New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-17
II.

Addcnbroose was spending the evening as usual
with Lydin at st. Johns Wood. They were alone
together, Mrs Grey having dscrectly retired 10
her own room, and the talk between them flowed
with the ease OF intimacy and affection.
II was now three weeks since their engagement,
md alrcndy something OF AddenbroolSe's calm
happiness was beginning 10 DC reflected IN Lydia s
face She appreciated, whnt only women can ap-
preciate, the consciousness Of making nnOthers
happiness by the mere fact Of her presence. That
Is, think, pleasure too subtle for the masculine
palate. Now, as she laid her hand lightly on his,
She enjoyed, as IL were, reflection OF the delight
which she knew herself TO he comforting by the
act.
Johnny she said, will you let me tell you
tonight what have always meant 10 tell you
about myself and--that other person She
finished her phrase thus vaguely, not doubling
but that Addenbroole had mentally rounded IL
fused TO utter the name OF Lawrence Fleming.
Ny dear he answered gently, tell me moth.
know you have been very unhappy; but one
day, / assure you, you are going TO be happier
She smiled half sadly. Johnny, let me tell
you. ! think ought Perhaps, when you have
heard, you will want to go away from me-from
q woman who has been so cruelty Illuminated
He laughed, drawing closer to her IN the ire
p Since that's it, Lydia, perhaps you'd better
tell mel"
lie saw that she would never rest till she had
disburdened her mind OF the old, unhappy things,
about which personally he had small desire to
They were so infinitely touching, these poor
women and their love-stores; their anxious IN
terpretation OF looks and words and smiles their
pathetic, careful gathcring-up OF crumbs so care
leSslV scattered.
So Lydia. with half-averted face, began her story
In the strange uncertain voice which, from his
boyhood upward had had power to thrill John
AdGenbrooke 20 the Utmost depthS Oh ms Delng,
Meades' place in Warwickshire; / arrived on
March 2s, and stayed q week. 1t began from the
the beginning. When L walked INT, INTO
ing by The tea-table. IL seemed thai l had
walked into o new and strange and wonderful
world 1 lived In that world for week. and u
was like lifetime Looking back, IL astonishes
me how every one else at once accepted the stua-
ton. Then, no more questioned IL Than qnes-
toned the rising OF the sun. The day came when
was TO 20, and he had said nothing definite 10 me-
I, living in my FOOLS paradise, WIS neither sur
prised nor afraid. At last, an hour before left
he took me in his arms yes, Johnny, yes-he took
me in his arms and kissed my lips, aud told me
that he would follow me the next day;
That's enough" said Addenbrooke, in low
voice; he was o brute. Let us hsar no more
about him.
There IS nothing more TO hear she answered
with bitterness, that is the end OF my story. A
week later / heard he had gone abroad"
AddenbrooIe put his arm about Lydia, and,
drawing her head TO his shoulder stroked her hair
backward and forward with his kind hand
Her recital had panied him. lie knew the per-
ndy OF his sex, but this particular offender had
gone beyond all recognized limits limits which, in
his own person, Johnny had always refused to rec
ogniEe The thought OF the misery inflicted on
his proud sensitive, passionate Lydia made him
sick with anger and specchlcss with sympathy
He rose at last and, buttoning up his coat tried
TO speak In tones Of reassuriug cheerfulness
BY The by. Lydia, Fleming has come back
You remember Lawrence Flemingp They are
making quite Hon OF him on account OF his new
book. He's just the sort Of man to enjoy being
honized"
lydia looked at him, spcechless and he want
on. laet
! expect that he win be turning up &C nv
rooms in the course OF q day or two He kft a
portmanteau with my landady before he sailed.