The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-04
THE WOMAN IN WHITE
BY WILLIAM w. COLLINS.

might not have been fine enough 10 dis
cover--these considerations. and others
like them. kept me self-distrustfuliy ST.
lent. And yet I knew that the restraint
on both sides must be ended; that the
relations In which we stood toward one
another must be altered. In some settled
manner, for the future and that ~ rested
with me, In the FIRST instance, TO recog
nize the necessity for a change.
The more | thought OF our position. the
harder the attempt 10 alter II appeared,
while the domestic conditions in which
we three had been living together since
the winter remained undisturbed. | can
not account for the cspricious state OF
mind I'm which this feeling originated but
the idea nevertheless possessed me. that
some previous change Of place and cir
cumstances. some sudden break I'm the
quiet monotony OF our lives. so managed
as TO vary the home aspect under which
we had been accustomed 10 see each 9TH
er might prepare the way for me To
speak, and make IL easier and less en-
oarrassing for Laura and Marian TO hear.
With this purpose in view. said one
morning that thought we had all earned
little holiday and change OF scene:
After some consideration IL was decided
that We should go for fortnight to the
seaside
on the next day we left Fulham. for a
quiet town on the south coast. At that
early season Of the year we were the only
visitors In the place, The cliffs. the
the solitary condition which was most
welcome 10 US The air was mild the
h Iaaea gSod SS the sns ns
April light and shade and the restless
sea leaped under our windows. as II II
felt, like the land. the glow and freshness
I owed IT to Marian TO consult her be
fore | spoke 10 Laura. and TO be guided
afterward by her advice.
On the third day from our arrival |
found NJ opportunity of speaking to her
alone. The moment we looked at one an
other her quick instinct detected the
IL expression. With her customary en-
ergy and directness, she spoke at once.
and spoke first
You are thinking OF that subject which
was mentioned between US on the evening
OF your return from Hampshire she
said. II have been expecting YOU 10 AL
lude 10 IL for some time past There
must be a change In our little household.
Walter; we cannot go on much longer as
we are now. see IL as plainly as YOU
do-as plainly as Laura sees II; though
old times in Cumberland seem % have
come back! You and are together again.
and the one subject OF interest between
US Is Laura once more. could almost
fancy that this room is the summer house
AZ Limmeridge. and that those waves be-
yond us are beating on our seashore.
past days" ! said, and now. Marian.
with reliance tenfold greater. will be
guided by II again.
She answered by pressing my hand. !
saw that she was deeply touched by my
reference to the past We sat together
near the window. and while ] spoke and
she listened we looked at the glory OF
the sunlight shining on the majesty of
the sea.
Whatever comes of this confidence be-
tween us" I said. whether N ends hap
PLY or sorrowfully for me. Lauras in
terests will still he the interests OF my
life. When we leave this place. on what
ever terms we leave II. my determination
to wrest from Count Fosco the confession
which 7 failed 10 obtain from his acom-
plice goes back with me 10 London as GER
tainly as 7 Ro back myself. Neither YOU
nor I can tell how that man may turnIbn
me. n bring him 10 bay: we only know
by his own words and actions that he Is
capable Of striking at me. through Laura
without moments hesitation or
moments remorse. In our
present position. ! have no claim on her
which society sanctions. which the law
allows. 10 strengthen me in resisting him
and In protecting her. This places ne at
a serious disadvantage. II | am 20 fight
our cause with the count. strong in the
consciousness ~ Lauras safety, 7 must
fight u for my wife. Do you agree 10
that Marian. so far7"
ITO every word II it," she answered.
81 will not plead out Of my own heart"
I went on; will not appeal to the love
which has survived all changes and all