Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-05-28
A Difference
of Opinion ~
BY
NELLIE CRAVEN GILMORE
Copyright, 1909. By Daily Story Pub. Co.,

IT WAS well past IL o'clock when
| Disbrowe reached his home, but
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
softly, dear little woman, perhaps
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
fame 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 sycamores
moved gently in the dapple moon
light.
How placid and beautiful the world
might have been, 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 indefnable foreboding as the
panorama of the past flashed sharp
w across his brain.
After awhile he drew a deep breath
and his hand went involuntarily to
his pocket. resting there l.ngeringly,
with a sort of regretful affection.
For an instant, a look of gratified
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 ierked 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
sbrivelling to the core.
With a 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 a rest
less slumber. Toward dawn, he was
dimlv conscious of footsteps on the
veranda; there was buzz of voices
then his wife's low laugh broke musi-
cally on the still air and he fell into
a profound sleep that lasted till
morning.
Dawn broke gradually into a 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 a sudden assumption
Of interest. Presently she glanced
up into her husbands face, look of
apprehension that was almost fear.
leaping to her eyes as they encoun-
tered his. They were dull and sunk
en- and his face bore startling
ralIor. He made some casual re-
mark and his wife replied in kind.
after which constrained silence en-
sued.
After awhile, Violet glanced fur
lively toward her husband and her
lip eurled family. And that man is
my husband" she reflected with a
sbiver, "I belong to him." mentally
comparing his rugged exterior TO the
polished grace of the other men with
whom she associated.
Awkwardness was perhaps the one
word that best described the whole
man. Long. loosely put together, his
attenuated height serving only TO
accentuate the first impression of
urliness. he was not rendered more
attractive by the clumsiness that
emphasized every movement.
The woman was the first to break
the silence. "I have asked Jack
Wetherell to spend the week with
us-you don't mind? He leaves for
the front next week and I thought
She broke off, toying hesitatingly
with her coffee-spoon.
A sudden hardness came into Dis
browe's face He rose sharply and
pushed back his chair. His wife
N