The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-13


There lay the sting that was unbearable.
1t was after o'clock that night before
Tom entered the house. Delatole and
he were to leave for visit to the south
in the morning. He could no longer
postpone his going. But how TO tell
them? How to say goodby? Would Vir-
ginia remain his friend? Would she un-
derstand? Oh. she must, she must. He
could not bear to think she would hate
or despise him.
AS he walked slowly up stairs he met
Mr.. Kent coming down. The old mans
greeting was chilling, but courteous.
Tom drew his breath hard and plunged
into explanations at once. The words
were feverish, rapid-polite regrets for
his necessary departure, mingled with a
recital of his future plans.
Mr.. Kent heard him unmoved to the
end.
IL don't wish to handy any words with
you, Mr.. Murray" he said in a calm, col
orless tone. "One thing i must say.
however. When ! was young, people
did not repay hospitality as you have
done. Pardon me, if you please. Don't
interrupt. Without plunging into stu.
pid detail am sure you understand me-
j will say goodby to you now. You cam
not go too quickly to please me. dare
say you will succeed. The sensitive and
forbearing man is often left in the back
ground, but men Of your stamp, never"
He passed down the hall, leaving Tom
hot and indignant. Had Virginia told
him, or did he only guess? 1t was i'm
possible to retaliate, impossible to tell
this selfish dreamer he had never been
his guest. Besides the words did rankle,
oh, so deeplyl for, though uttered from
a partially mistaken sense of wrong,
they were true. He had acted coward
ly part.
turned to the hall window, endeavoring
to conquer the quivering of his pulses
before facing Virginia.
1t had commenced to snow again. He
could hear the students practicing new
christmas hymn in the chapel opposite.
I'm q moment the years spent in the col
1ege, SO different from his present life,
passed in series of pictures before him,
and with them the thought Of all he owed
Virginia. But for her "The Worlds
Way" would never have been written.
Looking back, he saw how clearly her
companionship had nerved him to con-
tinual effort. Hers was the voice that
had urged him on, hers the dauntless
optimism that had sent rift of glory
into his darkest days.
An ache rose in his throat; the snow,
in the light from the open chapel door,
whirled mistily before him. Now that
he was actually going the thought that
he was leaving her was exquisite pain.
The familiar landmarks frowned an un-
bearable reproach.
what q fool / amr' he thought and
gave his shoulders an impatient shrug
"When I'm with Delatole, 1 see I've done
right. When I'm here-pshaw! what's the
use of these regrets? They lead nowhere.
] can't turn back. / must go on. I'll
never forget Virginia, we can be friends
still, aud some day, in year maybe,
when I'm sure of myself, If she but loves
me, all will somehow come right"
He went first to his own room and sat
down, looking before him in dazed way.
Would it all come right? Did he believe
that? Was he trying to deceive himself
ct the last? Then for the sake of action
and to keep thought away as much as
possible he put his clothes and books
In his trunk, locked and addressed it..
Even when that was done he hesitated.
A tumult seemed striving to tear his
heart asunder. His hands were like ice.
81 must go to her. Unjust. Why de.
lay longer?'
He found her leaning against the melo
deon, her fingers buried in the fur Of
the little white kitten he had often teased.
Her face was perfectly colorless. She
looked at him steadfastly, coldly and ut
tered no word. 1t was evident she had
heard his voice in the hall and was wait
ing for him.
There was long and painful silence.
The words that came throngihg to Toms
lips were those he dared not speak.
''You have come to say goodby," Vir.
ginia said abruptly, still bending upon
his face that full, disconcerting gaze. 81
heard all You said to father. There is
no need to go over it again."
She held out her hand, and he seized il
eagerly, only TO find it cold and unre.
sponsive. Oh, If she but uttered one
pleading word, one reproach, that he
might in some measure defend HIMSELF
But this chilling repose was wall which
shut him away from her.
do not misjudge me-" he burst out
passionately, his voice broken, and at the
words she looked away. II am going
away for time 10 work hard, very
hard. And want to believe that your
good wishes go with me, that you still re-
main my friend"
No reply, but her eyes were upon him
again, as eloquent with reproach as tho
eyes of tho murdered Cesar gazing on
the fnce OF Brutus.
That look told all. He felt IL in hi.
inmost heart. He knew himself con
teinptible. But Delatole's worldly wise
humorously cynical counsel was with
him, impressive and significant as the