The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1896-02-21
ready 70 allow him to get the upper

r. ready e; 70 allow him to get the upper
y ou won't talk like that, will you,
pleaseF she said, trying to repress her
must be satisfied to know that have
behaved rightly, according to my own
IDEAS, Us you no doubt have, according
He glanced at her quickly. with a ris-
ing Hush of Indignation III his sullen facc.
Hut lie was ahashed, and had the sense
to say nothing.
n am not going to worry you with any
noralizing, any questions" she went on,
looking at tho fire. Il would, of course,
if 81 cared; hut l don't. will do
what can for you--take care of you till
that's ALL"
W n 1as you h 1re not lot going to make it
:, Constance looked at him quickly and
been a spark Of affection In his tone
Of longing for the warmth Of his wife's
heart, as distinct from power oyer her
purse-she would not have been hard to
him. But love for another. and love
She shook her head. ,
He Kept. his head bent for i little
while looking at the fire: Then he
nodded philosbphitally., After all, he
had outgrown ahy feeling for his wife
long ago, In the meantime he might
think himself sure of d roof and d crust
as long, as she was in an engagement.
"Well. as YOU like" said he at last.
:. Over her 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, to
entreat And she was disappointed.
i<,1-l 1D, .l,D;,,
Il couldn't get another room in this
house." said she, $50, I've got one next.
door. But it's Il p6ky little place. not
what you would like: so Vol eatl have
mine. l will have the one i'll the hext
house. Good night
She waited one moment at the door.
looking ut him curiously. He glanced
up. r." ~
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.
"Cyril"
oh. my poor child, what m expert
encs for YOU! What are you going to
do:"
Then he stopped looking at her in
amazement.
.'Why, don't understand You look
happier than / have seen YOU for ever
so long. Is it possible you care for--for
him?
Constance shook her head, smiling
rather sadly.
Il wish it were possihc,' she said. II
don't care for him, care for you. And
yet, now that h. has come back. l am
happier than was before. am thank
ing heaven that he did come-in time.
was not so strong us I pretended, Cyril.
/ was getting afra;I."
But Cyril looked impatient, miser-
able
you have sacrificed your lifc!!'' said
he, pasioHatcly.
And saved my-what is it?-pride?
Well, | am satisfied. Cyril: man can
never understand Il woman; | don't llll-
derstand myself But l am happier to-
right knowing that l am out of danger.
that there is to be no more struggling
| and no more questioning, than I was
before
"He will be burden to you as long
as you live"
u can't help that
Constance, this is Quixotis,n.'
"Well. [ can't help that either Good
night
And she disappeared into the house.
When Tom Anderson died, six months
later, Cyril Ardencr was already the
husband of Lillian Fairbrother. But
Constance was not unhappy, except in
the fear that the little couuctte would
make an indifferent wife
She had been true to her best self; she
had gained Il victory which had made
her strong. And to the end of her life
she will congratulate herself uDOn her
very best performance.