The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-02-13

these discords. suggestions Of an ire
concilable strife, OF difference which
meant hopeless division. The physical
contrast Of the two typitied this lack OF
sympathy or comprehension. The mans
short, strongly built frame. rudy color
ing. quick, restless movements, bespoke
full and intense vitality, sanguine
and passionate temperament. impulsive
and scarcely restrained by the keen sus-
ceptibility Of the artist. There was a
leonine suggestion in his aspect, look
OF 1.-the and brutal power and insin uat-
ing savagery.
The womans thin figure. whose grace
fulness her dress did not seek to dis.
semble, the lines Of her wasted facs, her
straight narrow lips and sharply cut
nostrils. marked her as an ascetic, whose
flesh, il indeed it had ever rebelled, was
now completely subdued to her spirit.
No lack Of spirit was evi lent in her in
tense blue eyes, animated by flame OF
disdain-the disdain of icy chastity for
sensual errors which it could not COM
prehend or forgive. While she stood
trembling after her last outburst, seek
ing for words that might lash and sting
the man before her. these eyes rested
upon him with an expression which
changed slowly from JEALOUS fury to un-
utterable grief.
But he did not perceive this softening.
He smoled his cigarette out and fl ing
the tip into the fire. still in sullen silence.
And then, without looking at his wife,
he changed his velvet coat for more
conventional garment, put on his hat
and light overcoat and left the studio.
Herman" she called to him sharply &.
Il shall not come back here for a
week." he said. between the opening and
the closing OF the door. And some half
childish, half savage impulse moved him
to add, IL hate you"
A moment later his shadow passed
the window. against which the wind
flung gust of yellow leaves. The wom-
an stood listening. stunned look on
hsr face. Her eyes travelled slowly
round the studio. resting a long time on
the shrouded clay model. She took a
step toward it and raised clenched
hand as though for blow. Then she
stood still again. and shivered.
The fire burned steadily. red core Of
of heat with little titful blush flames
playing over it. She dragged heavy
straight backed chair closer to the
hearth and dropped into it, clasping her
arms over her breast, her face contorted
with "a sudden keen physical pain.
Blindly she felt in her pocket and found
a small bottle. Without waiting to
meas ure or dilute the dose she put the
bottle to her lips and swallowed part Of
its contents. For some time she lay
huddled in the chair, gasping for
breath. Then, growing quieter. she
reached out and dragged from chest
near by its covering. dark blanket, and
drew it round her head and body. and
SO sat, staring into the ia ling fire with
eyes dull from exhaustion and PAIN.
The sculptor fought his way along the
street swept bare by biting east wind,
toward the quarter Of hotels and cafes.
He felt himself in need of something to
soothe the pin pricks inflicted by nag
ging tongue, and to counteract the de-
preston, mental and physical, which
was too often his lot after long day g
work, ike the present, Of dubious result.
Ordinarily the remedy he sought would