Middletown transcript., 1903-10-03

Yes-you see your time is limited.
Very well; but. Mr.. Dellwyn, first let
me thank you for the trouble you have
taken, and tell you how sorry | am to
have caused you SO much-annoyance.
That is all right, my dear child. So
long as it does not bring you unllappi-
ness it does not matter. shall see you
again to say good bye.
In a minute or two the door opened
again, and Mr.. Chesteron came forward.
Holding out his hand, he wished her
conventional good morning.
Addie did not take the proffered hand,
perceiving no cause for cordiality. lie
should see that the affair was quite as
disagreeable to her as to him; no doubt
he thought that, az he was rich, any
girl would be delighted to marry him.
So she replied coldly-
Good morning. Mr.. Dellwyn told me
that you wished to speak to me.
Yes. Mr.. Chesteron looked rather dis
concerted at the frigidity of her man.
ner. 1t had never struck him before that
it was at least quite as hard on her
as on himself. So many girls had shown
their willingness to become Mrs. Ches-
teron iff he would only ask them.
He looked at her more closely than
was his wont. She was really very
pretty, and he had always admired
golden hair and gray eyes, even although
Juliet was dark, and he had believed
himself to be kalf in love with her. Well
that was all over, and this girl tefore
him was his wife.
Mr.. Dellwyn has told you the lawyers
decision? Mr.. Chesteron asked.
Yes.
We could of course bring it into court,
Don't do that! Addie pleaded.
1t would be no use, they say, he re-
marked gloomily, and would mean an
awful amount OF scandal and publicity.
Move had better keep it as quiet as
possible. 1t is very unfortunate, but
we are OF course quite blameless in the
matter.
l even more SO than you, the girl
asserted. l told you that did not think
it was right, but you laughed at me.
1t is no use reproaching each other
now. The thing is done and apparently
can't be undone. All we can do is to
make the best Of it.
Addie remained silent. She was think
ing of her mother-was she better or
worse? Surely Monica would have tele-
graphed if there had been any imme-
diate danger.
You are not listening, l think. Mr..
Chesteron spoke with evident annoy
ance.
I-no-I beg your pardon-I did not
hear what you said. l was thinking Of
my mother.
1 am very sorry to hear that you have
had bad news, lie said kindly, if for
mally. l understand you wish to return
to town at once.
am going-yes.
Then we had better come to some
agreement as quickly as possible.
What agreement need there be? Mr..
Dellwyn says the marriage can't be set
aside, and we have agreed that it won't
do to bring the matter into court, so l
don't see that there is anything more
to be said.
must ask you-your wishes must be
And Chesteron paused.
About what? che asked coldy.
About our future lives. Annoyed by
her manner, he spoke bluntly.
l have no interest in your future life,
Addie remarked coldly, and l suppose
you are equally Indifferent about mine.
But you will bear my name? lie re-
piled.
/ shall not!
You do not intend to acknowledge
this marriage-among your friends?
Certainly not.
l think that is rather an unwise pro-
ceeding, Mr.. Chesteron observed drily.
They will never hear of it, Addie said
hurriedly. I-can't tell them!
These matters always come to light
sooner or later. think it would be
much wiser if you told your mother the
truth and-went under your legal name.
My name is Adelaide Delahay, she
declared obatinately, and so intend to
be called. What does it matter to me
What people choose to say? ! am sorry
il this will stand in the way of your
anyone else, although surely
even that might be arranged. l will
sign anything that can be done quietly.
[ only wish to be allowed to go my own
way, and that this matter shall not be
made public SO that people will say all
sorts OF things about me.
The worst they can say is that you
are my wife. returned Mr.. Chesteron,
annoyed at Adde'S indiffer-
enee.
That is ridiculous nonsense! We need
never see each other again. / dare say
We shall forget all about it, unless
The matter will not be easily forgotten.
Miss Delahay-no, / will not call you
by that tname-Adelaide-u her
Dellwyn is very anxious that
The ceremony should be repeated in the
orthodox manner as soon as possible.
He says it is only fair to you, and | am,
Of course, willing to do anything that
may be considered necessary and right.
That is very good of you-the girls
sneer was unmistakable-but l will not
trouble you. l Lave not the faintest
OF going through the form
again.
1t really is absurd Of you to take the
affair like this. Mr.. Chesteron declared.
am not asking you to stay with me
against your inclination. But, if people
Il.