The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1893-06-24

-nr,rr,,dEsE MIX this hour? The
$ 81 erb must be
ni,nble to escape so early q bird!''
'sGoing to Philadelphia, Ed-business
trip" Albert Harley answered shortly,
not looking up from his breakfast in
the club-dining room, as Edgar Vane
sat down opposite and picked up the
carte. But he studied his friends
clouded face over Its edge, though he
retorted lightly:
t'Case must be a criminal one, Bert;
for you certainly don't look festive.
Woman in it, of course?''
mo; but a woman is cause OF my
leaving home for mess lilse this!' Har-
ley pushed back his plate and stood be
fore the other, as he added: ED, I
made a mistake to marry!'
'You really astound me!'' Edgar Vane
said, quietly; but a dark CLEAN crcpt to
his eyes, and color stole over his sallow
cheek, over the Van Dyke beard. 'You
do not mean that Mabel is
''All at fault? No. Harley broke in.
'But there are a million of petty trifles
in married life that none may dream of
without experience. God knows would
speak SO to no other man living! But
you, Ed, were my college chum, Ma
bells oldest friend-our 1sroomsman! l
tell you, the first year of my married
life was heaven; this last has been hell!
but must speak. Mercst trifes-very-
nothinSs-comc between I am alb
sorbcd in the law; Mabel worn and rest
less from ceaseleSs round of society. I
know what you would say: faults on
both sides. Granted; but if neither will
acknowledge any fault. there is no way
to peace. Old friend, my dream is over;
and''-his voice shook; he swallowed
something in his throat-'God help her!
l fear hers is over. tOO!'
'''Tut! my boy; you have let yourself
grow morbid
II have not!'' The other turned half
fiercely on him. 81 have fought-yes, I
have prayed-against this thing! I
know I love Mabel; l am sure she loves
me-sometimcs! only fear She does not
know what real love is-that she never
did KNOW
Vane's even, white teeth held his lip
firm, and he studied the menu attcn-
he said:
probably not. You We're Il great
catch, Bert. Good looks, family and
fortune daze Il girl
''1:ut not--a lady!'' the other broke in.
why Ed, she had refused a dozen
richer menu
''Ies; women are riddles!' Vane an
swcrcd in deeper voice. by the time
you come back she'll change again.
''God grant it! l return at"
''Cabnan says just time to catch the
train, SIR the servant said, and Har-
ley .vrung the others hand as he cried:
''Good-by, old boy! Forget what
said. Well talk no more of it-yet!''
Left alone, Edgar Nanc forgot to or
der his breakfast, still staring steadily
at the menu. But his eyes looked over
its edge into the past and-thc future!
Under the magic of memory, the club
breakfast room transformed into bril-
~
lights came before his dr. ealny sense
Il hen the empty parlor beyond became
Il dim conservatory, whence waited
scents Of tropic flowers and rnurmured,
half-forgotten words. Again he sat be-
meath Il tall palm: a stately, grand
woman beside him, listening to his pas
sionate voice; her fair head bowed; her
cleaning bosom painting at restraint of
its low corsage. question: pledge
one first lnutua kiss of trotti-and
the pair moved back among the dancers,
happy, radiant, hopeful!
Swiftly the scene chang to Il dimly-
lit plain sitting room. The same wom-
an-trcmbling, contritc tcarful-tells
him she had spoken hastily; that she
likes, admi res, but cannot love him:
that she l owes no one-and never can!
And he the petted darling of society;
the dreaded of malnmas and the adofed
of daughters-strides forth into the
snowy night, shocked in vanity, irate,
but not hunbled!
Edgar Vsne dashed the menu to the
floor: sprang erect to his feet and stared
Mt hi reflected shape in the tall mir
ror. Then he o rdercd and ate his break
last; his brow cl GUIDED and his eye
dreamy, bu his thin lips smiled under
the Van Dyke beard, as he slipped his
Sauterne.
81 acas lonely; and it was very good
of you to come, Edgar Mrs. Harley
certainly looked lovely, reclining in the
great, tufted chair, her rich teagown
emphasizing the soft curves of the
finest figure in all society.
Say very selfish, rather the man
answered, earnestly. Il knew you were
alone, Mabel. knew too, you were
unhappy!
Nonsense! Why should I be?' A
weary glance around the luxury of her
boudoir finished the question.
because you are a woman! He rose
and stood close before her. because
jewels and b,ic-a-brac and equiPaG0
will not fill that year ming you all feefs
yearning you sometimes mistake. but
which asserts itself too late! Mabel!
you remember
That I am married? Yes she an
swcred, we arily. Heaven knows, the
t'1fs and trials never let me forget it!
And you remember what might have
bcen?' he went on passionatcly. ''Eou
do. Mabel! aXou compare the is, with