Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-02
A fference of Opiroios, v
 By
Copyright, 1903. by Daily Story Pub. Col
NELLIE CRAVEN GILMORE

Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Col
 TT WAS we'll past Il o'clock when ! Disbrowe reached his home, but a bright light still gleamed 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 flame leaped to his eyes as he turned them, tentatively, toward the sitting room. He took a 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 flat 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 ~a3n %0 0f @ho win NNUS 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 ly across his brain.
 After awhile he drew 8 deep breath and bis hand went involuntarily to his pocket, resting there 1ingeringly, with a sort of regretful affection. For an instant, 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 gesture of quick lcathing, he jerked them back and turned from the window. What mat tered it? Fame, success, wealth. oI aI o11% T17n0IxorU when the very heart within him was shrivelling to the core. ~,
 With sigh he sought his sleeping room, taking off his clothes in 8 half dazed fashion that betrayed the mastery of some terrible emotion He was exhausted after the days strain and soon dropped into rest less slumber. Toward dawn, he was dimly conscious of footsteps on the veranda; there was a buzz of voices, then his wife's low laugh broke musi- cal1y on the still air and he fell into a profound sleep that lasted till morning.
 Dawn broke gradually into 8 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, a 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 a startling pallor. He made some casual re- mark and his wife replied in kind, after which a constrained silence en- sued.
 After awhile, Violet glanced fur lively toward her husband and her lip curled faint1y. And that man is my husband" she reflected with a shiver, "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 acoentuate the first impression of ugliness, 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 glanced up quickly. a strange un- easiness stealing over her because of his unusual manner.
 You have no objection, dear?" she urged impatient1y, a half contemptu' ous note on the last word. She looked narrowly at him, but his face wax quite unmoved. He had lighted Q cigar and was smoking mechanically |