The Tupelo journal., 1905-03-03

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; be good
enough not to forget that"
He scarcely saw his way as he crossed
the oom and left her-left her with a
great anger in his heart against her.
she never loved me-" he said to him
self, never, never; let her co."
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-
ton! 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. Il did not mean to leave him.
| shall go now; | owe it to my pride
to go now"
She dragged her steps to her room;
she must put her things together. Where
she should go she did not know-and
die it matter? If she a not with him
she did not care where she was. There
was plenty of hotels, but how lonely she
would be!
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 "a 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 TO 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 nov.
There vas still something at the back
of the Notwithstanding soft. She
too it down, drew it out, and a swift
rush of color swept her face.
In her hands she held an old velvet
smoking coat; but the sight of it brought
back a flood of memories. She remem-
bered SO well he had strolled over to her
fathers house wearing it; he had found
her in the conservatory, tending the
plants; he had told her then that he
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 had 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 a chair, the coat pressed
now close against her breast. A little
sob rose in her throat, tears came into
her eyes. 1t 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 her! After
h4 Ii1 Love hnr. Hh1 1-1,- No.. x-zI-
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-drew
the arms right across her. A faint smell
of smoke chung to it yet. She could al
fancy she was in his arms, that
their quarrel was a dream. that she was
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 her; he would
never miss it.
And then. quietly, she began to cry. |
soft cheek pressed to the old velvet
her quivering lips. If only
he would come to her! How could she
go away?
How long she cried, quietly but bitter
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-aI- |
children both-looked at one an
Looked, and understood that parting |
was impossible. the love was still there; |
looked while, as his eyes fell upon the
DID velvet coat, and he understood, a
flush swept her face. Then, with one
swift stride. wife and coat all were taken
INTO a passionate embrace, words OF love
md forgiveness stumbled across their
Ups, and parting was something thai
would never cOme while life should last.
Chicago Tribune.
ion ro nou p1O -z.-I -