Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-01-20

Day by day the breach widened be-
tween the life Tom lad led aud 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 years rent
for the suite and stood hopelessly com
mitted to the agreement.
The hours spent in Chelsea square
were liEethe rigor of an unsought pen
ance, but the days drifted on while his
new home awaited him and still he
could not lind the courage to cut the old
ties. He was in continual antagonism
to his better nature His honest instincts
asserted themselves only to be stihed
for his decision had been taken. his steps
set upon a 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
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 rnSre IL
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
moments passing impulse with him.
and ii 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, a half spoken
promise Of d love that matched her own.
Furious pain, wounded, aching pride,
sometimes made the defiant little head
dro6p YEARLY and o passion of wild sobs
leave her lips in stlned 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, hut he must not guess
she had dreamed of that which might
never be hers.
But, oh, to see him, speak to him, and
never by Z single glance mirror the mu-
tiny that kept singing one question in
her hrain--"W hy-why-why has he
changed: 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 Il secret under
standing existing between them.
Il say, now, you and young Murray
are not quite so Indifferent to each other
as you'd have me believe, are you:" he
asked her ono morning as he fingered
over his paper and cup of chocolate.
''rom viii always be my friend,
hope Virginia answered steadily, but
almost inaudibly.
Mr.. Kent gave sharp side glance al
her pale face and shrug.
You don't mean to say there's moth
ing else? Stuff and nonsensei He wa,
in love with you, whatever he may b.
now. Just before that play of his wa
put on, when he was on the tenter hook
of anxiety, saw him watching yo1
many time. The tender passion re
veals itself now just as it did when
suffered from it, and Tom looked sheep
ish. Idare say used to look so. Iknov
my rivals always appeared so to me
: L. l,s.u,s:,