Middletown transcript., 1903-12-12
CHAPTER TX

No; I don't believe she was, he ad
mitted.
CHAPTER TX
Yet, notwithstanding that the Coley
Fame Irritation was cleared up in man
ner SO highly satisfactory, the path Of
Gerard's life did not give any promise oi
becoming smoother. In truth it grew
rougher every day-rougher and more
impracticable.
When any one was within hearing
Gladys was so nice, so pleasant, and go
friendly, that he began to think her
anger was melting. Yet always, as soon
as they were left alone, the mask OF
frigidity he had learned to dread so much
was resumed, and he felt he was as far
from winning back his old place in her
heart as he had ever been.
As the weeks wore on, and the Christ
mas and New Years festivities passed
over, Gerard's feelings grew more and
more unhappy and strange. He felt like
q man in dream; and everything seemed
so unreal and so improbable.
On Christmas and New Years morn
ings he had found on his plate, when he
came down to breakfast, valuable gifts
from Gladys-on the former morning
pearl and diamond pin, and on the latter
set Of studs and sleeve-links to match.
Poor Gerard! He had impulsively gone
round the table to thank her; she looked
30 smiling and pleasant. But, although
she certainly put her fingers into his,
they might have been those of dead
woman for all the pressure they gave.
And 80 his dreamlike, unreal, false life
went on until the marriage day was close
at hand. He did not stay the whole time
at Hawthorndean. He had been several
times in town. as indeed had Gladys; and
there had been long consultations with
the family lawyer, long mornings when
Gerard had waited patiently in the great
West End shops while Gladys and Mrs.
Mcdonald spent almost fortune on
bridal finery, and very often whole days
during which he never saw them at all.
But he always noticed those same even
ings that Gladys looked especially tired,
and, on inquiry, he found she had been
in the merciless hands of dressmakes.
At length the three months of their
engagement were ended, and the last day
had come. Hswthorndean was filed
with guests from attic to cellar-literally
to cellar; for there were not enough bed
rooms for the visitors servants, and two
of the maids had turned out of theirs,
and made for themselves very comfort
able sleeping apartment in the driest and
warmest of the wine cellars; not however
without great amount Of scolding from
Gladys, and very much greater amount
of persuasion and many promises to be
Every CAREFUL to the butler.
/ consider it extremely foolish! Miss
Hawthorndean said, after reluctant con-
sent had been won from her. You know |
very well that they will take you in with |
pleasure at the vicarage!
Yes; but. Miss Gladys, one Of the twain |
replied, We don't have wedding every |
day; and, if we 60 to sleep at the Vicar
age, we shall have to leave the party ever |
20 much earlier than if we sleep at home.
Very well-do as you like, Gladys an.
swered, with laugh; only, if one or both |
of you should happen to have rheumatic
fever, remember that l have had nothing
to do with it.
Rheumatic fever! the two girls cried in
breath, and with the contempt youth
has for bodily ailments Of any kind.
How fond they are Of you'll said Gerard
wistfully. when the maids had departed.
Yes, returned Gladys briefly.
It's wonderful how the people about
the place worship you. he continued.
Oh, very nice! laughed Gladys sarcas-
tically.
I am sure it is nice when every one
about you loves you, and shows it, he
maintained stoutly, intending the next
moment to make last effort to gain bis
old place in her heart.
Her next remark unfortunatel, checked
his well-meant intention ON the spot, for
she observed quietly |
Very nice indeed-until you find them
outl And before he could reply she had
slipped away.
Gerard sat down on the nearest chair,
feeling that his last hope had passed from
him. He had constantly nourished and
cherished the tiny flower of hope; but it
was dead at last, he told himself. II
He would never win her back, never
'ee the dear violet eyes brighten for him
ss they had frightened once.
1t was OF no use hoping and wishing
md striving and fretting any longer. He l
had tried his best; and Gladys wonld not
10 anything on her side to meet him. |
he did not wish-did not expect her to i
meet him half way. II she would only
rave remained still, he could in time s
ave got up to her. But even that much
he would not do. No; as fast as he ad- C
anced, just as rapidly did she recede. v
1t seemed as if she could not remember
low dearly and deeply he had loved her, v
nd how hard lie had tried to make
mends- entirely ignoring the Chrystal
,oley episode. Nor could she forgot how :
9 had just once wronged her-wrongedi |
er and sacrificed himself-all for her
ood, for her worldly welfare as we'll as
i. She had apparently forgotten all /.
y love, and only bore in mind that he
IE'