The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-08-10
FATE, THE M0CKER.

1t was in tho grounds of the casino
OF Ostend. The woman sat there idly
plucking at her fan; the man leaned
over behind her. with his face near hel
own.
They had met but an hour since in
surprising fashion, yet they seemed tc
have but little to say to each other, only
now and again tho woman spoke, in
low tones, with little mirthless laugh
alternating with tho words. The man
answered dreamily, with his eyes wan.
dering over the scene before him.
''You want to know what have been
doing during these years!' said the
woman, with slight sigh. cts easily
told. After you lost sight Of me-dd
you remember?-I met Herrick Yeend
He was rich, and I-oh, was tired Of
the game of chances! l seemed never tc
win prize somehow. Yeend Was
very nice, and r.
v "You married him., said the slow
voice behind her "Wisc little womanr'
"And you can say that?" she mur.
INJURED, with note Of reproach in her
tones. "You would scarcely have said
80 at one time"
The man laughed, little bitterly.
II suppose not" he said. II should
probably have torn my hair and thirsted
Yor the blood Of the estimabie Yeond.
I've grown philosophical, Bertha" "
(Which is only another name for for.
getfulness-eh?"
'"There are some things can never
forget, even if wished to do so," he
whispered. trying to peer into her face.
I "Ah that sounds more like Leslie Of
old days." she said, looking round at
him gratefully. II thought you had be-
gun to hate me-"
"You have never taught me to dc
that. But tell me-you are happy in
your marriage even though you have
left certain dreams behind? I suppose
we all drop those on our journey
through life; they are but cumbersome
luggage"
4 "You have grown philosophical in.
decd" she replied, laughing. well, !
don't mind telling you--you are such
an old fricnd-that my married life has
been hideous blunder. -
"Rather sweeping" said the man,
sending long wreath of smoke out into
the night air, "and decidedly strong"
mot bit too strong" she replied
salmly. "It was oil right at first; after.
Nard it developed into nightmare,
from which have never awakened. "
She shuddered little and sighed, and
then went on, in lighter tone: "Wcll,
I'VE won't talk about it. Tell me Of your.
Belf. What have you been doing?"
"Oh, I've been wandering in tho same
nimless fashion about the world, writ.
ing poems which nobody reads, painting
PICTURES which no man buys, gambling
hlittlc, running into debt greut deal. "
"And you are not married." she
asked.
mo; I'm not married." he said
slowly, looking at her did you expect
That should bef'
/ ShU did not answer for q moment
she only looked shyly up at him, with
= flush on her face
- "Poor boyi" she murmured at last,
softly. II remember that you were aw.
fully fond Of me-in these old days"
"Yes; l was fond of you, replied the
man, without looking at her.
II see that in spite Of your advice to
me you still carry some Of your dreams" "
she said wistfully.
"Some Of thsm," he said.
"And you are still fond Of me, Les.
lie?" she said.
"Can you doubt it?"
y "You poor boy, l treated you very
badly in the old days, very badly in.
deed. Iwish I could make it up to you. "
Something in the tender, regretful
voice touched the man; he bent nearer
10 her.
"And you thought had forgotten all
iabout you. You thought could forget?"
he whispered.
l. She looked down the lamplit path,
and suddenly sat upright and stiff
{ go away now," she whispered,
,s'Yeend is coming. can see his figure
I'm the distance. Come back to me again.
j want to talk to you"
!, She was sitting quite calmly, evi.
IDENTITY very much bored, when her hus-
band came slowly along the path and
stood before her.
"Well2" she said questioningly, glanc-
ing up at him.
"It's all Finished he said in hol-
low voice. "This is the end"
'"You don't mean she began.
81 mean." he bnoke in, that I have
dost tonight as heavily US before-more
heavily, in fact. have 30 francs left. "
'Thirty francsl" she calculated
6srcely.
'That is all. wanted to save enough
to get us some dinner and-and carry
ps elsewhere in the morning. The hotel
bill-well, we'll forget 1t. :"
He laughed grimly, and the woman
&huddered.
$50 this is the end, she said slowly
without looking at him, "beggary and
ehameful Eight and nothing in tho fu-
ture This is all you have to offer tnca'
t "We arc still together. Bertha" he
said. looking at her hopelessly.
"Bahl That is the worst part Of It,"
she said scornfully. "Rioh, you were
tolerable; but, poor She made q
quick gesture Of disgust and turned
away from him.
' sand you can say this to meat this
hourl" he said bitterly.
SIt 10 auch tpp,uoptp ou khnoo h.%