The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-12
CHATTER TX.
DISAPPOINTMENT.

DISAPPOINTMENT.
II was nearly half a mile from the
Salvation Army hall TO the Vaspiaines'
and Stuart never knew what he said 10
Una as they walked on. Rhena's look
as thed oor had opened revealed 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 IL 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,
n indeed deeper feeling did not enter
into her thought, az the sight Of the In
difference Of her old playmate 10 the
beauty and attrsctiveness he had once
seemed to enjoy She bade him
goodnight abruptly and went I'm at once.
leaving him standing somewhat awkward
ly by the door waiting for Louise.
When Louise and Vasplalne finally APP
peared, Stuart moved down the steps,
and without waiting for vasplaine TO
say good night he said: Louise, we had
better be going right back. Good night,
vasplaine."
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 calling
you Iouise?'
Ever since we were children" re-
piled Louise In moclsing tone. But
she was very much excited and never
looked 80 pretty in all her life.
Iltte tn hat tom saf xynt
piled Stuart He looked at the face In
the fur trimmed hat.
Louise looked back at him with just
the faintest indication Of a sneer on her
nps. Hal asked me to marry him."
she said at last.
And what did you tell him?' asked
Stuart quietly.
II 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. LouiseY' Stuart
asked gently.
'Oh, / like him well enough He is"-
stop, Louise! can't bear To hear
you speak that way of such a serious
matter. DO you know what sort OF a
man Vasplaine is?''
Louise was at anger heat In a mo-
ment. She wrenched her arm from
6tuart's and spoke with n passion she
really lett NO. no. 10 you tnlIk Il
spy out hts habits7 He's as fast as most
Of the young men. I suppose What DIFF
ference does II make? What right have
you to pass judgment on him?'
Stuart WAS staggered at first Then
he recovered himself and replied:
Louise, love you. You are my sister.
I speak as ] do because OF my knowl-
edge. and say to you that II you marry
Hal vasplaine you will be 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 viii
wreck your life! He is''-
You need not say any more" inter-
rupted Louise coldiy. II have promised
to marry him. like him. i believe !
love him even. since your brutal attack
on him behind his back. You claim the
privilege OF marrying beneath you. Let
me do the same, IL that is what you call
It,"
Stuart reeled almost as IL 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 under
stand each other"
Louise without word took hts arm
again and they went on In silence. BY
most of the lights were out. except In
the houses where the sick and dying lay.
Everything was wrapped In the quiet OF a
still winter night The Salvation Army
hall looked cold and bleak. it's unpainted
siding black with age. There was n
light shining from Rhena's room. Their
way led right past the house. Stuart
tembled as he went by He feared
Louise might say something.
She did not, however. and neither spoke
word until they reached home.
Aunt Royal was still up and waiting
for them. You must have walked fast"
she said. looking keenly at them both.
I'VE did" replied Stuart. 1T is a
very cold night"
He went into the library, where there
was an open fire burning In tho CRATE.
The rooms were still heavy with the per-
fume of roses and carnations.
Aunt Royal and Louise followed him,
after Louise had said a few words to her
aunt. Aunt Royal was as excited as she
ever allowed herself 10 be.
Louise tells me you object TO her
marrying young Vasplaine." she said,
confronting Stuart abruptly.
Stuart was surprised. He did not think
Louise would mention the matter TO her
aunt. But Louise was thoroughly anhry,
and small natures like hers are mover
satisfied to wait long before expressing
resentment. IL was very natural thing
for her to confide at once in her aunt.
being sure In this instance OF her per-
feet sympathy.
Yes. do object" replied Stuart firm
ly. sHe looked straight into his aunt's
face.
ION what grounds7"
"The character Of the man" answered
Stuart quietly.
His characterl DO you know that
the vasplanes have held the very high
est position In the beat society for sew
eral generations? Has not young Vas
plaine been received everywhere I'm So
ciety where you and Louise have been?''
1T liz possible that society may have
more regard for wealth and q family
name than for the little consideration of
character and morals have heard
sometimes that that Is the case said
Stuart with n sad smile.
ssyynv have won allowed fhe Vaepiatnoe