The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-11-03

The train stopped with a jolt. and
the passengers thronsed out. filling the
station with hustle and confusion.
Chatterton. who was on his way to
Halifax, was looking idly out of the
smoker window, when suddenly there
passed across his range of vision n GER
tain well cut profile which he knew
could belong TO only one woman in the
world. Without an instant's hesitation
he picked up his hat and left the car.
clearing the steps just rs the train
started heavily forward.
The small station was crowded with
people. and Chatterton looked some
time for the lady of the profile before
he espied her sitting quietly in one cor
ner OF the dingy waiting room.
She had thrown open her coat and
was leaning back against the wall with
closed eyes. evidently prepared TO wait
some time. Chatterton seated himself
| in the opposite corner of the room and.
drawing out n paper. pretended TO read
the while he watched her furtively
People passed and repassed between
them. The noise and confusion ebbed
and flowed as train after train came I'm
and departed.
Then all at once lull came. Silence
reigned on the platform, and Chatter
ton suddenly realized that he and the
lady were alone I'm the waiting room.
lie rose and went out abruptly. and as
he passed through the door he stopped
, for a moment before time table that
hung beside II. one name having
caught his eye.
"Aylwin.'' he muttered. '-Of course
| going home for the dear old peoples
! anniversary dinner. How could have
| forgotten It: | don't believe she ever
| Travelled alone before. and it's whole
hour TO wait in this hole Don't know
the long. interminable dragging on of
the minutes. don't I know-ah. but it
did not seem long last year when we
waited here together!'
He passed out on 10 the deserted
| platform and. lighting n cigar. smoked
furiously while he paced up and down.
revolving many things in his mind.
At last. throwing back his head with
a sudden resolution. he tossed aside his
| cigar and re-entered the waiting room.
As the door closed behind him the
| girl in the corner opened her eyes. and
a sudden wave of color touched her
checks. Her cool. gray eyes regarded
his steadily for moment, then she
turned her face slowly from him. But
the man. lifting his hat. advanced
| quickly.
Margaret" he cried as he stood be-
fore her. 81 want TO talk to you" Her
battling gray eyes met his with no
trace of embarrassment.
| II know of nothing you can have to
say TO me. You We're very explicit.
Nothing OF Importance was omitted.
but II something else has occurred to
you you have my lawyers address and
can communicate with him"
He made no answer for a moment.
then he said abruptly:
You are going home for the anni-
versary dinner tomorrow. | can Just
see the table blazing with lights and
flowers, the dear old pater beaming
with pride and the little mother all
soft smiles and tender happiness. To-
morrow will be the first time there has
ever been an empty place at the anni-
versary dinner. | am afraid the little
mother will not like that. She has al
ways had perfect faith in her sons-in-
law"
| 1T is easy TO deceive old people, she
interrupted. particularly such dear.
guileless. trustful old people as they.
Will you kindly leave me? Under ex-
isting circumstances no gentleman
should have TO be reminded that he has
renounced his right 10 infiict his COM
pany upon his-the woman
His Wife" he finished gently why
hesitate? Is the word so hateful to
you? \ separation IS not n divorce.
self upon you, Margaret But | cannot
get the little mother out OF my mind.
Do they know nj home of our trouble.''
The girl was silent for n moment.
then she faced him suddenly. her eyes
blazing.
NO" she cried: they don't. You
are not the only one who loves them,
You have been the cause OF my doing
much that | regret. and now you are
making me do the one thing I have al.
ways loathed with all my soul. You
first time in my life. have told them
nothing yet OF the truth. In my letters
| have always added your love and
such messages as you used TO send
They expect You tonight. ! shall tell
them that just as we were starting an
urgent telegram came from the Hall.
fax branch demanding your immediate
presence. oh. shall get through. |
have had my schooling" The last
words were rather faint. hut she threw
back her head and added almost fierce
ly. And It will not be acting TO show
them how happy am
He did not tell her that her face. heI
voice. her very attitude. belied heI
words. for something was teaching hin
wisdom. Instead he answered gently
''It will be impossible to deceive the
little mother. When those clear blue
, eyes look into yours and her soft volc,
asks. Why. NADIA. where's our Ted
dyT all lies will shrivel up and die
! You will have TO tell her everything
and that will mean that all joy will e
not only out of the anniversary dinner
but out of her life. You know how sh,
regards such things. Margaret. dom
J you think that for her sake and the pa
ter's I had better go down with yor
/ just for the dinner? can make my
. excuses and l.ave on the midniGh
train Tomorrow I shall not troubl.