Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-01-21

81 know" sarcastically; "a regular
consumptives' home. stopped over
there day and saw the procession-each
specimen about as cheerful to look upon
as the traditional Jobs turkey, that was
so poor it had to lean against a fence to
gobble. That's n nice, exhilarating place
to go to-"
"But there are plenty of other places"
impatiently Many people prefer Cali
fornia"
"Wen, | don't" doggedly. AN the
same" his voice softening tenderly, ''of
course I'll go if you say so, Nita."
Her heart, in it's heaviness seeming
starved for tenderness was somewhat
touched by the tone; her own pain had
made her pitiful In his selfish, sensual
fashion, as much as was in him to care
for anybody. Gray loved her, and this
now seemed the only love on earth she
could really count her own. 1t might
be wrong, but for the instant there was
a certain comfort in feeling that this, at
least, would never fail her
"You can see that it is best" she said
almost tenderly.
Eyes, best for us both that | should
go-and take you with me, Nita," with
quiet that belied the excited glitter in
his eyes stop! don't speak! listen to
me. dear You are moi happy, Mia;
saw it the moment set eyes on you, and
now know the reason. And why should
you suffer with it any longer? Let me
take you away. Why must all your life
be spoiled for one mistake? Do you know
what percentage of all marriages nova
days end in divorce? Other people cor
rect their blunders, and why should
not you? Get a divorce-it will be
easy enough-and be free to enjoy
your life in your own way. Don't
look at me like that. Nital Why will
you not be sensible: don't ask you to
marry mel ask nothing for myself,
Only let me take you away, let me pro-
vide for you. and you may live wherever
you like-as far from me as you please
why should you trouble to lie about
it like that!" demanded Anita brusquely,
eying him with fiery scorn. "As if
did not know that you are only hoping
to marry me when once that convenient
divorce is obtained! | wonder you are
so ready to scheme to get hold of second
hand goods.
Eyes, hope; why should be ashamed
to own itT' retorted Gray boldly. "Yet,
on my soul, dear, swear that if you
will but leave this man-whom you
don't love and who don't love YOU
She drew back as if she had been struck
"If you will but go with me now l will
never ask so much us touch of your fin
gers that you do not of your own accord
offer me-"
THAT is so ikely!" her eyes blazing
like stars with her scorn, "when | am
fairly black and blue now from your
compelling embraces, when it is not an
hour since you were brutally forcing me
to endure caresses that We're an insult to
my womanhood!"
Gray paled before her accusation, his
eyes shamefacedly falling. Il lost con-
troll Of myself for once, Nita; but you
ought to understand and not be too hard
on me-" he said, humbly. Cant you
believe me if | promise that it shall
never occur again."
"Oh, yes; | can well believe it will
never happen again" significantly eying
him with ineffable contempt,
"If you cared for me ever so little you
might twist me around your little fin
ger" murmured Gray tentatively.
Bah! don't care enough for you to
touch you with a pair of tongs!" she ex-
claimed, furiously. "To me you are
absolutely repulsive."
Gray's velvety black eyes were for an
instant brilliant with passion. What
possible good can it do you to try to hurt
me like that he demanded, turning upon
her in sharp reproach. You don't mean
it-don't | know your temper? But be-
cause you are in & fury at your husband,
who deserves it, why should you want to
be cruel to me, whose only fault is low
ing you too well-who would give my
life to make you happy"
81 suppose you would, Gray" she said
slowly, with pitiful, subdued air OF
sadness. But nothing you could dc
would make me happy-you must see
that. All you can do is to go away now
as ask you"
"Well, | will go, them" quietly, a
curious light in his eyes Il will leave
you to the mercies of that man for a
little while longer, until he shall teach
you to know the worth of love like
mine. think can trust him to do it
for me-with Mrs Rogers kind assist
ance," with a sardonic smile And
when you have learned the lesson, Nita,
remember that the old love is waiting
for you, always the same"