Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-07-14
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~ 10 tOO ldlc W CuhHbc. lut uOb-
cart is at the door"
What does that matter? 1t can go
back to the stables. l wish you would"
MY dear Jack, do not add inconsis-
tency to my other faults. Goodness
knows the list of them Is long enough
in your estimation"
The speakers were a man and wo-
man, both young, and both good to
look upon. She was very pretty and
very young, but her mouth was set in
a hard line and there was defiance in
her eyes. The man stood in front OF
her, looking at her anxiously, and min
gled with the cawir OF the rocks over
head came the SOU OF a horses hoofs,
impatiently paving the gravel in front
OF the hall door. Truly the dogcart
was waiting.
Jack Rodney gave a sigh which was
almost a grOan, then drew himself up
and squared his shoulders with the in
voluntary action of man who has to
say something unpleasant and who
hates the task.
Very well, Maud. can say no
more. 1t is evident we cannot go on
like this. Our lives are burdens to us,
and soon people will begin to notice
that we are not on friendly terms Per-
haps when l am away you will think
better of me. may not irritate you
so much. You know, l only speak 10
you for your own good"
you preach-you don't speak"
Maud"
"oh, don't let us argue. l am sick
of it."
And OF me, too, | suppose? Well,
then, good-by, II you will have 1t so. l
have left a note for you on the bou-
doir table. viii you kiss me?"
mo. 1t is stupid to be hypocritical,
and there are no onlookers."
With another sigh the man turned
away, and without one backward
glance walked to where the dogcart
stood in readiness, took the reins and
in a minute the sound OF horses swift
trot was heard down the gravel drive.
Maud Rodney sat quite still where
her husband had left her until the
faintest sounds had died away. Then
she rose and pulled rose from tree
as she passed, but it fell to pieces as
she gathered 1t, and a thorn scratched
her finger. After all, 1t was as well that
| Jack had gone to Norway. They were
always quarreing, and he never let her
do as she liked. She had been so spoiled
| at home that she could not brook the
slightest contradiction; besides, she
wanted to show him how independent
she was and how well she could do
without him.
1t was getting cold, and she shivered.
Where was her warm cloak, which
Jack always wrapped around her when
the dew was falling. The maid would
bring 1t. She went to the house to
summon her. As she passed through
the open French window into the bou-
doir she thought of the note left for her
by her husband.
Another lecture, suppose" she
muttered, as she broke the seal 1t
contained a blank check and short
note. which said:
my Darling Wife-You can fill up
the inclosed for any amount you like.
Do not deny yourself during my ban
ishment, and try to recall me as soon
as you can. You know how much |
love you Yours ever, JACK"
She twisted the letter about in her
fingers, and the corners of her mouth
dropped as those of a child about to
cry, but she forced back the tears and
tried to tell herself she was a woman
OF spirit.
Wrapping a shawl round her, she
went again into the dusky garden and
wandered down long green alley.
with tall white foxgloves bordering 1t
on either side. They looked uncanny
In the dim light. and the groups OF pale
blossoms in the distance seemed to
take queer shapes and to bend and
wave like fantastic spirit forms made
misty by the darkness. It was 30 hor-
ribly still and yet the throb OF the
night beat like a silent pulse in the
air. Two white owls flew over her head
and startled her with their mournful
cry, and surely-yes surely-there In
the distance under the shadow OF the
trees was the crOuching form OF man.
Mrs. Rodney's heart sank into her
boots, and with cry Of Jack, jack"
she turned and fed. Footsteps followed
fast behind her, and like a fash the
thought went through her mind that
she was left defenceless.
Jack, come back! Oh, come back"
oh FOL har
strength going and feet tagging, but
as she turned the corner she saw
maidservant running toward her. She
paused to gain breath, and then went
on. A happy thought flashed through
her mind. Her husband had returned.
She would never be wilful again.
your master-has he come back?"
she gasped.
The woman nodded, but said nothing.
At the hall door a group OF people
were standing, and their faces looked
pale and terrified. She heard murmurs
OF THE horse fell" pitched on his
head" "all over in a moment" and
with an icy fear In her heart she
rushed into the hall. A man held up
his hand for silence.
On a low couch lay still form, with
a handkerchief over the face. With
trembling hands she lifted 1t and saw
her husband, quite white. quite still.
He had come back, yet not he, but
lifelsss form, an outward semblance
only OF the man she had loved. yet
banahed And then she knew that she
was indeed alone. And yet the world
would go on just the same. the flowers