The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-24
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
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 years rent
for the suite and stood hopelessly COM
mitted to the agreement
The hours spent in Chelsea square
were like the rigor of an unsought pen
ance, 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 in continual antagonisn
to his better nature. His honest instincts
asserted themselves only to be stifed,
for his decision had been taken, his steps
set upon a road that allowed no turning
| back
So fortnight dragged by, bringing
| Christmas snow and greens to the town.
Chelsea square was IL patch of crystal
brightness, the snow undi:;turbed in the
seminary grounds. The bells in the
chapel pealed gladly morning, noon and
night.
But the benedictory chimes We're like
mockery to 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 Il moment alone
with her, lie relapsed into u constrained
silence. His life became daily more ir-
regular, his moods more uncertain The
simplicity that matched his blue eyes
was slowly vanishing before new, insin-
cere mannerisms.
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
a moments passing impulse with him,
and it had meant everything to her. He
had forgotten or set aside the unfinished
sentence that had shot like rainbow
across her life He had forgotten, ant
she had remembered. She had Rugged
these things to her heart as memories
| precious beyond words, half spoken
promise of love that matched her own.
Furious pain, wounded, aching pride,
sometimes made the defiant little head
droop YEARLY and passion of wild sobs
leave her lips in a stifed cry. But only
when she was alone. Let him come and
go as 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 single glance mirror the mu.
tiny that kept singing one question in
her NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. has he
changed:'-this was pain of that cruel
and particular kind that dwarfs in its
penetrating torture the endurance re.
quired for.larger griefs.
And worse to bear than all was he1
fathers assumption of SECRET under
standing existing between them.
Il say, now, you and young Murray
are not quite so Indifferent to each other
as you'd have me believe, are your" he
asked her one morning as he fingered
over his paper and cup of chocolate
"Tom will always be my friend, !
hope" Virginia answered steadily, but
almost inaudibly.
r; Mr.. Kent gave sharp side glance at
her pale face and shrug.
"You don't mean to say there's moth.
ing else? Stuff and nonsense! He was
| IL AOFO WIFI you, whatever no may DE
now. Just before that play of his was
put on, when he was on the tenter hooks
of anxiety, saw him watching you
many time. The tender passion re-
yeals itself now just as it did when /
suffered from it, and Tom looked sheep
ish. Idare say used to look so. Iknow
my rivals always appeared so to me
Has anything changed him?"
No word came from Virginias CULVER
ing lips. No word could come.
"Then. you are not secretly betrothed
to himf"
She went hurriedly to her fathers side
and holding his arm tightly looked at
him with dry, burning eyes.
"You must not fancy such thing. |
am nothing to him. Oh. you wouldn't
speak to him about this, fatherl You
wouldn't No; it would kill me if YOU
| didp
Speak to him2 /? What are Won
talking about? Am I likely to do so?
Do 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 a moment.
and his lips settled into thin, straight
line. The tragedy in her dilated eyes
told him the truth, and naughty anger
against Tom awoke within him. yir-
ginia's love won and thrown away