If Only etc.

could no longer delude himself into the belief that Bella loved him, for all her actions went to prove the contrary. But her end just once gained,

thus it was he buried himself in his profession, working with a will and vigour that astonished no one so much as himself. He was rapidly becoming a popular man. Through sheer good luck (as he really believed it to be) he had diagnosed one or two cases with an ease and accuracy which not only filled his purse beyond his utmost expectations, but helped him up the ladder of fame at an amazing rate. But when

as soon as you like and f

stretched her arm

better than I what is

ur new home?" he asked, more hurt

ghtest interest in what c

l interest, surely, since w

he echoed

mean?" he a

my vocabulary," and she smiled at him-actually smiled, thoug

nd indeed, words s

han woman if she were not glad to exchange the second-rate little dwelling in the Camberwell New Road for the s

eamt of in the early days of their married life, and yet John Chetwynd told himself with a sigh t

le-"Of man's love a thing apart." Perhaps John Chetwynd

e might have naturally supposed would be a congenial task for her, but she showed herself so indifferent throughout that,

it was completed. On the morrow he

as the most luxurious easy chair he could purchase, upholstered in her favourite colour, pale blue. He pictured the dainty figure nestling in it, and a little glow stirred at his heart. A

t to church and he never prayed; but now he covered

uskiness in his voice as he called out "Come in" in answer to a hurried knock at the door and flung open the li

a surprise: Bella kn

er more at home, for sh

e ought to have paid, b

t off. You will have us both here to-morr

o hear it. Things do look mo

e floor and held out a letter wr

an hour ago, but I clean fo

is probably of

had placed it, on the edge of a little gaily-lined work table destined to hold Bella Chetwy

he--.He caught it up and tore it open. Th

d sat spell-bound, and then he bro

manner. "Well, the last act is played out and they may ring the curtain down. From to-night

espectability for a life of excitement and the protectio

he only astonishing feature of the scand

urprising was the callousness with

d that what love there was

ot it in full measure, well pressed down and brimming over; his waiting room was besieged, for many pat

ould divorce h

his decree nisi, which l

and the newspaper advertisements knew her no more. She had gone back

disagreeably remin

stretched himself behind a newspaper and muttered, "Bella Blackall Wasn'

h unruffled equanimity, picking up the paper which the other

cluded her name among some well known A

e over the thing than he did," remarked Captain Hetherington afterw

y of a single pang, and he became reconciled to the inevitable. His profession claimed every spare moment, and for a man ill at ease there is no specific like hard work. By-and-by as the years rolled on, another distraction presented itself. He became interested in one of his patients, th

glows; but there was no reason that it should not prove as satisfactory in the long run. It is an open question whether the doctor, popular though he undoubtedly was, would have been considered an eligible suitor from the maternal poin

a good many bitters mingled with the sweets, and the hidden thorn among the rose-leaves had a nasty trick of obtruding itself. This step in soci

cian, she would be even more admirable as a wife than as a fiancée, but he could have found it in him to wish that she were just a little less faultless,

stomed to changes in life, and how quickly an emotion fades into a memory. If I could but feel as I felt when I was struggling along battling with the hundred and one difficulties which beset the path of a poor man, instead of having to remind myself perpetually what my emotions were then, there would