Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-01-27
CHAPTER TX.
DISAPPOINTMENT.

CHAPTER TX.
DISAPPOINTMENT.
1t was nearly half a mile from the
Salvation Army hall to the Vasplaines',
and Stuart never knew what he said to
Una as they walked on. Rhena's look
as the door had opened revealed a part
Of the truth to Stuart If Rhena had
been in Una'S place during that half
mile, there would have been no Ques-
ton of his determination to decide his
destiny at once. AS it was Una was at
first very gay in her rallying questions
and remarks. and then as she neared
her home she grew quiet and finally
naughty and chilling in her whole at
titude toward Stuart. She did not
know all, but she guessed the state of
Stuart's mind toward Rhena, and she
was piqued, if indeed a deeper feeling
did not enter into her thought, at the
sight Of the Indifference of her old
playmate to the beauty and attractive
ness he had once seemed to enjoy. She
babe him good night abruptly and
went in at once, leaving him standing
somewhat awkwardly by the door
waiting for Louise.
When Louise and Vasplaine finally
appeared, Stuart moved down the
steps, and without waiting for Vas
plaine to say good night he said: Lou
Use, we had better be going right back.
Good night Nasplaine."
"Good night. Good night, Louise"
cried the young man, and he went up
the steps at once and into the house.
For a few minutes as the two walked
back neither said anything. Finally
Stuart asked abruptly:
How long has Vasplaine been call
ing you Iouise|"
Ever since we were children" re-
piled Louise in n hooking tone. But
she was very much excited and never
looked so pretty in all her life.
But not in that tone Of voice." re-
/ piled Stuart. He looked at the face in
the fur trimmed hat.
Louise looked back at him with just
the faintest indication of a sheer On her
lips. "ISal asked me to marry him."
she said at last.
"And what did you tell him?" asked
Stuart quietly.
Il told him | would
The two walked on in silence, broken
only by the crisp sound of the dry
snow under their feet.
do you love him, Louise?" Stuart
/ asked gently.
"Oh, | like him we'll enough! He
! is
"StOp. Louise! l can't bear to hear
I you speak that way of such a serious
matter. Do you know what sort of a
man Nasplaine is?"
Louise was at anger heat in a mo-
ment. She wrenched her arm from
Stuart's and spoke with a passion she
really felt. NO. no! Do you think
/ spy out his habits? He's as fast as
most Of the young men, l suppose.
What difference does it make? What
right have you to pass judgment on
hm?"
Stuart was staggered at first. Then
he recovered himself and replied:
Louise, l love you. You are my sis
ter. | speak as l do because Of my
knowledge, and l say to you that if
you marry Hal Easplaine you will be
a miserable woman. Louise, listen to
| me-" Stuart went on, his love for his
sister for the moment causing him to
forget his own condition. This man
who has asked you to marry him is
oh, Louise, he will wreck your life.
He is
You need not say any more" inter
rupted Louise coldly. Il have promis-
ed to marry him. l like him. l be-
lieve love him even, since your brutal
attack on him behind his back. You
claim the privilege of marrying be-
meath you. Let me do the same, if
that is what you call it."
Stuart reeled almost as if he had
been struck. He had been standing
facing Louise since she took her arm
from his. He passed his hand across
his eyes, and then in a low tone he
said:
LET us go on. We shall never un
derstand each other"
Louise without a word took his arm
again. and they went on in silence. BY
the time they reached the town square
most of the lights were out, except il
the houses where the sick and dyins
lay. Everything was wrapped in thu
quiet OF a still winter night. The Sal
walton Army hall looked cold ant
bleak, its implanted siding black will
age. There was a light shining from
Rhena's room. Their way led right pas
the house. Stuart trembled as he wen
by. He feared Louise might say some
thing.
She did not, however, and neithe
spoke a word until they reached home.