The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-01-10

Ion. he isan lrlshnnan; and he mas told
me that no man could possibly be 'lisap-
pointed with Mrs. Racket. Fla! la!
OF course know that lrishmen soma.
times say little Git more than they
mean, especially when they want to be
pleasant. yet there is truth at the bot
tom of what he says, forI am sure that l
from being Disappointed"
Toms blood boiled up against the
Irish doctor, ard against Dora's plain.
speaking lie decided to try if he could
draw her into Irritation with him. lie
would thus be able to satisfy himself OF
her baseness:
Eyes," he assented, II can not doubt
1t. But all men are not SC fortunate as 10
meet with women like YOU"
Here he drew his chair nearer to
Dora's 9, and continued. softly: Il con-
TESS that have been unfortunate in
my experience. If thought that
might hspe Tor your sympathy"
''Surely, Mr.. Bracket, it would be un.
womanly to refuse it to any one.'
"Ah! If l really might hope for your
sympathy" he went on, with we'll simu-
lated earnestness, "look for your regard
and pity, and have such one as you to
live for, lie, assure you, would soon
assume new complexion to my eyes.
Let US be plain. Your husband, we
will suppose, is dead from his injuries,
poor fellow. But why should you, who
have seen so little Of him, and who even
during those short five weeks discov-
vote yourself to q long period Of formal
widow hood in memory ofa man WHOM,
you TO not respect? Why, indeed. my
dear Mrs. Brac&ett, when you can mean
time make another happy, and bestow
your sympathy aud your love upon one
who I'm value such gifts at their true
worth.?"
REALLY; Mr.. Brackett," said Dora,
gently, rising from her seat. II was
scarcely prepared for this. I cnnfes.
that feel the need of love such as
yours, but under such circumstances can
~ And overcome by her feelings, she
sank upon an ottoman and buried her
face in her hands.
Tom bent over her. This he thought
to himself. is my faithful and devoted
wife. Still, doubtful, however of his
conclusions. he took seat beside he r
AMI put his arm around her waist.
Dear Mrs. Racket" he said. ..may
not call you py another manner / love
you He Was holding her disengaged
hand, which certainly squeezed his
You may call me Dora," she said,
not, however, without hesitation.
Tom drew back tor u moment; but his
"Dora, my Own!" he crieu-this time
with more earnestness than disslmu'a-
ton; ''say that you love me. even that
YOU vii! try to love me. Forget the past.
Dora, do you love me?" and he seized
her hand and kissed it. "Do you love
me, my Own?"
les. nurmured Mrs. Racket, softly
and hesitating'y; but in a moment her
arms were around her husbands neck,
and she whispered, "You know do"
Tom started up from the ottoman and
freed himself from her eubrace. "rhis
is terrible" he thought. This places it
beyond doubt. She cannot possibly
love me now. Yet how love her!
Good heavens! she il willing to give her
heart to the first stranger who asks her
for it. But cannot leave her without 4
kiss" And lie control cd himself again.
"Ther you will be mine, my own, my
'larling?" ne cried. "Dora! Dora:" and
l;neeling before her, he embraced her
tervently. Then he rose and stood up
'ght, while she remained with bowed
,iead, and seemed to be weeping. At
last he summoned w courage to speak
once more. Mrs. Racket" he ex-
claimed, sternly.
She looked up for an instant, and
having composed herself. faced him.
"Mrs. Racket" he said. "wlat would
your husband cay to this? You have
dissraced him."
Dora smiled implorins'y, but meeting
with no responsive glance, from her Wis.,
itor, continued Toms sent nee by adj
ing. THAT is, provided he Is absurdly
Jealous"
"Not at ALL" returned Tom. :'Are
you not a vicious woman?'
Il be. your pardon" said Dora, with
returning GOODNESS, "Dut ere you mar
ried?'
"l2 Well-unfortunately i am-at
"rhen, at all events" said Mrs. Rack
EFT, 1.-THE guilt, if guilt it be, of both OF
US is equal"
'Eo:ial?" sneer-d Mr.. Bracket. "Ha!
na! No true wife could behave as you
behaved just now"
Neither" answered Dora could
any true husband act as you have act
ed. Even il you be cynical enough, to
believe that all women are vicious, you
do not better matters by encouraging
them, and by being vicious yourself.
Women are subject to little weaknesses.
Their principles are too often the prin-
cip1es of those they love. But men
should have more strength"
"Weaknessesw commented Tom,
scornfully. "Do you call Irritation on
the part @, Of a married woman a little
weakness!'
"On the contrary. It is. however, no
more reprehensible than filtration on
the part of a married man."
"You treat the matter with frivolity,"
said Mr.. Bracket, farming. on his heel.
But You treat it illogically," persisted
Dora. 1--WE have just interchanged
in which We intend TO carry them Out"
"Poohl what is the value Of pledge
when given 10y such a woman rs you?"
Then why did you ask it," demand
ed Mrs. Racket.
"In order" returned Tom, "that I
might assure myself th.t you are as vic
ious and worthless as now know you
to be-
II might" said Dora, "applying SINH.
lar reproachcs to you if, in spite Of all
t:Iat you have said, dill not realty love
you. And having told ,ue that you love
me, you can not surely SO sooa contra
dict Yourself"
Love You? despise you? criel Tom.
But he silently aided. "fes. do love
her" "No; you have opened my eyes.
I can respect yoa no longer, an there.
fore had better leave YOU. Oh, D,,rs,
it you had been god woman? Good
by."
He approached her slowly. took her
hand, an / havin, kissed it. k,ss,:d her
on the cheek, but their eyes did not
meet.
You are really going," said Dora.
Now? so soon?"
"Yes; ain sorry I must 60. Its for
the best; We conid not be happy"
II think" murmured Mrs. Racket,
'that We might. would put up with Il
great deal. | would not even care if you
were to tlirt again with the young ladies
at Allen"
'But I?'-and Tom nerved himself
for the parting. "Would you not nelray
me? No; I must 60. Good.by." Hs
kissed her once more on the CHI EEK, an
then moved slowly and silently toward
the door, where he sto III for q moment.
Mira Rarkntt sank nnn,, tho ,tt,,,nan