Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-01-19

can't, MIA. L a man IQuSG 10
happy to be religious-to feel that he
has something to thank God for. But
for me, am not happy. Are you, NitaT'
"Ah, who isl" returned Anita senten-
tiously. ut is not necessary"
"No, but very desirable. And when
some of US can see SO clearly just what
is lacking to give US perfect happiness
when it seems as if one might almost
reach out his hand and take tit seems
little rough, don't you Think"
None of us know what is good for
u.s." returned Anita sagely, with shrug
of her shoulders.
'But we suffer just as much from baf
fed desire if we OILY think we know"
| persisted Gray, touching up the horses.
'And in that connection 1 have often
| wondered and now l want to know"
turning to her determinedly, eff you had
been left to make up your mind alone,
would you have married me?'
"Oh, Gray" in distressful embarrass-
ment, ''what is the use of raking up
that old AFFAIR."!
'And what is the harm, since it is an
old affair, past and done with? Call it
an idle curiosity if you like. don't see
why you should mind telling me now"
Il wish you would put on your over
coat, Gray. 1t is growing cold" nerv-
ously buttoning her jacket.
THAT is not answering my question"
(which you have no right to ask"
II know that" humbly, "but have so
longed to know. One thing" searching
her face eagerly, you do not say you
! would not"
mo; because stopping with a swift
blush as she saw whittier her words
tended.
"You wouldr' cried Gray, his face
aglow.
''Not at all. l did not say So" sharp
ly, but relenting a little as she met his
reproachful glance. There was only the
smallest possibility, the merest scrap of
chance, that if Uncle John had not
been so opposed to it, and Aunt Annie
had not preached in its favor so continu-
ally, that-well, perhaps l might"
"Oh, Mia, you dear, dear girl" with
passionate joy. IF you could under
stand what this small admission is to me,
you could not regret it. To think that
you really cared enough for me-
''But did not" she quickly protested,
frightened at the passion in his eyes. 81
never cared for you as much as you did
for me. l could not have pretended it
for a moment"
IF you cared quarter as much it was
enough" he doggedly retorted. ''You
cared enough to marry me; you have
owned that, Nita, and you can never
take it back. Nothing on earth can rob
me of that crumh of comfort now. You
would have been mine-mine, Nita, "
with sharp drawn breath, his fingers
closing on the reins as if he were hold
ing himself back from catching her in
his arms, land you would have been but
for that pack of meddlers-damn them!'
Don't, Gray. Can't you see that it
was all for the best?' in cool, dispassion-
ate reasoning. Il would have married
you for your money-to have had a hand
some home of my own-that is the truth
of the matter; and that sort of marriage
is always failure. 1t would have been
a cat and dog life we would have led to-
gether."
cit would have been heaven" he pas
sionately retorted. You would not
have married Inc if you had not been q
little fond of me, money or no money
know you better"
II wish you would put on your over
coat" she abruptly interposed.
Bother the overcoat!' with an un
steady laugh; "but of course you must
have your way
1--WE are almost there" she remarked
thinking to bring the conversation t.
safer ground, as he stopped the team tc
find the garment and put it on. From
the top of this hill we shall look dow
directly upon the park; and, do yor
know, / am beginning to think it il
rather poor place after all? l am al
: most sorry we came"
"Well, my anticipations were cop
pered to start with" he coolly returned
lifting the reins as if to turn the horse
around. "Let's go back"
> go back now!' cried Anita sharply
q laying remonstrant hand upon his arm
"What an idea"
> THE time to go back is when you dis
cover that You don't want to go ahead
J wherever you are or whatever the enter
!, prise. Life is too short to fool it ava,
!, ! going one way when inclination pull
Il you another" There was Il world o
. meaning in his tones, freighted witt
. passionate tenderness, his eyes CLOWN
. into hers. Come, Nita, can't we g
back?'
70 ''Of course not" brusquely, reachin
u for the whip in her impotence, to touc
10 the horses herself. Don't be a goose
y Gray"
- "Would you like to driver with sulk
" courtesy Offering the reins.
70 Opportunity at that moment, from
:. bride trail emerging upon the roa
, ahead, appeared three horseback rider
u Mrs. Rogers, her husband and cler
&c cal looking stranger. The lady and til
x doctor, after glance of recognition
u stopped to let the carriage overtaL
- them.
II ''Can it be actually you?" cried tn
10 vivacious little lady, all smiles and din
d pies, refining up beside them. Anita Wa
glad for even this interruption, greetin
70 her with unwonted cordiality.
T. 'And did you meet DOM"