The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-09-04

| ing, You will not agree to it? To
what? You are unreasonable. What
subject have l brought up?'
1T is very true that We have drifted
too far apart to be as we were in the
beginning. But there is still some
thing left to me, and this something
shall cling to as long as | can. mean
to avoid the publicity, the open expos
ure. the shame of-of-a neglected
wife"
My Cod" whispered Gregory, fall
ing back, then somebody has told you
about Springfeld-it was Fran"
u don't know what you mean" she
returned, apparently without emotion.
What l mean is, that | shall never
| consent to a divorce"
A divorce? Good heavens. Lucy
are you mad? Do you think l want
a separation because you disown the
church? What have | ever done to
make you imagine such an absurdity? ?"
She answered gently, Yes, it seems
| misunderstood. But you said you
wanted me to discuss the future in a
matter-of-fact way, and l couldn't
think of the future as having any other
matter-of-fact solution"
Gregory was holly indignant. Lucy
if that is meant as an insinuation
against"
Mrs. Gregory raised her hand com
pellingly. DO not speak any name"
she said, looking at him steadily Il
can endure much" she went on, in a
milder tone, finding him silent; Il
often wonder if many women could en-
dure as silently-but there must never
be a name mentioned between US"
Her manner was so unwogtedly
final, that he stood looking at her. not
knowing how to resume the pressing
subject of his past. They were in that
same silent attitude when Grace Noir
came in from the hall
Grace turned up the lights. and then
-"Oh!" 1t was impossible to prevent
an unpleasant compression of the
mouth at discovering Gregory so near
his wife. Am | in the way? | am
looking for company, and heard the
| doorbell-please excuse me-" she add,
ed, biting off the words.
of course you are not in the way"
Gregory returned desperately. Com
pany, you say? And you heard the
doorbell-is Bob Clinton" He grew
white. My eyes are bad, for some
reason" he muttered and switched off
the lights again
How very dark you have it in
here." said Grace reprovingly OF
| course Mr.. Clinton has been shown
the backparlor, where it is light. |
will go to him there, and leave you
two she paused irresolutely, but
neither spoke.
Grace had no sooner gone than Greg
DRY with an effort found his voice
Lucy, my conscience has tormented
me until it will not let me rest-aDout
you. It's right to know something
more about my life than l have ever
told"
Right in there" said the maids
voice from the hall, and Abbott Ash
ton and Robert Clinton entered the
half-light.
While Robert was greeting Mrs.
Gregory with exaggerated pleasure. in
order to escape facing her husband,
Abbott spoke to the other with an odd
sense OF meanness. as if he partook,
by mere nearness, of the others cow
ardice Il wish to speak to you for
a few minutes. Mr.. Gregory"
Gregory, like an animal brought to
bay, said, y suppose you've some ex-
cuse about playing cards with Fran"
More important than playing
cards" Abbott returned.
Gregory fought OFF the inevita BILE:
If you refer to losing your position
at the public school
NO, Clinton has come home from
Springfield, and we have q matter"
It's pressing business. spoke up
| Robert, who all this time had been
asking Mrs. Gregory if her mother was
we'll if Simon Jefferson was no worse,
if Fran was hearty, if Grace Noir was
at homeland private business.
q have no business" Mr. Gregory
exclaimed, in fear, that my wife need
not know
This is" cried Robert Then re-
Numbering, he struck the keys a re-
sounding chord
Mrs. Gregory was about to leave
the room
no, no." exclaimed Mr. Gregory.