Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-12-07

CHAPTER N.
Day by day the breach widened be-
tween the life Tom had led and the one
newly opening before him. The atelier
had been transformed into an eastern
nest, fragrant, harmonious. He had
given Delatole the money that paid the
bills. had also advanced half Il years rent
for the suite and stood hopelessly com
mitted TO the agreement.
The hours spent i'll Chelsea square
were like the rigor of an unsought pen
ancc, but the days drifted on while his
new home awaited him, and still he
could not find the courage to cut the old
ties. He WAS i'll continual antagonism
TO his better nature. His honest instincts
asserted themselves only to be stifled,
for his decision had been taken, his steps
set upon 4 road that allowed no turning
back.
50 a fortnight dragged by, bringing
Christmas snow and greens to the town.
Chelsea square wis patch of crystal
brightness, the snow uhdisturbed in the
seminary grounds. The bells in the
chapel pealed gladly morning, noon and
night.
But the benedictory chimes We're like
lnoCkery 10 Virginia. These days, when
every window and shop gave'evidence of
Christmas cheer. We're black and cold to
her. Tom was changed. He avoided
her eyes. When left for moment alone
with her he rclapsed into constrained
silence. His life became daily more ir-
regular. his IIDods more uncertain. The
simplicity that matched his blue eyes
was slowly vanishing before new, insin-
cere mann, risms.
When Virginia remembered the kiss
that had opened paradise to her, shame
burned her. and her pain changed to
fierce self contempt. 1t waS the fruit of
moments passing impulse with him,
and Ii had meant everything 10 her. He
had forgotten or set aside the unfinished
sentence that had shot like rainbow
across her life. He had forgotten, and
she had remembered. She had Rugged
these things to her heart as memories
precious beyond words. 4 half spoken
promise of Il love that matched her own.
Furious pain, wounded. aching pride,
sometimes made the defiant little head
droul wrarily and passion Of wild sobs
leave her lips in stitled cry. But only
when she was alon" Let him come and
go rs he pleased. let him hurt her by this
other side of his nature daily revealing
itself more fully. but he must not guess
she had dreamed of that which might
never be hers
But, oh, to see him. speak to him, and
never by q single glance mirror the mu-
tiny that kept singing one question in
her "Why-why-why has he
changed" -this was pain of that cruel
and particular kind that dwarfs III its
penetrating torture the endurance re
quired for larger gricfs.
And worse to bear than all WAS her
fathers assumption of secret under
standing existing between them.
Il say, now. YOU and young Murray
are not qnite so Indifferent to each other
rs You'd have me believe, are you:" he
asked her one morning rs he fingered
over his paper and cup of chocolate.
Tom will always be my friend, l
hope" Virginia answered steadily. but
almost inaudibly.
Mr.. Kent gave n sharp side glance Mt
her pale face and Il shrug
Won don't mean to say there's moth
ing else? Stuff and nonsense! He was
i'll love with you, whatever he may be
now. just before that play of his was
put on, when he was on the tentcr hooks
of anxiety, l saw him watching you
many a time The tender passion re-
veals itself now just as it did when
suffered from it, and Tom looked sheep
ish. dare say used to look so. know
my rivals always appeared so to me.
Has anything changed him."
No word came from Nirginia's culver
ing lips. No word could come.
Then yOu are not secretly betrothed
20 him:'
She went hurriedly 20 her fathers side,
and holding his arm tightly looked at
Kim with dry, burning eyes.
Won must not fancy such i thing.
am nothing TO him. Oh, You wouldn't
speak TO him about this, father! Nou
wouldn't! No; it would kill me if You
didr'
Speak to him? 1: What are You
talking about? Am l likely TO do 50?
Do l strike you as that sort of person?
The man who wants to marry my daugh-
ter must sue for that honor"
He studied her face hard for moment,
and his lips settled into 4 thin, straight
line. The tragedy i'll her dilated eyes
told him the truth. and naughty anger
against Tom awoke within him. Nir-
ginias love won and thrown away
seemed an insignificant thing beside the
thought that any man should indulge in
desultOry lovemakinG with his daughter
and then repent of it. His daughter
There lay the sting that was unbearablc.
1t was after s o'clock that night before
Tom entered the house. Delatole and
he We're to leave for Il visit to the south
in the morning. He could no longer
/ postpone his going. But how to tel
/ them? How to say goodby? Would Nir
/ ginia remain his friend? Would she I'M
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 me-
Mr.. Kent coming down. The old man:
greeting was chilling, but courteous
Tom drew his breath hard and plunged
into explanations at once. The word
were feverish, rapid-polite regrets fo
his necessary departure, mingled with
recital of his future plans.
Mr.. Kent heard him unmoved to tn
end
Il don't wish to handy any words will
you, Mr. Murray" he said in calm, col
orless tone. ''One thing 1 must say
however. When 1 was young, peopl
did not repay hospitality as you hav
done Pardon me, if you please. Don
interrupt. Without plunging into stu
pid detail am sure you understand me
will say goodby to you now. You can
not go too quickly to please me. l dar
say You will succeed. The sensitive an
forbearing man is often left in the back
ground, but nen of Your stamp, never.
He passed down the hall, leaving Tor
hot and indignant. Had Nirpinin toll