The sun., 1884-01-10

| times say little bit more than tney
mean, especially when they want to bt
pleasant, yet there is truth at the bot
tom of what he says, forI am sure that
could save any man who really loved me
from being disappointed"
Toms blood boiled up against the
Irish doctor, ard against Dora's plain
draw her into Il tlrtation with him. lie
would thus be able to satisfy himself O.
her baseness.
"Yes," he assented, ~ can not doubt
it. But all men are not SC fortunate as t(
meet with women like you"
Here he drew his chair nearer tC
Dora's, and continued. softly: Il con-
fess that l have been unfortunate in
my experience. II l thought that
might h.pe 'or your sympathy"
surely, Mr.. Brdckett, it would be un-
womanly to refuse it to any one."
''Ah! If | really might hope for your
| sympathy" he went on, with well simu-
lated earnestness, "look for your regard
| and pity, and have such one as you to
live for, life, l 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 shoull you, who
| have seen SO little of him, and who even
| during those short five weeks discov-
| ered so many of his imperieetions, de-
vote yourself to long period of formal
widow whood in memory ofa man whom
| you do not respect? Why, indeed. my
dear Mrs. Brackett. when you can mean
| time make another happy, and bestow
| your sympathy and your love upon one
| who ctn value such gifts at their true
worth? ?"
Really; Mr.. Brackett," said Dora,
gently, rising from her seat. 81 was
scarcely prepared for this. l confess
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 q seat beside he r
and put his arm around her waist.
Dear Mrs. Racket" he said, ".may l
not call you py another manner l 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 moment; but his
"Dora, my own!" he cried-this time
with more earnestness than disslmula-
ton; SAY that you love me. even that
you will 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""
Yes" nurmured Mrs. Racket, softly
and hesitatingiy; 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 embrace. This
is terrible" he thought "Tnis places it
beyond doubt. She cannot possibly
love me now. Yet how | love her!
Good heavens. she is willing to give her
heart to the first stranger who asks her
for it. But cannot leave her without
kiss" And he control ed himself again.
Then you will be mine, my own, my
darling?" he cried. Dora! Dora" and
kneeling before her, he embraced her
fervently. Then he rose and stood up
light, while she remained with bowed
lead, and seemed to be weeping. AT
last lie summoned up courage to speak
once more. "Mrs. Racket" be ex-
claimed, sternly.
She looked up for an instant, and
having composed herself, faced him.
"Mrs. Racket" he said, what would
your husband SAY to this? You have
dissraced him."
Dora smiled imploringly, but meeting
with no responsive glance, from her Wis
itor, continued Toms sent,.nce by adj
ing, THAT is, provided he is absurdly
jealous"
''Not at ALL" returned Tom. ''Are
you not vicious woman?
81 be- your PARDON" said Dora, with
returning GOODNESS, "Dut ere you mar
ried2'
81? Well-unfortunately / am-at
present"
"Then, at all events" said Mrs. Rack
ett, ''the guilt, if guilt it be, of both oi
US is equal"
"Eo.ial?" sneer-d Mr.. Bracsett. "Ha!
ma. No true wife could behave as you
behaved just now"
Neither" answered D,ra could
any true husband act as you have act.
ed. Even if 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.
Tneir principles are too often the prin
cir1es of those they love-. But men
should nave more strength.
Weaknesses" commented Tom,
scornfully. ''Do you call filtration on
the part of a married woman little
weakness!'
son the contrary. It is. however, no
the part of a married man."
"You treat the matter with frivolity,"
said Mr.. Bracket, turning on his heel.
But you treat it illogcally," persisted
Dora. I'VE have just interchanged
pledges. Is this specimen of the mole
In which We intend to carry them out?'
Pooh! what is the value of a pledge
when given by such woman as yOu?'
Then why did you ask it?" demand
ed Mrs. Racket.
ain order" returned Tom, "that I
might assure myself that you are as vic
ious and worthless as | now know you
to be-"
Il might" said Dora, "applving SINH
lar reproaches to you if, in spite of all
that you have said, did not really love
you. And having told me that you love
me, you can not surely so soon contra
dict yourself"
Love you? 1 despise you? cried Tom.
But he silently added, ayes, do love
her" "No; you have opened my eyes.
L Cdu IeSpeCt you no longer, al tnSTo-
fore bad better leave you. Oh, Dora,
if you had been good woman? Good
by"
He approached her slowly. took her
hand, and having kissed it, kissed her
on the cheek, but their eyes did not
meet.
you are really going," said Dora.
Now? SO soon?"
"Yes; am so rry must go. 1t is for
the best; we col Md not be happy"
II think" murmured Mrs. Racket,
"that we might. would put up with a
great deal. | would not even care if you
were to fiirt again with the young ladies'
at Aden."
'.But I?'-and Tom nerved himself
for the parting. "Would you not uetray
me? No; | must go. Good-by." He
kissed her once more on the cheek, AMI
then moved slowly and silently toward
the door, where he stood for a moment.
Mrs; Racket sank upon the ottoman.
"Good-by," she said, "B t-Tom-"
Mr. Racket started. "Tcin?" he said l..
"Who-who told you my name was
Tom?''
ssIVho folJ ~, oc,, or;od MrS D,,l,otk