Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-05-18

T'N''N ~ S wGrm must of prG be-
ninble to escape so early hird!'
Going 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 it's edge, though he
retorted lightly:
Cease must be 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 like this!' Har-
| ley pushed back his plate and stood be-
| fore the other, as he added: ED,
made mistake to marry"
"You really astound me!' Edgar Vane
said, quietly; but dark CLEAN crept to
his eyes, and color stole over his sallow
cheek, over the Van Dyke beard. "You
| do not mean that Mabel is"
"All at faultP Nop' Harley broke in.
''But there are a million of petty trifes
in married life that none may dream of
T without experience. God knows would
| speak so to no other man living! But
you, Ed, were my college chum, Ma
bells Oldest friend-our groomsman! l
tell you, the first year of my married
life was heaven; this last has been helli
No, do not stop me. cannot explain,
but must speak. Merest trifes-very-
nothings-come between us. am alb
sorbed in the law; Mabel worn and rest
less from ceaseless round of society. l
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. tool''
"Tutl my boy; you have let yourself
grow morbid"
81 have notg" The other turned half
fiercely on him. 81 have fought-yes, /
have prayed-against this thing! I
know love Mabel; 1 am sure she loves
me-sometimes! 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 atten-
lively; but his voice was very quiet as
he said:
Probably not. You were a great
catch, Bert Good looks, family and
fortune daze girl"
But not-a lady!" the other broke in.
"Why, Ed, she had refused a dozen
richer menu
Eyes; women are riddles!' Vane an
swered in deeper voice. by the time
you come back she'll change again"
"God grant it! return at"
"Cabman says just time to catch the
train, sir" the servant said, and Har-
ley wrung the others hand as he cried:
"Good-by, old boy! Forget what 1
said. Well talk no more of it-yet!'
Left alone, Edgar Vane forgot to or
der his breakfast, still staring steadily
| at the menu. But his eyes looked over
it's edge into the past and-the future!
Under the magic of memory, the club
breakfast room transformed into a bril-.
liant ball scene. Music and glare OF
lights came before his DIR eamy sense
Then the empty parlor beyond became
a dim conservatory, whence waited
scents Of tropi c flowers and murmured
half-forgotten words. Again he sat be
meath a tall palm; stately, grand
woman beside him, listening to his pas
sionate voice; her fair head bowed; hcl
cleaning bosom painting at restraint OF
: its low corsage. A question: pledge
one first mutual kiss of troth-ant
the pair moved back among the dancers
happy, radiant, hopeful!
Swiftly the scene chang es to dimly
/ lit, plain sitting-r room. The same WON
nn-trembling, contrite. tearful-tcll
him she had spoken hastily; that sh
likes, admi res, but cannot love him
that she owes no one-and never can
And he the petted darling of society
the dreaded of mammas and the adore
n Of daughters-strides forth into tn
snowy night, shocked in vanity, irate
but not humbled!
Edgar Vane dashed the menu to tn
floor; sprang erect to his feet and stare
at hi reflected shape in the tall mil
ror. Then he ordered and ate his breal
fast; his brow CT GUIDED and his ey
= dreamy, but his thin lips smiled unde
the Van Dyke beard, as he slipped hi
Sauterne.
e "I Ods lonely; and it was very goo