Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-24
THE SPECTRE OF THE REAL.
BY Thomas HARDY.
copyright 1894, by. Bachelor, johnson &
Bachelor.
CONTINUED from Yesterday
CHAPTER III.

their commonplaces, all their novel;
ties. Mr.. Durrant, senior, had finished
his urgent business. and returned to
his square and undressing country
house. But Jim fingered on in town.
although conscious of some subtle
change in himself and his view of
things He and Rosalys met whenever
it was possible, which was pretty fire.
quently. Often they contrived to do so
at hastily-arrangei luncheons and teas
in the private rooms of hote-s: some
times, when Mrs. Ambrose was sud
denly called away, at Jim's own rooms.
Sometimes they adventured to queer
suburban restaurants.
In the lapse of these weeks the twain
began somehow 70 lose little of their
zest for each others society. Jim him
self was conscious of it before he had
yet discovered that something OF the
same disappointment was dulling her
heart too. On his own side K was the
usual lowering of the fire-the slack
ening of a mans passion for woman
when she becomes his property. On
hers it was 4 more mixed feeling. No
doubt her love for Jim had been of but
little higher quality than his for her.
She had thoroughly abandoned herself
to his good looks, his recklessness,
his eagerness; and now that the
sensuous part of her character was
satisfied, her passion also had burnt
itself down. But beyond, above, this,
the concealment of her marriage was
repugnant to Rosalys When the
rapture of the early meetings had died
away she began to loathe the sordid
deceit which these involved; the
secretly dispatched letters, the I'M
avoidably brazen lies to her mother
who, if she attached overmuch impor'
tance to money and birth, yet loved her
daughter in all good faith and sim.
plicity. Then once or twice Jim was
late at their interviews. He seemed
indifferent and preoccupied. His
manner stung Rosalys into impatient
utterancc at the end of a particular
meeting in which this mood was unduly
prominent.
"You forget all l have given up for
vou.' she cried. "You make fool Of
me in allowing me to wait here for you
it is humlliating and vulgar. l hate
myself for behaving as dor
THE renunciations are not all on
your SIDE" he answered caustically.
"You forget all that the loss of his
freedom means to man.
Her heart swellcd, and she had great
difficulty in keeping back her tears.
But she took refuge in sullenncss.
Unfortunately we can't undo our
folly!' she nurmured. You will have
to make the best of it as well as l.
suppose the awakening to sense OF
idiocy was bound to como sooner or
later Eut-I didn't think 1t would
come so soon. jim, look at me! Are
you really angry, Don't for Godssakc
go and leave me like this.'
He was walking slowly towards the
great iron gate leading out of Kensing-
ton Gardens; logged cast on his hand
some countenancc.
Don't make a scene in public, for
heavens sake, Rosalys."
Feeling that he had spoken too
brutally, he suddenly paused, and
changed:
Il ara sorry, little woman, if l was
cross! But things have combined to
harass me lately. OF course we won't
part from one another in anger"
Jim glanced at her straight profile
with its full underlip and tirmly-curved
chin, at the lashes on either lid, and
the glossy brown hair twisted in coils
under her hat. But the sight of this
loneliness, now all his own, failed to
arouse the old emotions. He simply
contemplated her approvingly from ar
artistic point of view.
They had reached the gateway, and
she PLACED her hand on his arm.
'Good-by. When shall we next meet?
To-day is Tuesday. Shall it be Fri
day."
Il am afraid must go out of Lon
don on Thursday for day or two. I'll
write. dear. Let me call hanson"
She thanked him in cold voice
again, and with last handshake
and smile that lowered on sor-
row. left him and drove away towards
Belgravia.
Once or twice later on they met; the
next interview being shorter and sad
der perhaps than the last. The one that
followed it ended in bitterness.
This had better be our long good
by, suppose?' said she.
Perhaps it had. = You
seem to be always looking out for
causes of reproach, Rosalays. / don't
know what has come over you"
1T is you who have changed" she
cried. with a little stamp. And you
are by far the most to blame of us two.
You forget that | should never have
contemplated marriage as possibility.
You have made me lie to my mother,
do things of which | am desperately
ashamed, and now you don't attempt
to disguise your WEAKNESS of me!''
1t was Jim's turn to lose his temper
now You forget that You gave me
considerable encouragement. Most
girls would not have come cat again
and again to surreptitious meetings
with man who was in lova,with them
girls brought up as You have beenr'
She started as in spasm. A momen-
tarv remorse seized him. He realized
that he had been betrayed in speaking
as no man of kindly good feeling could