The Somerset reporter., 1896-08-13
FATE. THE MOCkER.

own
They had met but an hour since in
surprising fashion, Vt they seemed to
have but little TO say To each other, only
now and again the woman spoke. in
low tones, with little mirthless laugh
Alternating with the words. The man
answered drcamily with his eyes wan
derlng over the scene before him.
You want to know what | have been
doing during these years." said the
woman, with a slight sigh Its easily
told After YOU lost sight of me--do
you remember:-I met Herrick Yeend.
he was rich, and I-oh, | was tired of
the game of chances! ! seemed never to
win prize somehow. Ycend was
very nice, ard =
You man ed him, said the slow
voice behind her. Wise little woman!'
And you can say that" She mur-
INJURED, with note of reproach III her
tones. You would scarcely have said
so at enc time =
The man laughed, little bitterly.
Il suppose not, he said Il should
probably have torn my hair and thirsted
for the blood of the estimablc Yeend.
I've grown philosophical, Bertha "
Which is only another name for for
getfulness-eh?'
There are some things | can never
forget, even if l wished to do So" he
.A.srered, trying to peer into her face
All! that sounds more like Leslie of
old days, " she said, looking round at
him gratefully. Il thought you had be-
gun to hate me.
You have never taught me to do
that But tel me-you are happy in
your marriage, even though you have
left certain dreams behind? | suppose
we all drop those on our journey
through life; they are but cumbersome
luggage.
You have grown philosophical in
deed, " she replied, laughing well, |
don't mind telling you-you are such
an old friend-that my married life has
been hidcous blunder. "
Rather sweeping, said the man,
sending Il long wreath of smoke out into
the night air, "and decidedly strong.
"Not bit too strong, she replied
calmly ''It was all right at first after
ward it developed into nightmare,
from which have never awakened
She shuddered little and sighed and
then went on, ina lighter tone: well,
we won't talk about it, Tell me of your
elf. What have you been doing?"
"Oh, we been wandering i'll the same
aimless fashion about the world, writ
ing poems which nobody reads, painting
pictures which no man buys, gambling
a little, running into debt great deal. "
And you are not married." she
asked.
No; I'm not married." " he said
slowly, looking at her, Did you expect
that | should be-
She did not answer for moment;
she only looked shyly up at him, with
flush on her face
Poor boy!' she murmured at last,
softly. Il remember that you We're aw-
fully fond of me--in those old days ="
Yes was fond of you, replied the
man, without looking at her
Il see that in spite of your advice to
me you still carry some of your dreams, "
she said wistfully.
Some of them," he said.
And you are still fond of me, Les
lie?" she said
Can you doubt it?"
"You poor boy, treated you very
badly in the old days, very badly in
deed. wish | could make it up to you "
Something in the tender, regretful
voice touched the man; he bent nearer
to her.
And you thought had forgotten all
about you. You thought | could forget?"
he whispered.
She looked down the lamplit path,
and suddenly sat upright and stiff.
GO away now, she whispered
"Yeend is coming | can see his figure
i'll the distance Come back to me again.
l want to talk to you. -
She was sitting quite calmly, evi-
IDENTIFY very much bored, when her hus-
band came slowly along the path and
stood before her.
Well" she said questioningly, glanc-
ing up at him.
Its all finished" he said in hol-
low voice. This is the end "
You don't mean = she beg.-.
Il mean, - he broke III, that | have
lost tonight as heavily "a betore-more
heavily, in fact. l have 30 francs left.
Thirty francs" she cjaculated
tiercely.
THAT is all | wanted to save enough
to get us some dinner and-aEd carry
us elsewhere in the morning The hotel
bill-well, we'll forget 1t
He laughed grlmIy, and the woman
shuddered.
$50 this is the end, - she said slowly
without looking at him, "brggary and
shameful flight and nothing IN the fu
ture. This is all you have to offer me2'
I'VE are still together Bertha. he
said, looking at hen hopelessly
Bah! That is the worst part Of il, -
she SAID scornfully "Blch, You were
tolerable; but poor She made a
quick gesture Of disgust and turned
away from him
"Aud you can say this 10 Ome-at this
hour" he said bitterly
at is such moments N these that
teach men and women honesty, sire
said, with u laugh You have been
blind not to see It all before You know
never really loved YOU
He turned away with almost a sob IN