Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-02

der. For the first time in their mar ried life he had not offered to kiss her goodbye at parting! For a moment this show of indifference stung her into swift resentment. But it was merely transient. All thought of the tiresome husband vanish ed before the image of the man who threatened to bring a shadow into the hitherto blameless home.
 That evening with Jack Wethereu seemed strangely short, in contrast to the long, dull hours she was sometimes forced to spend in her husbands so- ciety. With what force and cleverness he touched upon the subjects of the day; the latest triumph in the world of art, of litera ture-the one book es- pecially, about which two worlds were to rave. After the great originator, the great interpreter; and such was Wethereu. His every word was teem- ing with interest; so different from the vapid discussions with which Disbrowe was wont to regale himself.
 By the side of this mans converse tion that of her husbands became mere insipid twaddle. The thought that she was the wife of such an one grew more and more intolerable with every hour.
 All through the night she tossed few erishly on her pillow, weakly strug- gling against the invidious shadows that hovered about her. It was near midnight when Disbrowe returned from the office, but she was keenly alive to the sound of his footstep. A nameless apprehension that was al- would the future bring forth?
 The week went by on golden wings and Wetherell still fingered. The book of sentimentality, long closed be- tween them, was now fully open to both. Outwardly the time had passed uneventfully, but the first subtle att traction that had drawn the two to- gether was now sprung into fierce life. There was only a wild, insatiate desire to escape from the desperate monot- ony of her everyday life. To one of her temperament, she argued, great devotion was necessary; not the slav- ish devotion of bungling husband, but the consuming love of nature in affinity with her own!
 When Disbrowe came home the fol- lowing night the house was in total darkness. He entered with a dull fore- boding pressing like physical burden against his heart. He sat down wear fly to rest, all capacity for thought seeming to have gone from his over- charged brain. Presently he turned absently to take up the evening paper. As he did so his keen eye singled out folded sheet of note paper on the reading table. There was no address; he raised it slowly with hands that shook beyond his control and read:
 My Darlings am compelled to be away from home this evening, much to my regret. Forgive what must have seemed like neglect for the past few days and believe me, always,
 Your loving Violet"
 When he had finished reading the note Disbrowe glanced hastily about him; then with sudden impulse of un- speakable joy he lifted the precious bit of paper and held it fervently to his lips. After all then he had been but blind, unreasoning fool! He mathematical himself tterly for the part he had acted, resolving to make atonement in 8 thousand different ways as long as he lived. For an hour he did not move, unutterably glad of life; unutterably relieved, which was more.
 Presently the front door opened and closed softly. He slipped noiselessly into the corridor and siezed his wife's hands in his, devouring her face with his eyes. Dear" he said tremulously, "I found your note and I've counted the hours until your return. Fl have been brute to you, Violet; say that you forgive mel"
 She stared at him increduIous1y for an instant, then swift comprehension swept over her. He had read the note she had left for Jack WethereH. There was 8 momentary feeling of terror. then sensation of fierce resentment, followed by one of quick revulsion. Her own wrongdoing flashed before her in vivid contrast to this mans trust. At the seeming evidence of one frail fragment of affection on her part he had counted as naught all the sIASACss ucS1cCC, even SuS6rS that naQ been heaped upon him for another and in that others presence.
 For long time she was silent, a great thankfulness in her heart for the salvation that had come to her in time. Presently she lifted her hand and laid it gently on her husbands head, noticing now for the first time, the stipples of silver that lay thick among the heavy masses of hair.
 "It is who should ask forgiveness, dear," she whispered Her lips quiv- cred painfully and a pleading look came into the blue eyes.
 Disbrowe laid ono of his big hands on her brown curls and laughed away her seriousness. He patted her softly on the cheek and stopping whispered something in her ear.
 She looked at him with 8 startled ex- clamation. And you did not tell me- she cried eproachfully. ''So you are the wonderful 'incognito,' the rising star on the literary horizon! Oh, n;o1y 6oua