The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-04-26

iOckeu trumpery rosewood desk and
took out packet of letters, a bunch
of faded violets aud a photograph.
She slipped the last. two into an en-
yelope. 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 n
desire to get it done before her m oAh err
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, the
service, the wedding breakfast with
its endless speeches, the fussy officious-
ness OF the bridesmaids who helped
to array her in her travelling gown,
the smiling farewells aud good wishes,
were all Indifferent to her: but when
at last she aud 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 rcali-
ties.
AT last I've got my dear little wife
to myself" he said; md passing his
arm around her, turned her face up to
his with one plump hand and laid his
lips on hers for the first time.
"Don't Dout! You MUSTN'T" cried
Ammo H.r wprJc ccnnal 30 foII ,,,a,
each other in her haste; her heart was
beating like some Gagged wild thing.
odd / frighten You, my darling?
Come, you mustn't he SO shy OF your
husband" he said, smiling at her in
diligently.
"I-I don't like being kissed. L
am 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 big signet ring, his
double chin, the big .creases on his
cheek when lie smiled filled her with
repulsion.
care you tired, dearest? Does
your head ache?" he said, kindly So
licitous at once.
eyes, it does, rather" said she,
catching at the immemorial excuse of
womenkind.
She shut her eyes and leaned back
in the corner while he fused over her
with smelling salts and eau de-colognc.
They had engaged rooms at the sea
side resort, but there had been some
mistake abou. them, and 1T was while
he was talking to the manager that
Anne went into the writing room to
wait
ooh, yes, that will do quite as
WE'LL" said Mr.. Thompson, coming
briskly in and speaking over his shout
der to n waiter. ''Anne, my dear, it
is all right now. We have three
rooms on the first floor; they are tax
ing up our things. Why, my dear,
what il the mstter?".
81 have made mistake" said
Anne, hardly knowing what she said.
'"This this is Charlie Dacre."
MIR, Thompson had heard sketchy
outline of his wifc's previous love af-
fairs from Mrs; Carruthers. ''Boy
and girl affair" "mere fancy
quite unworthy young mnn"-the
phrases seemed to ring in his brain
now.
A dull, flush rose slowly to his face;
he laid his hand on Anne's arm.
81 have heard of Mr.. Dacre," he
said coldly; 81 think you had better
come with me-" ,.t.
"You have stolen her from me! You
know best yourself by what meausr'
said the younger man savaGely.
The situation was insupportable; n
primitive emotion was out of place in
the commonplace room, with its writ
ing tables Uttered with directories and
hotel stationery.
81 gained my wife by no means OF
which / need be ashamed" said Mr.
Thompson, with certain dignity.
: ''But it was all mistake. He
wrote, only / never had his letters
He was coming back to me-" said
Anne, helplessly.
Il don't understand; perhaps I ar
dense. You mean to say you only
married me, believing Mr.. DacFe was
false?" began the cider man, con
fusedly. The door swung again,
busy traveller hustled in, bag in hand.
drew a chair noisily up to n table, and
began TO write.
Mr.. Thompson beckoned impera-
lively to Anne. Come! 7 must
speak to you," he said, sharply. He
held the door open for her, aud she
obeyed him mechanically, leaving her
lover standing by tue mautel-piece,
powerless to stop heT
Mr.. Thompson led the way mp the
first flight Of stairs, waiter threw
open door, and Anne found herself
alone with her husband.
"Now, perhaps, you will explain.
This man, what Is he doing here? BY
what right does no address you?' he
said. There was tone of sharpness
in his voice.
Gle did not know should be here.
lie was coming home from the West to
stop my marrying y0u. RE thought
he would be in time" snid Anne, al
most in the voice Of n chidden child.
'But he is too latel You are my
wifo now. No one can take you from
mo-" The remembrance of the hand
some young face below moved him TO a
touch Of brutality.
But ] can't live with you nowl
Don't You soCY i can't. oh. / can't"