The Colfax chronicle., 1903-11-07
The Return
By Nellie cravey c.IImore
scopyright. 1903. by Daily story Pub. Co,


MRS. Darlington paced the lengt
lvI OF the veranda and back agai
half dozen times, sat down for rest
less moment; then rose and bega
taking short turns up and down f
front OF the short fight of steps tha
led down to winding path of gravel
Every now and then she paused
with hand on one Of the polishe,
Tailings. to peer anxiously-perhaps
trife eagerly-through the thick-lace,
tree branches shadowing the lawn
Her hair. heap of shredded copper
tumbled picturesquely over tn,
smooth, white forehead. just relieving
1t OF sternness begotten by ths
deeply grave eyes beneath.
A half hour passed and the sound OF
familiar foctstep brought the blood
In a rush Of scarlet to the woman's
face; in an instant it had receded
leaving her almost as pale as the LIE
Marque rose at her throat
Etheridge fastened the gate careful
ly behind him and came rapidly up
the walk, flicking the flowers on either
side with a nervous cane.
Mrs. Darlington extended both hands
at once. Toni, she said, her voice
subdued that he might not catch its
trembling. I'm half afraid" she con-
tinued, clinging to him with cold,
shaking fingers.
Etheridge stopped and touched her
face lightly with his lips. with me ?"
he asked.
The element of reproach in his
question forced back her self-control.
'Of course not, dear l was foolish,
trife Observation-Disclosures ALL"
I'VE haven't any too much time.
Nona," he reminded. pulling out his
watch and glancing apprehensively at
the minute hand; "a half hour at the
outside"
She whitened and caught her breath
at his words. but collected herself i'm
mediately and left him for moment,
returning cloaked and hated for the
Journey. WED better take this side
street" she suggested as they left the
house; "he usually comes the other
way"
Dusk was falling rapidly, 30 that
they were not likely to be recognized
as they walked on with swift, nervous
footsteps, past all the familiar land
marks and down the wide clay road
that led to where the team was wait
ing.
Few words were exchanged. Once
Etheridge glanced furtively into the
woman's averted profile, shock run
ming through him at its bitterness and
pallor.
Presently they came in sight of the
long, white-picketed fence that en-
closed the village cemetery. Mrs. Car
rington held. her face resolutely to-
ward other things as long as she |
could. but her composure suddenly |
broke and the hand that had clung |
desperately to Etheridge's arm loosed
Its clasp and dropped Imply. She
looked up into his face with mute.
hunted eyes.
'Well?" The mans voice bore a note
OF uneasiness, despite his effort to an
pear natural. He took her cold nm
gers in his own and pressed them
gently.
Wait for me just moment" she
said, with Quivering lips. Il want to
go-there, for the last time. Tom"
Her eyes. strained with dry misery.
ooked toward the cleaning shafts
pointing skyward in the distance.
Etheridge released her mechanica,lv
urning away to hide a gathering
rown.
Mrs. Darlington lifted her skirts in
me hand and sped swiftly across the
ong, Eun-rusted grass, through a
mail. revolving gate and on down IN 9
he tiny. violet-bloomed grave. with
is simple cross Of white marble.
Within ten feet of the grave she
aused. the sound OF mans voice and
hat OF woman breaking sharply ON | I,
er ears. To the left was A wire
ench. screened from observation bv
dense clump of shrubbery. She sat
own out of breath. instinctiyely
rawing the dark veil closer about her
ice.
There's hardly any need of discus !
ng it further the man was saving !
! low, determined tone. Mrs. Car
ngton's teeth sank into her lip tin !
ie blood started as she recognized. !,
stinctly, her husbands voice. And :
ls woman-who was she? A fierce
ing shot through hcr--the bitterest
le had ever known. After all, then q
lc had been right; he had not only h
assd to care for her-but there was "
lofher woman! 8,
In a moment they came into view a
d both sat down on one of the b
inches. Mrs. Darlington shrank S,
'ser behind the sheltering shrub b
~. observing. with a sigh of unut- Il
able relief. that the woman was her o.