Evening journal., 1892-11-08

nothing. But bney must nave lull tA-
Donald must know what he
had made her suffer, and how nearly Sc
rious the consequences had been. He
must offer what reasons and excuses he
might to soften the memory Of it, and
give her promises that would remove all
her lurking fears Her joy could not be
perfect until they had come to a perfect
understanding. But-a sudden chill
falling upon her-must she, on her side,
be wholly frank? Must she tell the
whole story of Gray's miserable infatua-
ton?
In all the novels she had read, the good
wife in similar circumstances always told
her husband all, thereby generally in.
volving all concerned in no end of trou-
blesoine complications, which, however
useful to promote the novelist's plot
must be remarkably unpleasant in real
life. And in the present instance, Anita
anxiously reasoned, what good end would
be served? Donald might blame her
and, indeed, would he be wholly wrong
when. knowing Gray her lover still, she
had brought him on that forty mile
avowal. she had not sent him away9
There was no getting around the fact
that she had behaved with childish i'm
prudence. to use no harsher term And
the shame Of confessing It'll And then
the Indignation Gray's course must ex-
cite Donald was not easily moved to
anger. but his temper once reused was
fierce as the summer thnnder storm, all
the more startling from contrast with
the warm, smiling sunshine of the hour
before There might be a terrible scene
between these men. and to what pur
poser
Donald could have no suspicion now
rapidly reviewing the situation under
the trees. while her wrath at Gray
famed up afresh No. the boughs had
hung too low-the shameful scene was
hidden And why should she drag it
forth? A vulgar paraphrase Of the old
adage came into her mind: Honesty may
be the best policy. but to give ones self
away is always the worst. The pithy
sentence seemed to her replete with good
common sense. 1t seemed in every way
reasonable and best that she should not
give herself away"
The rain had ceased before they
reached the ranch Donald lifted his
wife down upon the piazza, and then
sprang upon the saddle himself again.
81 have a small package for DR.. Rogers,
be said listlessly, "and ! think I'll ride
over right now between the showers
Ny horse is quite fresh"
WHAT now? exclaimed Anita in a
high, displeased tone. you are all wet
and tired out. You can send the pack
age perfectly we'll"
mo, have some messages for him
too must see him myself, and may
as well go now and get the thing done
with He was longing to get away by
himself. to gain time TO look this strange
new trouble in the face and measure its
meaning. "a won't be gone long" he
added ifelessly.
"Oh, don't think Of hurrying on my
account" her eyes flashing angrily, the
telltale red flaming on her cheeks "Gray
won't mind trying to keep my spirits up
will your" laying her hand falniliarly
on his sleeve. smiling brightly as she
met his eyes with a coquettish glance.
He has made a wonderful success of It
this week, l can assure you, with care
less nod at Donald, as without another
word, he rode away
The brilliant smile was gone, leaving
hard white face, with anger burning
! like Goals in her eyes Gray looked al
her compassionately as hesilently walked
beside her, following her quick, nervous
march up and down the deserted piazza
Everybody seems tc be having sup
per he remarked with studied careless
! ness presently Had we not better get
into dry clothes and have ours, or viii
you wait for Donald|
She laughed-a hard, mirthless sound
well. five want any supper ut all
think we would better not leave it TO am
such remote contingency as that.
And yet-you have not had enough
of it. " mur1Yured Gray, with quiet sig
uincance Her lip quivered pitifully
Enoughl was it not enough that he
heart was aching with distinct physica
pain, as clearly defined as "A toothache
And then. with swift change Of feel
ing, she was filed with fury at Gray
With all the tender pity that spoke il
his eyes. she knew that in his heart hi
was exulting that. in this first hour o
their meeting, her husband had left he
to seek another woman. that he wa
even glad Of her pain, hoping it wOul'
turn her the more 70 him
Look here. Gray" she said abruptly
standing still II want you to go ava,
at once 90 to California-Alaska-
anywhere, so long ~ you go.
MY doctor told me to stay in Colo
rado, he coolly retorted AS he ha,
cleverly calculated, she was immediate
ly softened somewhat by this allusion q
bis weakness To drive him away, pei
haps 10 die among strangers there di
seem certain cruelty about it, Ye
there was no alternative
But there are other places, she sug
gested gently There is Colorad
Springs--a lovely place So many pee
pie go there.
Il know" sarcastically. "A regula
consumptives home | stopped Owe
there IA day and saw the procession-
specimen about as cheerful TO look upo