Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-11-02
CHAPTER TX.

mitted to the agreement.
The hours spent III 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 antagonism
to his better nature. His honest instincts
asserted themselves only to be stifed,
for his decision had been taken, his steps
set upon road that allowed no turning
back.
So fortnight dragged by, bringing
Christmas snow and green's to the town.
Chelsea square was a patch of crystal
brightness, the snow undisturbed in the
seminary grounds. The bells in the
chapel pealed gladly morning, noon and
night
But the benedictory chimes were 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 moment alone
with her. he relapsed into 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 mannerlsms-
" men Nlrsinia relneiliperea the KISS
burned her, and her pain changed to
ileI0e SCH eoiitenipl. IL was the lruit ol
n moments Dassino imDulse with him
and it had meant everything to her. He
had forgotten or set aside the unfinished
sentence that had shot like a rainbow
across hef NE LIE had iorgotten' ana
she had remembered, She had hugged
these thihgs 10 ner heart as memories
precious beyond words, half spoken
promise OF love that matched her own.
Furious pam wounded achlng PRIDE,
Jral, ss',o si,e ae' si1li netle
1aara ,,a,. H. - 80 ,' r p,1t 90
- -, ~ - .l' - a,a
"ANi- 80 90 49,. -, S''o ai.'
" as no 'iedseu' iee nilii nuIth her w eliis
olher slue % ms nature daily revealing
itself more fuiiy, but ne must not guess
siie mao dreamed OF that Wmch mlght
meyer pe iers'
Dut' oii' - ae1 iliii' SPEAK 70 ni,n' anu
noNeI ~ q sll5ie sianoe niiiiol .lle ni.i-
.iiiy ,iia. hep. siii5iilS ohe question ~
ner prall--, w Why--Why--Why mas he
cnahSeu. -tnls was pam Oh that cruei
ana particular KIND that dwarts IN It's
penetra.lhg torture .he ehoiurance re-
CURED ior larger grlels.
Anu worse 70 Dear .n'in al was iier
laUher assumption OF secret uhaer-
standlnS eAlstlhg between them.
Il say, now, you ana young Murray
are not quite SO indifferent to each other
as you'd have me belleve, are your he
asked her one morning as ne fingered
over ms paper ana cup OF chocolate.
Tom Will always be my friend,
hope" Virginia answered steadily, but
almost inaudibly.
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 nonsensel He was
IN love with you, Whatever he may be
now. just before that play OF ms was
put on, when he was on the tenter hooks
OF anxiety, | saw him watching you
many time. The tender passion re-
veals itself now just as it did when
suffered from 1t, and Tom looked sheep
lsh. dare say used TO look SO. know
my rivals always appeared SO to me
has anything changed him?
NO word CAME from Virginia's culver
ing lips. NO word could come.
"Ihen yen are not secretly betrothed
to hlmr
one Went huriledly 20 her fathers s sue,
ana holding ms arm tightly looked al
MN Win cry, burning eyes.
on must not fancy such thing.
am nothing to INN. On, You wouldn't
speak to MN about this, father! lou
wouldntl NO; lt would Kill me II you
dldr
'opeak e nun, = Y nat are you
talklnS ABOUT Am l lKeiy 10 90 so.
70 strike you as tnat sort ol person!
Inc man VINO wants 10 marry my dauSh-
Ter must sue Tor that honor"
He studied her face hard for moment
and his bps settled INTO thin, straight
line. The tragedy IN her dliated eyes
told hlm the truth, and naughty anger
against Tom awoke within him. Nir-
ginia's love won and thrown away
seemed an insignificant thing beside the
thought that any man should indulge in
uesultory lovemaking with his daughter
and then repent of it. His daughter
There lay the sting that was unbearable'
1t was after o'clock that night before
Tom entered the house. Delatole and
hewere to leave for visit to the south
IN the morning. he could no longer
postpone his going. But how to tel
themf How to say Goodbye Would Vir
ginia remain his friend2 Would she nm
derstand9 Oh..she must, she must. Ht
could not bear to think she would hate
or desplse him.
AS he walked slowly up stairs he mel
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
We're feverish, rapid-pohte regrets tol
his necessary departure, mingled with
recital OF his future plans.
Mr.. Kent heard him unmoved to the
end;
uons WISH TO Danuy any words VIII