A Bachelor Husband

might have been,

woman's heart co

fe was barren,

reaking of Tim

at, as far as Chris was concerned, she need expect nothing more

always known-selfish and irr

r, her love in no way lessened. She felt that it would be much more for her happine

would not let him hurt her, but it was useless. The first cold glan

always exerted every nerve to appear bright and happy; she went out of her way to talk to Chris. She was

e clearest. Miss Chester had long ago discovered for herself that this marri

rs over it in secret and lay awake night after night wondering what she could do to

peraments with which she had to contend; she knew just how proud Marie was, just

came and went as he chose, and he said no more about look

spoke of it o

a house of your own? I love you to be with me, but I am

," Marie answered, in the too quiet voice

antly. "Every wife wants her own home; it's only natural, an

wearily. What great store e

ed and amuse herself; but Marie had not yet learnt the value of money, and bey

ring when they were married. One afternoon when they were lunch

ess of the question made her smile; there was something so bo

ink I ought to have

r women have trinkets and things, and pearls would suit you, you'r

ress, feeling almost happy; she was so easily influenced by Chris-a kind word or thought from him kept her

n overnight had washed the smoky face of London cle

, and was glad when Chris said that he

lf into the belief that Chris did care for her a little after all, and that it was only his awkward

of beautiful pearls-and were having tea that Chris said suddenly

up with sta

hoed quietly. "Do

nswered quite naturally: "No, can't you make friends or

rushed t

ered, "but not many. I don't think I was

t ask her to

a little

w gone together in her mind; they were both essentially men's women-very gay and companionable-and

d with a shrug. "But it seems a pity not to have a better time, Marie C

? What woul

ed nonp

like that," he explained vaguely. "I don't know much about women,

said: "You mean that it would please y

," he admitted awkwardly. "It's not natural for a girl of your ag

ache the kindly warning which Feathe

hose to try!" He had said just those words to her many times, and though in her heart she had always k

r her, but as it was, she was always fearful of annoying him

ter a moment. "Why not go down to the country, or to somewhere you've never

laughed

t to school in France, and to Brighto

it a ci

re's no reason why you shouldn't go to Wales o

he color receding from her cheeks. So

n sitting there dumbly for many minut

ill-later on

ight on her throat. She wondered hopelessly what he was going to say next, and once

t his eyes averted from her told her a good deal, or perhaps little Marie Celeste was

of me! Why don't you find a frien

r his reply, and it seeme

ng about it when I saw him last

d everything else to do with her fateful wedding.

ay?" she asked

, but he asked me to run up to St. Andrews with him later on for some golf. You don't care for gol

lever of him to put it that way, sh

t you go? You w

me, and there was a vague sort of

ure you d

he idea of his going away from her more than anything in the world. "Of course I don't mind;

ght . . . well, if you are

tle pause. "Perhaps Mr. Daker

uld think. I heard fr

he sti

we had made any pl

t Feathers at least-with all his contempt for women and marriage-

oat ached with tears, which she had ke

had been crying, and she was sure that it made hi

which was the result of his habit of frowning, was beautiful

and the very name conjured up visions of his old tweed coat and the thick low-heeled shoes he 118 always

of it seemed to speak of wide stretches of moorland

lessly, and Ch

ll w

I am r

ut this afternoon, why he had suggested that pearl necklace; it was a

used to be left at home-would have cried and made a scene; but the heart

to try and keep him a

her tired mind, trying to find a way out of the enta

happy! Surely there must be women in the world suffic

sant to see her again. She wrote the following morning, and asked Dorothy to come to London. "Chris is going a

, not in the very least because she wished to leave London, or to visit any p

Chester what

would not mind,

was pleased

would get on together," she said innocently. "T

bit he

and," she said, "golfing with

r dropped h

want to put some color into those pale cheeks. If it is for my sake

ughed ne

urneys. You know I do. I would much rather

e the idea of husband and wife being separated when there is no need for it,"

e said. "Think how pleased we shall

rothy's reply to her letter

efore I got your letter I accepted another invitation, but if yo

he next moment she was despising herself for the thought. How could she be so petty and

rothy's letter, but

sk her later on,"

ave you fixed a

an, and that boy Atkins wanted to butt in, but I shall choke him off. He's such a kid, and be

ew to her cheeks. Perhaps he had cared

u going?" she as

s ya

f the week, I

hiver of apprehension sw