Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-21
TWO DAYS IN HIS LIFE


him. lie was conscious that, here ana
there. an acquaintance passing him
avoided meeting his eve; that along
pall-Mall men in the clubs pointed HIM
ont 10 one another; that rs ho passed he
left them discussing the story oil the
papers and weighing probsbiiiues LOT
snd against him.
Nothing made him hasten. He walked
deliberately, with a preoccupied, med-
tative air, M Waterloo Place, along nc
cadilly, and through some qnleter streets
10 a small gray house ina terrace near
HYDE Park. The October afternoon was
closing in when he reached his destlna-
t;on there was chill, raw feeling IN
the arr the lines of the housetops were
Obscure in the gay wintry evening hight.
In the house before which he stood no
blinds were drawn, no lamps were Int,
but FIRE was burning in downstairs
room. and the ruday, dancing hight look
ed warm and kindly.
The maid servant who came 10 the
door admitted him in silence.
ais Miss Arthur alone?" he asked,
ss he crossed the hall.
"Yes, sir.
SHOWN stairs ?" he demanded.
"ln the study-yes, sir.
al can find her.
His tone was peremptory, chill, IN
GENIAL. lie was man who had no atmos-
phere OF cheeriness and kindliness about
him. Servants who did his bidding did 1t
erudgingly poor folks who came 10
him ignorantly with sorrowful tales at
the fret sight of his face. at the iirst
sound of his voice, grew reticent chill
dren who stumbled by mistake IN his
path picked themselves up forlornly,
with a crushing sense OF being annoy
ances-little nuisances III the world.
He crossed the hall to room which
Adorned the hall-the downstairs room
where the freight was shining-Mary
Arthur's study and sitting-room. Mary
expected him tonight. 1t was many
days now SINCE he had been TO see her.
While this scandal in which his name
was involved wss new he had stayed away,
waiting for the issue-waiting for men
yerdicts. Nothing had been proved
against him, nothing could be proved {;
but suspicion still chung to him. lie
could not remove men's suspicious. lie
had written to Mary. as he had felt bound
10 do, and had offered 10 release her from
her engagement to him. His name was
dishonored ho had no right to ask her
to share the dishonor be set her free.
The letter was heroic the generous
sentiments II expressed afforded HIM viz
tuous satisfaction. And to-day mary
answer had come. She refused to be re-
leased. Was she only fit to be fair
weather wife, to share the better with
him and desert him when "worse days
hefell &? She would not accept her
freedom. She had been waiting for
him--would he not come and see her
He had smiled little as he read the
answer. 1t was what be had looked for,
eli had happened as he could have fore
told. What was outside his calculations
was this feeling of trepidation, OF doubt
and uneasiness, that suddenly oppressed
him now that his interview with Mary
WAS at hand. lie paused at the study
door and Knocked. There was a quick
movement within the room and bis lips
relaxed a little-Dlary Was eager, then,
20 meet him. "Come in" she said, and
the voice that invited him WAS clear and
musical His face, silent-looking still,
wore kindlier expression as he entered.
The study was bright with tirelight-
warm, cheerful, home-like. 1t was a
voman's room-a room where even dis
order had q grace of its own and was
pleasing. There were low book-shelves
along the walls, and the shelves were
lined with a eoodly, motley company.
Rossetti, spick and span, stood wedged
upright by a battered, tattered little
Burns in a brown plebisn coat; Ruskin
and John Stuart Mill had space enough
and TO spare all around them, and,
for lack of company, slanted
socially to one another; Miss Austen IN
white parchment looked genteel and
seemly. but it was surely an unkind fate
that had robed poor Charlotte Bronte IN
Haunting green and had given her Miss
Austen TO prop her upright constantly.
Above the book shelves were many
pretty odds and ends OF china and pot
fery. In one corner of the room was a
writing-table with papers on 1t, books
living open, and flowers arranged taste
fully in pretty bowl. A piano stood
open. A little dainty child's plnafore
Law unfinished On a chair with the needle
shining in the firelight
Fielding's face flushed as he met
Mary. She came silently but smilingly
toward him and put her hands in bis
without a word. AS he held them.
he drew her nearer him, and stopped
and kissed her tenderly, almost reve-
rentfy. He wondered at himself the
while-not for daring to kiss her, but
for the reverence of the kiss. 1t was o
very sileut meeting. But the gray eyes
that met bis said much they reproached
him, but the reproach was loving they
were full Of solicitude, questioning his
face to seek signs of worry and trouble
they were glad, too, because he was here.
His own eyes fell.
~ knew you would come this eve
ming" she said gently. 81 was listen
ing for yon.
eyes. You babe me come" ne re-
piled.
There was minutes silence. Mary
vert to the fire and stood before 1t,
looking up at him with sweet, womanly
solieiiaae as be stood beside her. Hii
ewes travelled over her person ap'
provingly. He delighted II her beauty
in that well-shaped brow OF hers, thai
delicate cheek aud chin, the flowing
graceful lines Of her figure, the gracious
poise OF her head, the soft, abundant
hair. which the freight touched anc
made golden. Her face was fair anc
gentle. You RAW it once and were ready
thenceiorth 10 stake your soul on bel
truth and goodness. A pessimist looking
in her eyes must think a little better o
the world. There was wonderful
charm about her, sweet directness 0
glance and speech, quiet, simple
dignity not easy to describe.
II got your letter." he said at last
and he looked sway from her as he spok'
ut the lights and shadows on the rug a
his feet-"your generous letter, Mary
Yes, let me cali il generous.
"Yom letter hurtme," returned Mar,
= Nh.t I'D