The Press., 1903-11-19


 forgotten 1t? I don't believe she ever travelled alone before. and it's a whole hour to wait in this hole. Don't know the long, interminable dragging on of the minutes, don't know-ah, but il did not seem long last year when we waited here together"
 He passed out on to the deserted platform and. lighting a 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 cheeks. Her cool. gray eyes regarded his steadily for a moment, then she turned her face slowly from him. But the man, lifting his hat, advanced quickly. x
 "Margaret," he cried as he stood be- fore her, T want to talk to you" Her baffiing gray eyes met his with no trace of embarrassment.
 'I know of nothing you can have to say to me. You were very explicit Nothing of importance was omitted but if 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. I can just see the table blazing with lights and flowers, the dear old batter 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. I am afraid the little mother will not like that. She has aI- ways had perfect faith in her sons-in- law"
 'It 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 to infiict his com pany upon his-the woman'-
 His wife," he finished gently. "Why hesitate? Is the word so hateful to you? A separation is not a divorce, you know. I don't want to force my self upon you, Margaret But I cannot get the little mother out of my mind. Do they know at home of our trouble p
 The girl was silent for a 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 l regret, and now you are making me do the one thing have al- ways loathed with all my soul. You have forced me to lie to them for the first time in my life! I 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. I shall tell them that just as we were starting an urgent telegram came from the Hail. fax branch demanding your immediate presence. Oh, I shall get through! have had my schooling. The last words were rather faint, but she threw back her head and added almost fierce ly, And 1t will not be acting to show them how happy I amp
 He did not tell her that her face, her voice, her very attitude, belied her words. for something was teaching him wisdom. Instead he answered gently:
 'Tt will be impossible to deceive the little mother. When those clear blue eyes look into yours and her soft voice asks, Why, Madda, 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 go not only out of the anniversary dinner, but out of her life. You know how she regards such things. Margaret, don't you think that for her sake and the pa- ter's had better go down with you just for the dinner? I can make my excuses and lea se on the midnight train tomorrow. shall not trouble you, believe me. Iiley must not be al- we are alone we shall be as strangers. shall not even talk to you if you do not wish it. There is plenty of time for you to decide. I am asking nothing for myself-I know that that is fruit less-but 1 am pleading for the little mother and the pater"
 He turned as he finished speaking and left her alone.
 It seemed scarcely five minutes be- fore she heard his voice again. "The Aylwin train is coming" he said. ''EhalI I get ticketT
 ~Yes," she answered simply.
 The cars were crowded, but he found . seat. and, putting her in 1t with the old air of proprietorship sthat haa al ways been so sweet to her, he seated himself beside her in silence.
 The train rattied on, and as they sat % near together. yet SO verR far apart, the thoughts of each turned to the last time they had travelled that road to- gether. on their first visie home after their honeymoon.
 How happy they had been thenl How happy they might have been now if only that little rift withinthe lute- Through the mind of each the same questions rang-had there been just ag!a mqzaezank oaMse9 A little patience,