Middletown transcript., 1902-02-08


expression. 1t was year since
he had seen Dolly, and he had hardly
axnActed her to speak to him.
$50 you still come here sometimes, "
he remarked, with forced cheerfulness.
aThis is the first time since
vansittart looked away and reddened.
"Won't you sit do#n2" said Dolly,
politely.
''May I?'' with eagerness.
ST do not see what harm it can CO.;
there is no one here who would reccg-
nize us."
Yansittart sat down.
sI have ordered some of the lobster
outlets we used to like, do you remem-
Der? Why don't you have some, too,
Just for old times sake?
believe / will - motioning to
waiter.
While the man studied the bill OF
fare, Dolly studied his face, and felt a
distinct sense of disappointment to lind
that he looked fresh and rosy, we'll
groomed and prosperous.
'sYou might have neglected yourself
Just trife, for the sake of appearances,
she said, when he turned back to her.
'eWhy-er-a chap mustn't wear his
heart on his sleeve, you know. People
would only chaff him."
sfYou do not even wear speck OF
dust upon your sleeve" said Dolly, dis
contentedly.
"FelIowes is as careful as ever about
my duds. You used to like it because
he kept me SO right"
"You have not worried at all, have
you?'' said Dolly, cycling him again criti-
cally.
seThere has been such lot to do,
YOU know. I never was the sort OF a
chap to lie awake nights because things
did not 60 to suit me. l was West all
the summer and fall with Griegsby and
his party, and the sport was pretty good,
fishing immense, and I've got a new
bear rug, black, one of the best I've
ever seen. You would like it."
"Would /? wish I could see it."
"Can't we 60 over to the rooms alter
ward, and then you can see it?'' said
vansittart, with all sportsman's eager
ness to display his trophies.
"No, we cannot" severely. 81 am
surprised that you should suggest such
. thing"
The outlets were served steaming and
appetizingly fragrant.
'Let's make believe" said Dolly, rs
she tasted the sauce, "that it is year
ago, and I have just met you here. I
was detained at my dressmaker's, and
you were abominably cross until the
lobster came; sulked over the oysters,
and pretended not to care what we had
to eat; then you unbent, and now we
are going to chat and laugh"
ssAhp' said the man. Didn't we
have good times in those days? Dolly,
shall you ever forget them?''
Dolly munched on piece of celery
and eyed him coldly.
"Of course" she said, crushingly. st
have forgotten all about them now I
sma very prim and sedate person, who
is not even on speaking terms with
nonsense any more"
Vansittart leaned across the table.
"Dolly," he said, chow is Jack?"
"Fine, cleverer than ever, and always
devoted to me-"
"AhI Then you should be content"
ST am content. Why should you
think otherwise?'
Perhaps because things are not always
as gay as they might be with me. One
cannot stay out with the men and shoot
always, and it is beastly bore hanging
around town, with no one to care and
nowhere to CO."
Dolly shifted.
81 know all this is nothing to you,
but it is mighty lonesome for me, just
the same. little woman, especially after
having known you and realizing what
a comfort woman can be to chap"
"You did not always think me such
q comfort"
aOh, yes I did. I was careless, that
was all | thought it would always have
to go on as it was. thought you needed
me, too, little woman. How could
guess that you would find comfort with
Jack and let me go out of your life with
out murmur."
SIT was your own fault" said Dolly,
her face hardening. "You neglected me,
and you should have known was not
the woman to stand that sort of thing"
4 81 have learned my lesson since pretty
thoroughly" said vansittart, quietly.
.sDo you know what day this is2'
Dolly leaned across the table and chal-
lenge him with her eyes.
He was bewildered. "Why, Satur-
day."
sTt is just one year ago since we sep
arated. I have never been here since
until now. got to thinking of the old
days this morning, and suddenly resolved
to come here all BY myself and cele-
brate."
vansittart WINGED. 81 wonder you
did not 40 somewhere with Jack"
II was not in the mood for Jack to-
day
sand be is more considerate than !
was. remember I used to resent it
when You were not in mood for me,
and then would not go to you, or sug-
rest our having any good times for
weeks"
sYes, that is just the way you used
ID act, and could have struck you,
sometimes, you were SO Indifferent to
ne and impossible"
ssWhat mess we made Of it," said
Abe man, with regret in his eyes as they
rested upon the pretty, trim figure OPP
p0site.
ssNo at all. We arm both infinitely
HAMMER apart than we could ever have
49,, 4<<yoAhar You are the picture