Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-05-28

glanced up quickly, q strange un-
easiness stealing over her lecause
of his unusual manner.
"You have no objection, dear7 she
urged impatiently, a half contemptn.
GUS note on the last word. She looked
narrowly at him, but his face was
quite unmored. He had lighted
cigar and was smoking mechanically.
"By all means. Violet; entertain any
one you wish in your own home
He stood in an embarrassed fashion
by her chair for a second, then quiet
ly left the room.
His wife looked after the receding
form with an expression of slow won-
der. For the first time in their mar
ried life he had not offered to kiss her
goodbye at parting. For moment
this show of indifference stung her
into swift resentment. But it was
merely transient. All thought of the
tiresome husband vanished before the
image Of the man who threatened TO
bring a shadow into the hitherto
blameless home.
That evening with Jack Wetheren
seemed strangely short, in contrast to
the long, dull hours she was sometimes
forced to spend in her husbands So
ciety. With what force and cleverness
he touched upon the subjects of the
day; the latest triumph in the world
of art, Of literature-the one book es-
pecially, about which two worlds were
to rave. After the great originator,
the great interpreter; and such was
Wetherell. His every word was teem-
ing with interest; so different from the
vapid discussions with which Disbrowe
was wont to regale himself.
By the side of this mans conversa-
tion that of her husbands became
mere insipid twad6le. The thought
that she was the wife of such an one
grew more and more intolerable with
every hour.
All through the night she tossed few
Cling against the invidious shadows
that hovered about her. 1t was near
midnight when Disbrowe returned
from the office, but she was keenly
alive to the sound of his footstep. A
nameless apprehension that was al
most appalling swept over her. What
would the future bring forth?
The week went by on golden wings
and Wetherell still fingered. Tho
book of sentimentality, long closed be-
tween them, was now fully open to
both. Outwardly the time had passed
uneventfully, but the first subtle at
traction that had drawn the two to-
gether was now sprung into fierce life.
There was only wild, insatiate desire
to escape from the desperate monot-
ony of her everyday life. To one of
her temperament, she argued, a great
devotion was necessary; not the slav.
ish devotion of a bungling husband,
but the consuming love of nature in
affinity with her own!
When Disbrowe came home the fol-
lowing night the house was in total
darkness. He entered with dull fore
boding pressing like physical burden
against his heart. He sat down wear
lily to rest, all capacity for thought
seeming to have gone from his over
charged brain. Presently he turned
absently to take up the evening paper.
As he did so his keen eye singled out
folded sheet of note paper on the
reading table. There was no address;
he raised it slowly with hands that
shook beyond his control and read:
MY Darling: l am compelled to be
away from home this evening, much to
my regret. Forgive what must have
seemed like neglect for the past few
days and believe me, always,
Your loving Violet"
When he had finished reading the
note Disbrowc glanced hastily about
him; then with sudden impulse of un.
| speakable JOY he lifted the precious
bit of paper and held it fervently to
| his lips. After all then he had been
! but a blind, unreasoning fool! He
mathematical himself bitterly for the
part he had acted, resolving to make
atonement in a thousand different
ways as long as he lived. For an hour
he did not move, unutterably glad Of
life; unutterably relieved, which was
more.
| Presently the front door opened and
closed softly. He slipped noiselessly
into the corridor and siezed his wife's
/ hands in his, devouring her face with
! his eyes. Dear" he said tremulously,
II found your note and I've counted the
hours until your return. IL have been
brute to you, Violet; say that you
forgive mel"
She stared at him incredulously for
an instant, then swift comprehension
swept over her. He had read the note
she had left for Jack Wetherell. There
was a momentary feeling of terror,
then a sensation of fierce resentment,
followed by one of quick revulsion.
Her own wrongdoing flashed before
her in vivid contrast to this mans
trust. AT the seeming evidence of one
frail fragment of affection on her part
he had counted as naught all the
| sights. neglect, even sneers that had
been heaped upon him for another and
in that others presence.
For a long time she was silent. a
great thankfulness in her heart for
| the salvation that had come TO her in
time. Presently she lifted her-hand
I and laid it gently on her husbands
head, noticing now for the first time,
the stipples of silver that lay thick
among the heavy masses of hair.
"It is l who should ask forgiveness,
dear" she whispered. Her lips quiv-
cred painfully and pleading look
came into the blue eyes.
Disbrowe laid one of his big hands
on her brown curls and laughed away
her seriousness. He patted her softly
on the cheek and STOPPING whispered
something in her ear.
She looked at him with a startled ex-
clamation. And you did not tell me. y
she cried reproachfully. $50 You are
the wonderful 'incognito,' the rising