The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-01-10
was sharing the woman's senses, the
sort OF thing that always snares that

SORT OF lulnE tnat always shares pudt
sort OF woman's senses To Evelyn the
woman herself was a snare and the
flashing jewels only a part of her.
over and over In the months that fol
lowed Feltus traversed the wretched
scene In the studio which had led to
their separation. 1t had been a blow
on naked nerves. The woman there
walking up and down the room re-
preaching him seemed not TO be
Evelyn, his wife. She was a cruel, i'm
perious ehangeling. One thing had
fixed itself upon his mind Immediately.
To accomplish any work whatever he
must 20 away Italy, Oh, no! In his
present condition he needed an en-
vironment that should serve as tonic
rather than weaken with emotional ex-
element. Norway or Scotland2 But
both were SO far from Mollie! The
the place where as boy he had
been wont to spend his summers.
Now that he had been there for
many months one memory in his part
ing from his wife still hurt him and
served as sort of scourge. The final
words spoken between them had been
friendly enough Evelyn was too pa
trician for anything else), but his art
lists eye of nnrelenting accuracy show
ed him that she looked smitten.
All, in the beginning how he had loved
her, his jewel eyed girl bride! Gas
kets of beryl, topaz and lapis lazuli,"
he had been heard to call her eyes.
And how he had dreamed that the cool,
folded petals of her nature would one
day, under his skillful handling I'M
shroud a latent, gorgeous bloomingi
His skillful handlingl Deft as his
fingers were with brushes, how they
had bungled with this woman's lott
If there had come a gradual hope TO
Feltus' breast that Evelyn might re-
call him, gradually, too, 1t had gone,
Her silence was as cold as the Cana
dian winter. But just as the last
vestige of hope seemed to have vanish
ed came telegram;
"Molle very i'll. Wants you. Come
at once"
On the small white bed In the dim
room Molie tossed YEARLY.
Il want Taddy, Taddy, but he won't
tum. "Oh-h.' pressing her little hand
to her stomach, 'it hurts!'
"Mollie-my BABY Feltus bent over
her, his gaze blurred with tears. One
of her quaint, beaming little smiles
greeted him. 4 jes' knowed you'd tum.
Taddyr' she cried.
After the first long embrace fever
ish within seized her. Il want tumble
tss. Oh, YOU haven't fordotted, Tad.
dy?" she cried In shrill tones OF dis
tress as a constrained silence ensued.
I'VE must humor her" murmured
Evelyn, with downcast eyes. Even
though it is foolish game, we can pre-
tend"
Presently, with infinite content the
child fell asleep. That Is what the ply
sicians had said she needed, Hereto
fore her rest had all been uneasy dozes
dominated by her unsatisfed wish for
her father.
The game" was over. but Feltus
still kept his arm about Evelyn.
she might waken. you know he
explained. nodding down at the baby
cheeks on which the long lashes rested
How still ii was In the room! How
loudly the cable cars changed Present
ly the man spoke again:
Don't you think -maybe-for Mol
lies sake 1t was then that Evelyn
broke In, irreverently, incoherently per
haps, but he understood
II know now. 1t was the chain ia the
painting. couldn't see TIL | overheard
some one explaining 1t at an art exhi
bition. oh, was vulgar, common,
thought
you did not understand me, sweet
heart. You never did" FeIms said sim
ply. But there was no hint Of reproach
In the big, protective gesture with
which he frightened his arm about her
"Wlll you try now, Evelyn he added
gently.
Yes" she murmurei Yes. oh yes
Norris
And Mollie slept-a sound. refreshing
sleep. An ineipient dimple showed In
her cheek and a pretty smile on her
baby lips. rs II in some fashion she
was conscious Of the worth of her min
istratiOn