Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-04-29

De Narvile, standing at the door.
saw her. He fastened to her, holding
out his hand
"Are YOU here alone?" he questioned,
surprised.
For the moment" she answered. IL
am expecting friend. He was to
meet me here at g."
CHANGING up at giant gilt clock,
whose hands moved with annoying
slowness: at is not quite that yet"
she reflected, impatiently.
De Narville smiled down upon her.
MAY sit here opposite your he
asked, drawing out the chair, until he
comes?'
Certainly" she replied. and he took
the chair.
He observed her admiringly.
"You are looking beautiful tonight,
Jesslca," he began. "How dainty your
white Is. and that touch Of rose in your
hat ld-fashiened roses they are,
aren't they? On new-fashioned wom-
an. And your little fingers glittering
with Just enough diamonds, not too
many. Just enough. There are some
who make the mistake Of wearing dla-
monds to the knuckles, but you, never!
Dear me! The last time l saw you,
Jessica, you were in tears"
EYES," encouraglngly.
"You and he had just separated 1t
was very sad l was not surprised at
your tears. One must weep little for
any husband, worthy or unworthy. 1t
Is In the nature of woman. But I said
to myself, then, In couple Of weeks
or three she will be over 1t. She will
have entirely recovered And l must
say that my prophecy has been full
filled even sooner than expected, Jes-
sica. How long has 1t been? Three
weeks" After moment employed
in rapid mental calculation, "Three
weeks! And here you are, beaming
more beautiful than l have ever seen
you, and waiting for friend"
Half closing his eyes quizzically, he
bent toward her.
at is safe to say" he whispered,
shat this is not woman friend for
whom you are so impatiently watching
the hands of tho clock with whom you
are to dine"
A laugh commenced at Jessica's eyes
and finished at her lips.
Hardly" she replied.
IL thought not" declared De Mar
Vile. "And why should 1t be2 Why
not 60 out at once with your friends?
Must you make recluse of yourself,
while he has all the enjoyment posi-
BILE? He goes where he pleases. l am
certain of that. In fact l have seen
people who saw him dining here. there
and everywhere, with his acquaint-
ances, man or woman, as 1t suits him"
Here he paused for an interval, in
order to observe the effect. 1t was
rather disappointing than otherwise,
Jessica sitting under fire. composed as
monument and quite as calm. He by
and by continued:
AS matter of fact, Jessica, you
and he were never suited, you were
never intended for one another. Some
unkind fate"
Fate, you call It," repeated Jessica.
linen, delicately defining the differ
ehce: when 1t is unkind, 1t Is fate.
When 1t is kind. it is Providence. And
you call 1t fate?"
Some unkind fate" went on De
Narville stolidly, threw you together.
lou were too much alike In the first
pace. Both Of intensely nervous tenn
peraments. excitable, high-strung, 1t
was not In the nature Of things that
you could live together longer than
year. Indeed, many predicted sep
aratlon at the end of six months, or, at
the very least, seven. But 1t has been
year, hasn't it,?
Tonight" said Jessica, softly, ais
the anniversary of our wedding.
De Narville laughed.
AND here you are" presently, "cele-
prating 1t by dining out with a friend!
.ou are nothing, Jessica, IL not up to
uate' You are more. You are unique,
u, unusual All your friends say that.
,hey say you are quite right in making
Tue thing final. You are so superior to
MN IN every way. You have wasted
year of your life on him."
'esslca shrugged her shoulders ever
60 slightly.
And what do they say of him 2" she
question. This. That he has wasted
year of his life on mel"
De Narville frowned.
DON'T know, am sure, what they