The Anaconda standard., 1895-12-15


Constance gave Cyril one eloQuen
look. full of pathetic sadness, of rigi,
determination. Then she glanced a
the young girl. who seemed unable q
pass the group.
Take her home" she said. In q Low
| voice.
And she turned to her husband.
rom." she said. are you coming
home with me?"
ed. In a hoarse voice.
He was less grateful than sulien
spiritless. Perhaps he was hardly So
Der; but his tottering footsteps were
= the result of illness rather than of in
toxication. She led him to her lodg-
ings. got him some clothes. gave him
food. and placed him in a chair by the
fire 'l...
In all that she did there was no pre-
tense of welcome or affection: but she
was kind. thoughtfully attentive, gen.
! tie. as size would have been to a
stranger
For the truth was that there was
nothing in Tom Anderson to rouse ten
der feelings In the woman who had
found him out. He took her atten-
tions In hang-dog fashion. with some
little shame. perhaps. but with still
more irritation. When he had eaten
cigarette he began to assume airs of
lofty Indignation at the words he had
overheard Cyril address to her
II don't know whether that's the
way you have been allowing every
young 1ackanapes you met to speak to
you while 1 have been away!" grum-
bled he. MY poor darling indeed"
But. much to his amazement. Con-
stance burst out laughing.
"A flo sh.e he
prepared to find her humble. also. and
ready to allow him to get the upper
hand again.
you won't talk like that. viii you.
please?" she said. trying to repress her
involuntary, bitter amusement You
must be satisfied to know that I have
behaved rightly. according to my own
ideas. as you no doubt have. according
to yours"
He glanced at her quickly. with n
rising flush OF indignation in his sullen
face. But he was ahashed. and had
the sense to say nothing.
Il am not going to worry you with
any moralizing. any questions" she
went on. looking at the fire. II would.
of course. IL I cared: but I don't. l
will do what can for you-take care
of you till you are better able TO go
away. But-but that's all"
Then YOU are not going TO make II
up again?" whined he.
Constance looked at him quickly and
her eyes filled with tears. III there had
been a spark of affection in his tone
of longing for the warmth OF hts wife's
heart. as distinct from power over her
purse.-she would not have been hard
TO him. But love for another and love
returned had made her clear-sighted.
She shook her head.
ssNO more than that" she said
He. kept his head bent for a little
while, looking at the fire. Then he
nodded philosophlcally. After all, he
had outgrown any feeling for his wife
long ago. In the meantime he might
think himself sure of a roof and
crust as long as she was in an engage
ment.
t-"Well, as you like" said he. at last.
oSDverhers face there passed a curious
look. In the pause that followed her
own words she had been woman
enough to hope that he was going to
coax. 70 entreat. And she was dlsap-
pointed.
She rose quickly from her chair.
II couldn't get another room in this
house." said she. 80 I've got one next
door. But it's n poky little place. not
what you would like; so you can have
mine. | will have the one in the next
house. Good night"
She waited one momen. at the door.
looking at him curiously. He glanced
up.
Thank YOU. Good night" said he.
In another moment she was outside
the house. on the opposite side OF the
road man was standing. He crossed
quickly over TO her.
Constance. / want to see you"
Cyril"
"Oh. my poor child. what an expert
ence for you, What are you going to
do?'
Then he stopped. looking at her In
why. don't understand. You look
happier than have seen you for ever
so long. Is 1t possible you care for
for him?"
Constance shook her head, smiling
rather sadly
II wish It were possible" she said. II
don't care for him. / care for you.
And yet. now that he has come back,
l am happier than l was before. / am
heaven that he did come-in
time. / was not so strong as l pre-
tended. Cyril. I was getting afraid"
But Cyril looked impatient. misera-
BILE. ~ l--t-
You have sacrificed your life." said
he. passionately.
And saved my-what is it?-pride?
Well. I am satisfied. Cyril: a man can
never understand a woman: I don't
myself. But / am happier
tonight knowing that ! am out OF
danger. that there il TO be no more
and no more questioning.
than / was before"
He will be a burden to you as long
rs you live"
81 can't help that"
Constance. this is quixotism"
Well can't help that. either. Good
night"
And she disappeared into the house.
When Tom Anderson died. six months
ater. Cyril Ardener was already the
husband of Lillian Fairbrother. But
Constance was not unhappy. except In
he fear that the little coquette would
make an Indifferent wife.
She had been true to her best self:
he had gained a victory which had
made her strong. And TO the end of
her life she will congratulate herself
Ipon her very best performance.
(The End-)
Captain Sweeney. u. S. A. San Diego.
,al.. says: "Shiloh's Catarrh Remedy
5 the first medicine / have ever found