Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-22


to pygmy insignifcance. Anita saw
only Donald.
who was it," she whispered, who
its amusementsy'
II am glad to say that 1 never knew
the cynic." flashing II grateful glance at
her. All this evening she had not
vonchsafed him a word before. But he
could never have meant this sort of
thing am enjoying this immensely;
aren't your
ION the same principle that a friend
of mine enjoys her cold shower baths
she finds it such a delightful relief when
one is over aud she is safely out of it."
Donald abruptly made his way across
the room Excuse me, Anita, but l
have had long. hard day, and | feel
completely used up" his looks lending
emphasis to the words. 81 am sorry to
disturb you, but really think | must
turn in"
What! so soon" staring up at him
with smiling indifference. "Well. don't
let Inc detain YOU"
1t had seemed to Donald simply a
matter of course that she would go with
him; but, like Byron's Jack Buntline,
HE knew not what to say. and so he
/ swore," in his heart, as many an oath is
uttered, while he retreated with what
grace he might.
When Anita entered her room, a
couple of hours later she found him
still sitting in the small, comfortless
bedroom rocking chair, moodily tinting
the air of the room blue with cigar smoke.
What! not gone to bed yet? Thought
you would have been asleep an hour
ago." she CarelesSly remarked shifting
the air with dainty show of scorn.
81 waited for you," he said simply.
But I'm afraid this smoke is too much
for you. had not realized that it was
quite so bad"
"Oh, it is SO kind of you to speak of
itw a subacid of sarcasm in her voice.
In fact, she did not dislike cigar smoke
in the least, but it suited her mood to
make grievance Of the matter.
/ You mean that | ought to have con-
sidered the consequences sooner; indeed,
you are right" with genuine contrition.
II will open the window as soon as the
light is out. 1 am awfully sorry."
"Oh, don't speak of it," with perfume
tory politeness. She was slipping brisk
! ~ OuI Vi lSI S1OLuS5 AOud10 WdICuGu
her for few moments in silence.
And so you have been putting in
your time flirting with your cousin?" A
dozen beginnings he had framed in his
mind for what he had to say, yet when
he came to speak he bitterly hurled his
thought at her, with no picking of words.
did Mrs. Rogers tell you that?" look
ing up at him with a nonchalant smile,
as she sat deliberately brushing her long
hair, IF she did, it was a somewhat
curious coincidence, don't you think,
that Gray should have limited to me,
only this evening, that you seemed to be
putting in your time flirting with Mrs
Rogers"
THAT is not answering my question, :"
with stern insistence. 81 want to know"
Want to know WHAT" her lips curl
ing in slow, amused smile. Only she
could know what the effort cost her
II want to know if you have been let
ting your cousin make love to your"
oh" with a soft laugh, mocking, ex-
asperating. and don't you think-all
things considered-thats such a question
from you is rather-well, peculiar, to say
the least?'
Peculiar enough; but insist upon an
answer all the same"
And suppose-to be equally peculiar
Il should turn about and ask if you have
been making love to Mrs. Rogers?"
'"Then l should most emphatically an
swer, No"
"Ah! L thank thee, Jew, for teaching
me that word" Again that low, mock
ing laugh Then l, too, answer, Mo- ;"
ut is lier' he retorted roughly.
There is no use beating about the bush,
Nita. saw you before you saw me,
over there in the woods this afternoon,
and-it seems impossible even now-Dut
with my own eyes 1 saw your cousins
arms around you, saw him kissing you.
and-you kiss him."
For an instant she seemed startled out
of her angry composure, but only for an
| instant.
ooh, did your she nonchalantly an
swered "Well, as you once pithily re-
marked when we were discussing your
friend Mrs. Rogers, that sort of thing is
very commonly done, you know"
"And is that all you have to say?" a
hard, steely glitter in his eyes
Nothing else seems to occur to me
just now" coolly dividing her hair into
parts for bralding.
She was one of those women who I'M
adorned are most seductively fair. Now,
leaning lazily back in the low rocking
chair, her tapering form softly outlined
under the scant folds of her long white
gown, the hair she had been brushing
touching the floor, as with flushed cheeks
and sparkling eyes she looked up at him,
the man must have been blind who would
not have been moved by her beauty.
"See here, Nita," he said gently, even
pleadingly, ~ don't want to be hard OF
unjust | thought you different from
other women, but we are all human. ]
could not for moment think you guilty
of anything really wrong, and can find
excuses for you if you have been a little
foolish. Your cousin was in love with
you once, and of all men ought not to
be surprised if he has not gotten over it.
| And he is sick: the moor wretch has n leo