Evening journal., 1892-11-08

VENING JOURNAL WI
starved for tenderness. was somewh1i
touched by the tone; her own pain hat
made her ptiful In his selfish, sensua
fashion. as much as was IN him 20 car
for anybody. Gray loved her and thi
now seemed the only love on earth sl
could really count her own 1t mish
De wrong. but for the instant there was
a certain comfort in feeling that this, az
least. would never fail her
"You can see that it is best. she said
almost tenderly
"Yes, best for rs both that / should
go-and take you with me, Nita,' with
a quiet that belied the excited glitter in
his eyes. "Stopl don't speaE listen to
me, dear. You are not happy, Nita; !
saw il 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 you2 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? 1 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 obtainedl wonder you are
so ready to scheme to get hold of second
/ hand goods.
"Yes, hope; why should Ibe ashamed
to own it," 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 | will
never ask so much as a touch of your fin.
gers that you do not Of your own accord
offer me"
THAT is so hkelyr her eyes blazing
like stars with her scorn, "when | am
fairly black and blue now from youi
compelling embraces, when it is not al
hour since you were brutally forcing ms
to endure caresses that were an insult tC
my womanhoodw
Gray paled before her accusation, his
eyes shamefacedly falling. Il lost con
troll of myself for once, Nita; but yot
ought to understand and not be too hare
on me" he said, humbly Cant yoI
believe me if | promise that it shal
never occur againy"
"Oh, yes, I can well believe it viii
never happen again" significantly eyinl
him with ineffable contempt
"lf you cared for me ever so little yoJ
might twist me around your little fin
ger, murmured Gray tentatively
"Bahl don't care enough for you II
touch you with pair of tongsl" she ex
claimed, furiously. ITO me you ar
absolutely repulsive."
Gray's velvety black eyes were for al
instant brilliant with passion. "Wha
possible good can it do you to try to hur
me like thaty' he demanded, turning upo
her in sharp reproach. you don't mea
it-don't know your temper: But be
cause you are in a fury at your husband
who deserves it, why should you want {
be cruel to me, whose only fault is lo'
ing you too well-who would give N
life to make you happy"
81 suppose you would, Gray" she sal
slowly, with a pitiful, subdued air {
sadness. "But nothing you could
would make me happy-you must Sc
that. All you can do is to go away now
as ask you.
"Well, viii go, then" quietly,
curious light in his eyes. 81 win leav
you to the mercies Of that man for
little while longer, until he shall teac
you to know the worth Of love liB
mine think can trust him TO do
for me-with Mrs. Rogers kind assis
ance," with a sardonic smile "An
when you have learned the lesson, Nit'
remember that the old love is waitin
for you. always the same"