The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-04-09

she wanted to do before her mother
came to her, so when she had put on
her plain white dressing gown she I'M
locked a trumpery rosewood desk and
took out packet Of letters, a bunch
of faded violets and a photograph.
She slipped the last two into an en-
velope and went swiftly downstairs;
for, it being June, there was only the
kitchen fire available.
The cook had just gone out to the
side door for the milk, so there was no
one to witness her holocaust. She
did not feel any pain over it, only
desire to get it done before her mother
came, and she even laughed little as
she heard the cook Boosting to the
milkman of the number and value Of
the wedding presents.
The morning seemed to pass with
her like dream, in which her share
was only imaginary. Her mothers
kisses, the crowd in the church, tho
service, the wedding breakfast with
it's endless speeches, the fussy oficious-
ness Of the bridesmaids who helped
to array her in her travelling gown,
the smiling farewells and good wishes,
were all Indifferent to her; but when
ct last she and Mr.. Thompson were in
the carriage that was to take them to
the train, and he laid his hand on her
arm, she suddenly awoke to reali-
ties.
cat last I've got my dear little wife
to myself" he said; and passing his
arm around her, turned her face up to
his with one plump hand and laid bis
lips on hers for the first time.
"Don't Dour! You MUSTN'T" cried
Anne. Her words seemed to fall over
| each other in her haste; her heart was
beating like some Gagged wild thing.
! "Did I brighten you, my darling:
Come, you mustn't be SO shy OF your
husband" he said, smiling at her in
diligently.
"I-I don't like being kissed. L
nm tired" faltered Anne.
She suddenly seemed to have be-
come aware that she belonged to this
man. His short blunt fingers, on one
of which was o big signet ring, his
double chin, the big creases on hi'
cheek when lie smiled filed her with
Propulsion.
care you tired. dearest? Doe:
your head ache?" he said, kindly so
licitous at once.
eyes, it does, rather" said she
catching at the immemorial excuse O.
womenkind.
She shut her eyes and leaned bacl
in the corner while he fused over bel
with smelling salts and eau-de'cologne
They had engaged rooms at the sea
side resort, but there had been some
mistake about them, and it was while
he was talking to the manager tina
Anne went into tho writing room tx
wait.
"Oh, yes, that will do quite al
well!' said Mr.. Thompson, coming
briskly in and speaking over his shout
der to waiter. came, my dear, i
is all right now. We have three
rooms on the first floor; they are tax
ing up our things. Why, my dear
what is the matter?"
II have made mistake" sale
Anne, hardly knowing what she said
his-this is Charlie Dacre."
Mr., Thompson had heard sketchJ
outline of his wife's previous love at
fairs from Mrs. Carruthers. ''Boy
and girl affair -''mere fancy
"quite unworthy young man"-tht
phrases seemed to ring in his brair
now.
A dull flush rose slowly to his face
he laid his hand on Anne's arm.
IT have heard of Mr.. Dacre," b.
said coldly; IT think you had bette
come with me-"
''You have stolen her from me! Yo1
know best yourself by what means'
said the younger man savagely.
! The situation was insupportable;
primitive emotion was out Of place il
the commonplace room, with its writ
ing tables Uttered with directories an'
hotel stationery.
IT gained my wife by no means o
which I need be ashamed" said Mr.
Thompson, with q certain dignity.
"But it was oil mistake. Fl
wrote, only I never had his letters
He was coming back to me-" sal
Anne, helplessly.
II don't understand; perhaps I or
dense. You mean to say you onl
married me, believing Mr.. Dacre wa
false?" began the elder man, con
fusedly. The door swung again,
busy traveller hustled in, bag in hand
drew chair noisily up to table, an
began to write.
Mr.. Thompson beckoned impera
lively to Anne. "Come! I mus
speak to you," he said, sharply. H
held the door open for her, aud sh
obeyed him mechanically, leaving he
lover standing by the mantel-piece