The Monticellonian., 1905-03-02

not talk any more. will tell the serv- ants am going on a journey. don't want to make things disagreeab-e for you. And I shall go to-day
 He dropped her hands: he looked 2t her for T moment-at her white. set face, her eyes that did not soften iu the least as his glance met hers Then a proud, boyish rage entered his heart II she could go. if she could leave him, then. indeed, she did not, never had, loved him
 You will please yourself, of course, he answered, but whether you remain with me or leave me. you are still my wife-you are still bound to me, De good enough not to forget that.
 He scarcely saw his way as he crossed the room and left her-left her with great anger in his heart against her.
 She never loved me" he said to him self, never, never; let her go!"
 He found his way to his study, sat down, staring blankly before him for awhile, and scattered his papers heed lessly on the floor. Then his head dropped upon his hands, and his eyes were wet.
 As the door closed after him Mary trembled. So he had accepted the situa tion! Then, indeed, he did not love her She had expected pleading, pro testations; she had meant to forgive him; she had thought, indeed. they might begin again.
 He never loved me" she said to her self. T did not mean to leave him. I shall go now; I owe it to ny pride to go now"
 She dragged her steps to her room; she must put her things together. Where she should so she did not know-and did it matter? If she was not with him she did not care where she was There was plenty of hotels, but how lonely she would bel
 She opened the wardrobe and flung dress after dress upon the floor She must take something with her; it didn't matter what. Wherever she was he would not be there to see her.
 The light was growing gray outside: the room seemed cold. She wondered what he was doing. He had not gone from the house; he was waiting 10 see her off, perhaps-wondering why she was so long Could she have looked at him then she would have seen him sit ting with a miniature in his hand, look ing at the pretty face with tear dimmed eyes-would have heard his words: My little wife! seen him lift it to his lips.
 She had taken out all the dresses now. There was still something at the back of the warGrobe-something soft She took it down, drew il out. and ] swift rush of color swept her face
 In her hands she held an old velvet smoking coat; but the sight of it brought back flood of memories She remem- bered so well he had strolled over to her fathers house wearing il; he had found her in the conservatory, tending the plants; he Lad told her then that ha loved her. had taken her for the first time in his arms. kissed her. gained her promise that she would be his wife.
 AS she stood with the coat in her hand she remembered she mad been so happy; she could recall each word he had said each kiss he had given; and his arms, his dear arms. how tenderly, how close ly how fondly they had held her,
 She sank into chair, the coat pressed now close against her breast A little sob rose in her throat. tears came into her eyes. It was all overall over! His arms would never hold her again his lips would never kiss her more,
 Outside is growing darker still. She felt sad, lonely, and she must go soon. She had cut the ground under her feet burned her boats behind her: he would be wondering why she did not go.
 If only he would come to herl After all he did love her; she knew that well They had been foolish-proud If only he would come.
 She lifted the coat Then, while in the semidarkness the color burned in her face. she threw it around her-Grew the arms right across her. A faint smell of smoke chung to it yet. She could al most fancy she was in his arms, that their quarrel was a dream. that she was not leaving his home and hers for. ever
 He had laughed at her often for keep ing the old coat, for loving it almost as though it were something human. She would take it away with ner; he would never miss it.
 And then, quietly she began to cry, her soft cheek pressed to the old velvet sometimes her quivering lips. If only he would come to her, How could she go away?
 How long she cried. quietly but bitter ly-how soon, utterly exhausted, she dropped to sleep-she did not know The opening of the door aroused her; the switching on of the electric light And once more husband and wife-al- most children both-looked al one an other
 Looked. and understood that parting was impossible, the love was still there; looked while, as his eyes fell upon tGe old velvet coat, and he understood q flush swept her face. Then. with che swift stride. wife and coat all were taken into passionate embrace. words of lovf and forgiveness stumbled across their lips. and parting Was something tha; would never come while life should last -Ghicago Tribune