Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-03-28

GlCGtted it courteOustU.
On the way up from Virginia, Nesbit
Thorne ran over in his mind the posi-
bilities opened by this new move of his
wife's, and on the whole he was salts
fed. The divorce had become as much
an object with him rs with her, and if
she had remained Quiescent in the mat
ter he must have moved. He was glad
to have been spared this-very glad that
the initial steps had been Of her taking.
It put him in good position with him
self. The names of his mothers scruples
would be satisfied, and would never
cause him discomfort, since the fault
did not rest with him.. And then the
boy-never could his son cast word or
thought of blame to the father who had
behaved so we'll; who had given every
chance, foregone every advantages; acted
not only the part Of a gentleman, but of
generous, long suffering man. Thorne
felt glow of satisfaction in the knowl-
edge that in years to come his son would
think we'll of him.
But this supposition of Norma's in re-
gard to IA second marriage put the whole
matter in a new light in regard to the
child. If such change should be in con-
temptation, other arrangements must be
made about the boy; he could no longer
remain in the custody of his mother
His son could not remain under the roof
of his wife's second husband during his
own lifetime. The line must be drawn
somewhere. 1t did not occur to Thorne
that his wife, with equal justice, might
raise similar objections.
He determined to see Ethel at once
and discover whether or not there was
truth i'll the reports that had reached
him anent Cecil Cumberland. If there
should be he would bring such pressure
as lay in his power to bear on her in Or
der to obtain immediate possession of the
boy. The child was still so young that
the law gave the mother rights which
could only be set aside at the expense of
u disagreeahle suit; but Thorne thought
he could manage Ethel in such way as
to make her voluntarily surrender her
rights. He knew that her affection for
the child was neither deep nor strong.
He assembled the steps of his own house
and rang the bell sharply. It was an
swered by strange servant, who re-
garded him with interest; evidently a
gentleman caller at that hour of the
morning was unusual. Was Mrs. Thorne
at home? The man would inquire.
Would the gentleman walk in? What
name should he say? Mr.. Thorne-and
his business was pressing; he must see
her at once.
The man opened the door of the back
parlor and stood aside to let Mr.. Thorne
pass; then he closed it nyiselessly and
proceeded up stairs to inform his mis-
| tress
Thorne glanced around the room curl
ously; it was two years since he had seen
it. On the marble hearth burned bright
wood fire, and the dancing flames re-
flected themselves in the FURNISHED
brasses The tiles around the fireplace
were souvenirs of his wedding, hand
painted by bevy of bridesmaids to
please fancy Of Ethel's. Norma's was
in the center-the place of honor. 1t was
q strange thing that Norma had selected
to paint; heavy sprays of mingled night.
shade and monkshood on ground the
color of n fading leaf; but, strange as II
was, it was the most beautiful Of them
all. There were flowers in the room, and
the perfume of heliotrope and roses filled
the air. The piano was open and on II
one of the popular songs of the day; &
loud, garish thing. Ethel liked what she
called bright music" on the keys lay
a tumbled lace handkerchief, and on thu
floor close to the pedal Of the instrument
was a mans driving glove.
Over the piano hung the portrait of 1
lady with soft, gray hair, and the ex
preston of purity and love which me
dieval painters gave to their saints.
was q picture of Thorne's mother and
hurt him to see it there. He determined
to have it removed as soon as possible.
The door opened and Mrs. Thorno en-
tered, feeling herself terribly i'll used ant
Z HSrsecuted, in that her husband hat
0 Elected to come to her in person, insteat
of availing himself of the simpler an
more agreeable mode of communicated
' through their lawyers. 1t was quit
possible that he would make himsel
disagreeable. Mrs. Thorne shrank fror
anything disagreeable, and had no tolel
/. ance for sarcasms addressed to herself
She would have refused the interview
had she dared, but in her heart she wa
= dimly afraid OF her husband.
Thorne bowed coldly, and then place
q chair for her on the hearth rug. Isl
down." he said, "I want to talk to you,
and then he seated himself opposite hel
For awhile he did not speak; some
how the words he had come to say stuc
in his throat; it was so cold blooded fo
them, husband and wife, to sit there b.
side their own hearth and discuss thei
final separation. A log, which ha
burned in half, fell and rolled forwar
on the marble hearth, sending little puff
Of gray smoke into the room. He reache
past her for the tongs and laid the 10
back in its place, and the little actio
seemed to seal his lips more closely. tt
tiny clock ON the carved oak mantl
chimed the hour In soft, low tones; b
eoppted the strokes 20 they fell. on