Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-07-16

glanced up quickly, a strange IN
easiness stealing over her because
of his unusual manner
"You have no objection, dear?" she
urged impatiently. a half contemptu-
Gus note on the last word. She looked
narrowly at him, but his face was
quite unmoved. He had lighted a
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 second, then quiet
" left the room.
| His wife looked after the reeeding
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 a 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 Wetherell
seemed strangely short, in contrast to
the long, duh 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-
peeially, 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 converse
tion that of her husbands became
mere insipid twaddle. 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
erishly on her pillow, weakly strug-
Cling against the invidious shadows
that lowered about her. Ii was near
midnight when Disbrowe returned
from the Office, but she was keenly
alive to the sound Of his footstep. A
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. The |
book Of sentimentality, long closed be-
tween them, was now fully open 10 |
both. 0utwardly the time had passed |
uneyentfully, but the first subtle at
traction that had drawn the two to-
gether was now sprung into fierce life.
There was only a 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 slay-
ish devotion of a bungling husband,
but the consuming love of a nature in
affinity with her ownl
When Disbrowe came home the fol-
lowing night the house was in total
darkness. He entered with a 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
lbsently to take up the evening paper.
As he did so his keen eye singled out
l folded sheet of note paper on the
'eading table. There was no address;
le raised it slowly with hands that
hook beyond his control and read:
My Darling: / am compelled to be
lway from home this evening, much to
ny regret Forgive what must have
seemed like neglect for the past few
lays and believe me, always,
Your loving Violet"
When he had finished reading the
tote Disbrowe glanced hastily about
lin; then with a sudden impulse of I'M
peakable JOY he lifted the precious
lit of paper and held it fervently to
lis lips. After all then he had been
tut a blind, unreasoning fool! He
mathematical himself bitterly for the
art he had acted, resolving to make
Itonement in a thousand different
Ways as long as he lived. For an hour
lie did not move, unutterably glad of
ife; unutterably relieved, which was .
nore.
Presently the front door opened and
losed softly. He slipped noiselessly
nto the corridor and siezed his wife's
.ands in his, devouring her face with
lis eyes. Dear" he said TREMENDOUSLY, ,
i found your note and I've counted the
lours until your return. IL have been
brute to you, Violet; say that you ,
orgive mel"
She stared at him incredulously for
n instant, then swift comprehension
wept over her. He had read the note .
he had left for Jack Wetheren. There
vas a momentary feeling of terror,
hen a sensation of fierce resentment,
ollowed by one of quick revulsion.
Ter own wrongdoing flashed before
Ter in vivid contrast to this mans
rust. At the seeming evidence of one
rail fragment of affection on her part .
lie had counted as naught all the