Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-12-05

the chatter of an idle woman compared
with it? And you are right All, be
happy, my friend. that you have that
which can absorb you, to the exclusion
of everything else "
He went from her with the feeling
that he had left much unsaid. And yet
what could he say? She was an enigma
he was as yet powerless to solve
AS he walked mp the path he saw Jen-
ny looking from the window. She
turned away abruptly, but not before he
saw she had been weeping.
Mrs. Larremore was one Of those
women who never shirk tears or their
traces. She let them roll in slow pro-
cession down her cheeks, and when they
blistered her nose and swelled her eye
lids she looked glad Of it.
What was the use of being miserable
If all the world didn't know itf AS to
sobbing, she had reduced it to a fine
art. Hugh often thought a great emo
tional actress had been lost in his wife,
the supply of her lachrymal glands was
SO inexhaustible and responded SO easily
to her call.
She was sobbing now as he entered
the house. He conld not control the
slight smile that fingered for a second
ON his lips as he went toward her, won
dering if it were an i'll fitting gown this
time or if she had cut her bang too short.
whats the trouble, little woman?
Dear me, what quantity Of tears |!
What are they all about?"
With brisk sympathy he drew chair
to her side and laid his hand on hers.
She pushed him away and rose, with an
attempt at intense scorn.
matter enough! How dare you ask
me what's the matter? Oil I wish
mamma were herer' And she collapsed
again.
Any effect her words might have had
was spoiled by the intensely comic lus-
ter of her nose, and her pale eyes seemed
to have retreated into little pink caverns
under her brows.
Hugh looked at her helplessly. She
was enraged at something-but what?
He could think Of nothing he had done
to warrant her reproaches and so wait
ed in silence for the charge.
"Yes, you do well to say nothing
more" she cried out suddenly. "Ask-
ing me what's the matter indeed Hugh
Larremore, do you think me blind?
Have I no feelings as wife? Oh, it
didn't require Mrs. Elliston or Mrs.
Mabie to show me the turn affairs were
taking. I have my private opiniol of
some people, and knew how it would
be from the first. "
did your" asked Hugh, with in
tense WEAKNESS, rising and walking
little way from her. "Then perhaps
you'll let me know too. What do you
mean? I am completely in the dark as
to what you are driving at, y
A triumphant malice lit up Jenny's
eyes and she went close to him, her
small hands clinched.
II mean that you are in love with
that girl next door, came slowly, fierce
" from between her quiyering lips. II
mean that she's been leading you on.
What is she anyhowf We don't know
anything about her. But she's making
fool Of you and jest Of me. You are
parading your, infatuation to the whole
town. I won't stand it. Z"
Then something in his look made her
draw back. She had been prepared for
denial, for ..dicule, for anger, but not
for that deadly pallor that slowly set
tied on his face until it was like a mar
BILE mask, not for that fire In his eyes
under which she felt herself grow hot
with shame.
Il "Well--well - isn't it true?" she
tremblingly asked, trying not to bo
frigAatteened
Come here. !"
He held out his hands with gesture
she dared not disobey. he drew her
close to him, and roughly, and looked in
to her abashed face.
You have said something it will be
hard for me to forgive.
Then his expression changed convul-
sively, and he looked past her, an alb
rupt. angry laugh breaking from his
lips.
'sIt's a lieI There is not yestige Of
truth In tia lie-do you hear?-a liep
And he went away.
In bis study. with the door closed uD-