The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1903-06-05
A Difference
of Opinion ~
By
NELLIE CRAVEN GILMORE
Copyright. 1905, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

IT WAS well past IL o'clock when
| Disbrowe reached his home, but a
bright light still CLEANED cheer
full welcome through the sitting-room
windows. His eyes softened with
quick glow of pleasure as he noted
this, Transforming his distinctly plain
face into momentary beauty. A wave
of tenderness swept over his face.
Dear little Violet" he murmured
after all" He broke off and ran
lightly up the veranda steps.
The one drop lacking to complete
the cup of his great, new-found hap
piness, seemed now, indeed about to
be realized New life was in his
blood as he drew out his latch-key
and STOPPING, applied it tremulously
to the lock. Surely he had been too
exacting-too critical! His hands
shook little as he pushed open the
door, but he controlled himself and
passed into the corridor. An eager
flame leaped to his eyes as he turned
them, tentatively, toward the sitting
room. He took quick step forward,
then paused abruptly, keen shadow
of disappointment chasing the JOY
from his face. The room was empty.
All at once, things grew fiat and
+colorless In the loneliness of the
room. more complete sense of his
own isolation came to him than he
had ever before known. He walked
mechanically to one of the windows
and looked out where the syeamores
moved gently in the dapple moon
light
How placid and beautiful the world
might have beer. but for one thing.
But there was no longer any ex-
cuse to try to close his eyes to the
underlying significance of his wife's
bearing toward himself. which grew
more and more palpable each day.
Every nerve seemed to shrink with
an indefinable foreboding as the
panorama of the past flashed sharp
ly across his brain.
After awhile he drew a deep breath
and his hand went involuntarily to
his pocket, resting there lngeringly,
with sort OF regretful affection.
For an instant, a look of gratifed
pride stole over his rugged features
as his fingers closed tenderly over
the precious letter that had that day
brought him tidings of fame and for
tune. Then with a gesture of quick
loathing. he jerked them back and
turned from the window. What mat
tered it? Fame, success, wealth.
everything; all seemed but mockery
when the very heart within him was
shrivelling to the core.
With sigh he sought his sleeping
room. taking off his clothes in half
dazed fashion that betrayed the
mastery of some terrible emotion.
He was exhausted after the days
strain and soon dropped into rest
less sIumber Toward dawn. he was
dimly conscious of footsteps on the
veranda: there was buzz of voices,
then his wife's low laugh broke musi-
.caIly on the still air and he fell into
n profound sleep that lasted till
morning.
Dawn broke gradually into per-
feet day. Violet Disbrowe sat watch
ing the brilliant streaks of sunlight
that trembled through the breakfast
room window. At the sound of some
one approaching, she lifted the paper
in her lap with sudden assumption
of interest. Presently she glanced
up into her husbands face, a look of
anprehension that was almost fear,
leaping to her eyes as they encoun-
tered his. They were dull and sunk
en- and his. face bore a startling