The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-06-07
The rtsle swiss clock struck nine.

The cloud on the domestic horizon
was in plain view Of anyone thai
cared to look.
Are you quite through with hero
ics?' asked the man He carefully
folded his napkin and, leaning witt
both elbows on the table, sat staring
IN the face OF the woman opposite, a
cynical smile on his lips.
Tine woman bit her lip ~neryously
and endeayored to repress the tears
that showed in her gray eyes.
Allowing for the feminine tenden'
cy toward the hysterical he began,
II believe YOU have stated or position
quite clearly, and ! might aud Louise,
that 1t is better we should come to an
understanding here and now. Do you
follow me?" His voice was cold and
even,
Yes exclaimed the girl, hesitat,
ingly. a tremur in her voice.
Nov, let lis look at our situation
s~quarely." he went on. is there any
wish you express that remains ungrat.
ifed?'
NO she murmured, family, lex.
ceptlng one, You promised to marry
me, and
Everyone takes you to be a mar.
ried woman" he broke in. why COM
plain?"
L am only asking what you prom
ised should be, It's my right. Think
of my positi 4 before the world" she
answered.
He sighed deeply and turned his
head away, annoyed. In his agitation
he accidentally knocked over the al
most empty bottle of wine at his ell
bow, and 1t ran in little rivulets over
the snowy white cloth, leaving behind
a pool that showed blood red on the
white, at which he gazed fascinated,
You will marry ne, Billy, won't
your" she pleaded, laying her hand on
his arm to arouse him.
"Oh, enough of this" rudely throw.
ing her aside. You knew ! vas a
married man since first we met"
Eyes, but later you said you had Sc.
cured a divorce and would marry me
as o o as possible and
Il was a little premature, | confess.
/ expected a divorce, but the courts
decided otherwise, So, you see, can
not marry you, even If | wanted to-"
he said, looking up.
The girls breath came and went In
short. hoarse gasps, and she stood
with white, staring face, seeming I'M
able to comprehend what he said.
so you lied to me. You were ly.
ing all the time?" There was no
shrieking, no anger in her voice, just
contempt, keen and cutting. His
face colored ~perceptibly, but he stroye
to remain calm and appear Indifferent.
Il can't mary you, that's certain,
and. besides, | suppose you have made
up your mind not to live with me now,
but I'll provide for you and the"
The look on her face frightened him,
causing him to stop,
You'll provide for me. You'll-why,
I'd rather beg in the streets than
touch a penny of yours"
He tried to speak, but she would not
listen. There is 20 need of you say
ing anything more I wouldn't believe
anything you would say. It's plain
that all the love you p~rofessed for me
was nothing but passion. You took
advantage of my love and youth, and
now"
He turned to the window and stood
looking into the street below.
The sobbing had ceased for some
time. When he turned around he
found her sitting In an armchair, gaz-
ing into the open fire. The agony of
mind she had undergone was ex-
pressed in the ~deepened lines about
the mouth, and he shrank at the look
of pain in her face.
Annette she called, suddenly, in
a hoarse, strange voice.
"Oui, madame"
Fetch my writing materials and
get ready to deliver a note"
The ticking o. the little Swiss clock
could be distinctly heard above the
scratching of the pen and the sobs
that now and then escaped her. He
turned from the window to the side.
board and gulped down a pony OF
brandy. Crossing to where she sat he
stood in front of her and demanded
in an angry tone: ITO whom are you
writing?"
My brother she replied, without
raising her head.
The silence fell between them
again and continued until long after
the servant had returned from her
errand. and was fast becoming unbear.
able.
Look here, Louise" he said, at
last, I'D like to know what you intend
to dor
Dol" she repeated. ooh, yes,
what | intend to do! I'm going to-
well, you will find out soon enough
what am going to do. You need moi
worry about me"
I'm glad you looked at this matter
in a sensible light" he remarked, rub
bling his hands with satisfaction. The
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