The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-30

The manager OF the Cinque Ports hotel
rubbed his hands together and smiled
ingratiatingly at the couple before him
hr. Thompson. stout, prosperous and
middle aged Anne, slender. blond ana
lovely with ,"bride" written largo ali
over hsr attire, from the picture hat, the
fawn travelling cloak lined with white
satin and the watch bracelet In turquoises
down to her patent leather shoes.
win you 40 upstairs and wait my
dear, he said turning TO her.
ION, no. This viii do she said in
differently, and pushing open the door Of
the writing room she walked In.
Away from her husband 5 eyes she drew
her breath hard. Her gray eyes had the
look Of a child rudely awakened; she
clasped her hands together with look of
nervous dread. A man, the sole occupant
Of the room, TUNED his head mt tho soft
rustic of her silk lined skirts, and a. their
eyes met both uttered cry:
"Charliel You here?'
"Ann, My God. is IL your I'm not
too late Say I'm not ~ he cried.
Il was married this morning. We've
are on our honeymc on. But what has
that To do with your said sne almost
fiercely. "You-you broke Oft our engage
ment. 1 would have been true TO you in
spite of every one"
"ihen there has been foul play! was
sure of it. Lo1k, Anne / had such faith
in you that when there was no answer TO
my letters / knew they must be tamper.
ing with you. And then came the news
of your engagemenJ-ny sister wrote To
me; she always was Jealous OF you-8nd
got leave somehow. Ii was the colonel
who managed 10 for me- and j have
fraVplc1 nny and niUnt Ina time
left the boat at Marseilles, and / came
straight ON here through Paris. / haven t
eaten or slept since, and meet you here
married. ~
de WAS close to her now, his handsome
sunburned face flushed and quiyer inR
his strong hands clinched in masculine
impatl lnce of suffering.
Anne shrank away from him, white
and trembling. She could hear her hus-
bands voice speaking 10 "a waiter outside.
Anne, haven't YOU word for me?
Tell me why you have done this hiGeous
thing. Was it his money!" he demanded.
His money? No, not i never heard
from you. l was so lonely and miser-
able" she faltsred. "Oh, Charlie.
Charlie What shall we do!'
she held out her hands To him with
little gesture OF appeal. but no did not
take them He was beginning 10 see that
1t had beon better for hem both IL they
had never met again. What could he do
but harm To Mr.. Thompson's wifeg
II don't know-God help us!' he said
hrokenly. 10 meet you like this \
he-does your husDand'-
The door swung open. Mr.. Thompson
was entering.
"On, yes, that will do quite as well 30
SAID Mr.. Thompson, coming oriskly in
and speaking over his shoulder to
waiter. Anne. my dear il Is all right
row. We have three rooms on the first
floor. They are taking up our things
Why, my dear, what is the matterf"
:" hsve made a mistake, +" said Anne
hard y knowing what she said. "Ihisy
this Is Charlie Daere.
Mr.. Thompson had heard n sketchy
outline of his wife's previous love affair
from Mrs. Carruthers. Boz and girl
affair" "Aere fancy Quite un-
worthy young man. The phrases seemed
II ring in his brain now. A dull ilush
rose slowly to his face lie laid his hand
on Anne's arm.
IL have heard Of Mr. Dacrp " he said
c1ldly. Il think you had better come
with me-"
"You have stolen her from me- you
know BEST yourself by what means. said
tho younger man sRv6geiy.
Tne situation was iDsupp ortable. A
primitive emotion was OUT OF pince in the
commonplace room, with its writing
tables Uttered up VITA Bradshaws, direo-
tories and hotel stationery.
IL gained my wife. by no. means of
which / need he ashamed" said Mr..
Thompson with a certain quiet dignity.
But IL was all mistake. He wrote,
only | never had his letters. He WAS
coming back To me, said Anne help
lessiy.
81 don't understand. Perhaps am
dense. You mean 20 say You only mar
ried me believing Mr. Dacre was falseY
began the elder man oonfusedly The
door swurg gain. busy commercial
traveller hustl in. bag in hand drew 4
chair noisily up 10 table and began to
write.
Mr.. Thompson heckoned imperativelv
to Anne. Come, | must speak 10 YOU, !"
be said sharply. He held the door for Der
ana she obeyed him MECHANICALLY, leaving
her loves standing by the m0ntlef iece
powerloss to stop her,
Sir. Ihompson LEI the way up the first
flight Of stairs, wRiter threw open a
door, and Anne found herself alone with
her husband.
Now, perhaps you will explain. This
man, what is h5 doing herey by what
richt does he address your" he said.
lbere Was note of sharpness In LIS
voice.
"He did not know / should be here.
He was coming home from lnufu TO stop
my marry ing you. He thought he would
be In timo, said Annie, almost in the
voice of a chdden child.
DuJ Bo II 100 ldtB1 lou are ElN WIe
now. No one can take you from me. Z"
The remembrance Of the handsome young
face below moved him To touch OF
brutality.
but J can't live with you now. Don {
you Secy | can {. OH l can't!' lied Anne.
"Iou aIe my wife. You are hound to
live with me- You thought it posi- BILE
halt an hour ago. Nothing Las changed
since then.
But | didn't know then | Thought
he had left of caring for me- NV mother
knew. lt was she who made mo marry
YOU" painted she. All he delcats color
had faded: even her lips We're white: her
eyes were ful of terror.
900, won you be kiud to me and let
me eoy"
10 your lover?'
"No, mol will never see him again II
you will only let Ine go
But don't you kpov | love your Yes
as dearly as YOU love that man down
stairs. Daven't you little pity fer
me 2"
Anne looked nt him DULY His round,