The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-01-10
(Continued.)

enough"
And. without waiting for more she
moved out into shady corner Of the
sroep. She felt i'll and angry. and
sne sat down, studiously avoiding
CHANGING in her husbands direction.
He hesitated for a moment, then fin
ally lit his pipe and went out to the
stables
Mary's frame OF mind did not i'm
prove with his going. and she felt so
ill too. The heat, her aching head.
everything helped to jaundice her
view OF things. 1t was the first time
she had asked any favour of her hus-
band and received a fiat refusal. His
consistent kindness and anxiety to
fan in with her wishes had left her
wholly unprepared for this, and 1t
hurt her; hurt her pride, hurt some
thing else which she didn't UNDER
stand. He had most unreasonabiy
treated her like a silly child. She
did understand things, she told her
self; she had kept her mother and
sister, she had earned her living and
theirs. before ever he came into her
life what right had he to say she
could not understand; the truth was
he didn't want her to understand; he
didn't want to be bothered with her.
Why couldn't he have said so plain
ly instead of talking of hardships
and -thirsts"? She didn't love him,
didn't pretend to. But he pretended
TO love her. 1t must be a poor sort
of love that could make him act like
that What was the use of it all
She pressed her hands to her throb-
bling temples, and tears came into her
eyes
Her thoughts drifted on hysteri-
cally. They turned upon Guy. She
laughed bitterly. Ferman forced her
to-to cultivate his acquaintance.
Again she laughed while tears were
actually rolling down her flushed
cheeks He forced Guy upon her.
WelE anyway. Guy was kind and
thoughtful for her. Whatever he had
done i'm the past. however he had
treated. her. it was because he had
had no option. She felt that had
the two mems places been reversed.
Guy would not have refused such a
natural request as hers had been.
She heard the chatter of horses
hoofs, and looking up saw her hus-
band riding away. She watched
him, filled with bitterness and resent
ment, and az he disappeared she be-
came aware that she was chilly in
spite OF the intense heat of the day.
She felt utterly lonely and depressed,
and presently abandoned herself en-
tirely to an uncomfortable At Of
weeping. and. burying her face in her
hands, sobbed aloud for no better
reason than because she couldn't help
It.
She was aroused at length by a soft
fat hand which fell caressingly upon
her head. Raising her troubled eyes
she saw the housekeeper through a
mist of tears.
what Is it, dearie?" the old wom-
an asked in a gentle, compassionate
tone
And at the words Mary broke out
into a fresh burst of sobs. Tanta
remained dsilent until the At had sub.
raised her head and encountered the
tender blue eyes above her, she
pressed her for an answer.
"You ha'n't well, dearie?"
Mary shook her head.
I'm all right, Tanta," she sait
miserably.
Too much alone; too little to do
the old woman said, following out hel
own arguments.
Mary's weeping passed; she fell
better except for her headache.
81 shall be more alone soon," she
said ruefully. Then she went on in
answer to the look of inquiry in the
others eyes, 'Ferman is going away
for three or four months" And sht
gave a short laugh.
A look of satisfaction spread ovel
the fat face before her.
"And so you were crying?"
"Oh, no; not on that account
Mary said hastily.
"Ah.' Tanta smiled indulgently
She had watched husband and wife
closely in her own shrewd way fol
twelve months, and had realized
something of the position of things
Now she felt easier i'm her mind. Hel
thoughts flew at once to what she
considered the discontinue of Guy
Chalrer. She didn't like his pres
ence ut the farm. She didn't like
him; and there was a little jeer o;
triumph at his expense in her mind
"You needn't to take on. Hell
get back soon. Three months aim
much; and may be he'll be bringing
YOU hack some fine skins. He's
a great hunter"
"Oh no. He's not going hunting
s.Ah. then it's politics" Tanta wen
ON with assurance. My, he's grea
man. / never should be surprised
to see 'em make him Governor o.
South Africa one day, an give him 8
sr4ra fra Then vo1r'II ha a praa