The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-13
CHAPTER TX.

e wall.
IN 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 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
Hes. He was in continual antagonism
70 his better nature. His honest instincts
asserted themselves only to be stified,
for his decision had been taken, his steps
oet upon road that allowed no turning
back.
So fortnight dragged by, bringing
Christmas snow and green's to the town.
Chelsea square was. q patch of crystal
brightness, the snow undisturbed in the
seminary grounds. The bells in the
chapel pealed gladly morning, noon and
night.
4 But the benedictory chimes were like
mockery to Virginia. These days, when
every window and shop gave evidence of
christmas cheer, were 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-
kegular, his moods more uncertain. The
|implicity that matched his blue eyes
was slowly vanishing before new, insin-
cere rnannexisms.
When Virginia remembered the kiss
that had opened paradise to her, shame
burned her, and her pain changed to
6erce salt contempt. 1t was the fruit Of
y moments passing impulse with him,
and II had meant everything to her. He
bad forgotten or set aside the unfinished
Ioentence that bad shot like rainhow.
jacross her Hfe. He had forgotten, and
Inhe had remembered. She had hugged
these things to her heart as memories
lp1ecious beyond words, . half spoken
|tSomise of love that matched her own.
! Furious pain, wounded, aching pride,
lsometimes made the defiant little head
!droop YEARLY and passion of wild sobs
leave her lips in stihed cry. But only
when she was alone. Let him come and
!go as he pleased, let him hurthe by this
other side of his nature daily revealing
itself moro fully, but he must not guess
5she 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 brain-"Why-why--why has he
changedr 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
{ather's assumption of secret under
staining existing between them.
II say, now, you and young Murray
Iare not quite so indifferent to each other
Ias you'd have me believe, are your he
Iosked her one morning as he fingered
|over his paper and cup Of chocolate.
"Tom will always be my friend, l
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, I saw him watching you
many q time. The tender passion re-
Iveals itself now just as it did when I
suffered from it, and Tom looked sheep
FISH. Idare say used to look so. know
|my rivals always appeared so to me.
HAS anything changed himy'
No word came from virginia's culver
ing lips. No word could come.
Then you are not secretly betrothed
10 himr'
Sbewent hurriedly TO her fathers side,
and holding his arm tightly looked at
{him with dry, burning eyes.
"4ou must not fancy such thing. ]
am nothing to him. On, you wouldn't
tpeak TO him about this. father, You
fwouldn'tl No; It would kill me if you
Ididr
Speak to him? II What are you
falking about; Am likely to do so?
IDo 4 strike you as that sort of person?
;Ihe man who wants to marry my daugh-
lt~ mnst sue for that honor"
Hostuddsd her face hard for moment,
end his hps settled into thin, straight
I(ne. The tragedy in her dilated eyes
co4 him the truth, and a naughty anger
|oGainst Tom awoke within him. vir-
|o5nis's loye5 won and thrown away
|rDcmsd m Insignificant thing beside the
11ouGbt 6dta6y man should jadulge In