Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-04-23
Continued.

tldI, dIIer Uncle huSu Hdu SOuCJ L
grew not to care for anything, to feel
as if | was never awake, that | was
looking at you, at everything, through
a veil. But the last few days that has
passed off, and see things. | see that
you are unhappy oh, don't tell me
you are not, for | know. If you have
ever been so unhappy as | have you
can always tell. Well, and | am so
sorry, | can't help thinking it would
do you good if you knew how sorry /
am. For | see that you would never
have chosen that things should be as
they are between us. It's not pos
sible. Nobody chooses to live miser-
ably, and when you used to come and
see me at Kensington, and rest your
head upon my shoulder and look into
my eyes, and implore me to marry you
soon, soon, you never meant to make
me miserable then"
What's the good of looking back?
Marriages are Just as often failures as
not, with nobody to blame I'm not
blaming you. Only for goodness
sake don't be sentimental. Marriage
is like toothache When you are
once in for it there you are, and it's
got to be borne"
But, Ned, there's always a best or
a worst to be made of it, and we're
not making the best-now, are WEI"
81 don't see my way to making any
thing better Of it,
Don't you? Won't you try?"
what do you want? What do you
expect me to do?" he asked, with an
impatient movement. ITO spend my
evenings sitting looking at you while
you make crochet, as Uncle Hugh was
contented to do? Or to do crochet my
self"
Although he spoke roughly, he was
not yet unkind. Alma was encouraged
to answer steadily, though in the low,
pleading tones she had used through
out the interview:
Il want you to look me in the face
not only when you wish to csmpel
me to do things, but always. Then
you will presently see in my eyes
something besides fear | want you
to speak to me as to a woman, and
not to a dog, and then presently you
will see in me more than the dumb
obedience of a dog. | want you to eat
two meals during the day with me,
and you will presently find that face
which is the brighter for seeing you
is a sauce that goes well with every
thing. That is all want at first, Ned;
in few weeks 1t will be for you to
ask more"
Ned, half turning, stole a look at
her, and he was not too insensible to
the charms of her delicate beauty,
her face to think that perhaps she
was right.
'Will you dine with me this even.
ing?' she asked, venturing to place
one hand upon his arm. "You are
not busy today. You might easily be
home in time"
But these words made him start
violently, for they recalled him to the
facts of his nights journey and the
promise il involved. 1t cost him an
effort at first to resume his toughest
most brutal manner, but the next mo
ment this very fact served to increase
his savagery, and Alma's pale face
drawn and contorted in an instant
with the old horror, irritated him al
most to frenzy,
That's enough of this sentimental
ISM" he said, with black scowl, as
he shook her hand roughly from his
arm. You're excited, that's what il
is. This precious DR.. Armathwaite's
prescriptions don't agree with you
I'm better doctor than he any day
Come here"
Alma had shrunk back. and was re
treating towards the door. At his
imperative command, she turned
slowly with stony face, but did not
come nearer to him. She was strug
Cling against the power he had ex
ercised over her for so long
Come here," he repeated.
She hesitated, fighting against the
benumbing force of his will for a mo
ment longer, clenching her hands
forcing her eyes to look down. away
anywhere but at him. and crying out
in her heart to be delivered from the
tyranny which was tightening over
her again. But she had been in sub
lection too long and too recently fol
her weak efforts to be of any avail
against her wish, against her wni
the heavy eyelids we're slowly raised
and the long sweet brown eyes. nov
wide with despair, met those of he
husband. and remained fixed with di
lated pupils, in a fascinated gaze
Hitherto her fall into the heav,
hypnotic sleep had been managed 81
neatly by Crosmont, with such al
adroit preparation of placing her OF
sofa and reading to her, that it haC
been easy enough to deceive her int
doubling whether there was anything
unnatural in her slumber. But now
for the first time he was reckless
while she. with her faculties the keen
err for the rest and kindness of the
~o.+ for+nicht eaw dimlv and stupid