The daily tribune., 1907-07-16
THEIR SECOND
WEDDING
lcopyTisht. By Daily story Pub, Co
Sy A. J. PORTER.
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wife's movements. He was as intense
| ly jealous of her as he could have
been while she was his wife, and on
several occasions he had uttered
threats against her men friends xhc
kept company with her. He was
morose and taciturn; he stunned his
| friends. and apparently had no inclina-
tion to take part, as had been his wont,
| In the frolics at the club.
| There was something intangible I'M
| derlying Ludingtons nature which he,
| himself, could not define. At times,
! particularly when he was fired by
| wine. the cruel and vindictive side of
| his nature asserted itself, and then,
| again, he would be quiet and meek.
The former, however, was his state
| of mind as he sat at a table In a box
| in the Bellverdere roof garden. Toy
Ing with his glass, he gazed out over
| the glittering city at the glare of dis
| tant lights. From below, on the ave
nue., above the dull hum, arose the rat
| tie of passing carriages, the clang OF
| bells, blended with bits of jangling
song or jocund laughter, With the
| eyes of cynic Ludington watched the
gay crowds as they threaded their in
tricate way. here and there, around
the lanes of plants and potted palms.
The murmur of the chorus came to his
ears from the glaring stage at the far
end of the garden. He could see the
inviting eyes and shapely forms of the
painted beauties as they sang, Il Could
Love Million Girls"
All, what a mockery! All these
things-instinct with life and gaiety-
meant nothing to Ludington now.
What had his existence been since
their separation? 1t seems to him
boundless loneliness, barren waste,
where gray skies bend down forever
in the inexorable tide of events.
He had loved his wife as much as
any man can love, but she had misun-
derstood. Their natures were SO en-
tirely different. He loved her still,
but with a mad passion born of jeal-
ousy.
The blare of the band sounded far
away; the faces of the crowd became
incongruous shapes in the smoke
tinged atmosphere. Ludington's mind
was elsewhere: he was thinking of the
past, and what the dark, gloomy fu-
ture had in store for him.
A courteous waiter edged his way
down the aisle and touched Ludington
on the arm.
This is for you. sir he said, ex-
tending a note to him. "A lady in the
balcony asked me to hand 1t to you
Ludington took the scented note. He
1t was from his divorced wife, With
feverlsh fingers he tore it open and
read:
II will be at apartment II, Hotel
Savoy, ten. tonight. Come, If you
care to see me for the last time. l
have something to say to you.
MAE M'ROBERTS."
A new light in his eyes. Ludington
left the hall amidst the curious gaze
of the multitude, who had seen the
passage of the note His pulse throbbed
fiercely as he walked rapidly in the
direction OF the hotel why had she
sent for him?" he asked himself again
and again, but the only answer was his
beating heart.
The lights of the hotel fared out.
and Ludington composed himself. A
bellboy, after his palm had been
crossed. conducted Ludington TO his
erstwhile wife's apartments. In the
drawing-room he observed suggestions
Of her handiwork-pleasant reminders
OF other days.
A tiny antique lamp. suspended from
above. sifted a red glow over the cost
ly furnishings of the ROOM the bronze
clock on the mantel licked relentless
ly. a luscious American Beauty rose
In Chinese vase on the sideboard
brought to his mind the memory of
her warm, red lips, upon which he had
crushed kiss when he led her to the
altar. 1t was so vivid that It seemed
to him but yesterday.
Presently the door of her boudoir
opened and she entered smiling and
graceful. Ludlngton arose, stood for
an instant like one transigured, and
then swayed toward her In the Grim
son half-light. his breath coming quick.
But with little frightened cry she
evaded him.
Touch me not" she sobbed, cling
Ing to the silken tapestries draping
tho doorway. 81 belong to another.
Yesterday / married the man I love.
He has showcred upon me the love
for which ! craved and which you
never gave me. In week we sail for
Europe. But l could not go without
saying good-by. WIN you. will"
She stretched her hands toward him:
but he saw them not. He stood as one
dazed. the light died from his eyes
His face was like death. He staggered
to the door and passed out
The woman burst into tears.
Arthur. Arthur" she cried. Come
back. Don't love me this way. Just
one more word" But her voice only
echoed down the luxuriously carpeted
corridor.