The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-10-06
CHAPTER TX.

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 a 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 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 greens 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
| .,
every window and shop gave evidence of
Christmas cheer, were black and cold 10
her. Tom was changed. He avoided
her eyes. When left for moment alone
with her, he relapsed into a 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 a rainbow
across her life. He had forgotten, and
she had remembered. She had Rugged
these things to her heart as memories
precious beyond words, half spoken
promise of a 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 stiAed 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
fhe had dreamed of that which might
never be hers.
But, oh, to see him, speak to him, and
never by a single glance mirror the mu-
tiny that kept singing one question in
her brain" Why-why-why 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 her
fathers assumption of a secret under
standing existing between them.
II 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.
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
in love with you, whatever he may be
now. just before that play of his was
put on, when he was on the tenter hooks
of anxiety, | 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 Virginia's CULVER
ing lips. No word could come
"Then you are not secretly betrothed
to him?"
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
didr'
"Speak to him? II What are you
talking about2 Am 1 likely to do soi
| OO JOu bOIb vi pcIbOu9
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 thin, straight
line. The tragedy in her dilated eyes
told him the truth, and a naughty anger
against Tom awoke within him. Vir-
ginia's 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 daughterl
There lay the sting that was unbearable.
1t was after 8 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
themf How to say goodbyH Would Vir-
ginia remain his friendp 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 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
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