Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-17


cial standpoint as well, so Gertrude simply
dressed as usual. And now, after he had
been In his grave year, she felt no
hesitation in dOnning her common and
worn garments for those of finer texture
and more becoming cut Her appearance, as
she went in to dinner at the hotel when the end
of her Journey was reached, was one of quiet
elegance.
She had sent no intimaticn to Breeze of her
visit. but now she dispatched a messenger with
note to his address, telling him of her presence
in the city. and asking him to call that ter
noon. She found it d fficult to aw ait the return
of her messenger. She paced her room, saying
over and over:
dicted it; he folsaw it He said God would vet
give me to him." And great tears broke over
her cheeks.
The messenger brought back word that Mr.
B"rton was just goin. to the matinee With a
lady; that he read the note. and begged the
| messenger to say he would call IN the evening:
that he was already late. or would write his
reply
Her heart fell. Could she wait until evening ?
And how could he ask it of her? How could he
bear the interval. and she so near2
All. but lie was acting as escort for lady,
She called back the messenger DO Won
know to What theater the gentleman was gong2"
she asked.
Way. with the crowd. to hear Gerster, sup
pose" the boy answered Every body goes
there to-day"
Gertrude rang. and ordered carriage She.
too would attend the matinee. She found the
house crowded. but there was a vacant box
She hired an opera glass. and swept the house
with eager eyes. And not in VAN. She saw
h m In the dres> circle. with fair young Girl at
his SIDE. She was very young. not more than
eighteen. and he was the soul Of devotion
1t was horrible afternoon to Gertrude; one
of slow torturlng doubt and fear. She went
back to her room weary and depressed A dark
forebodng hung over her, She listlessly
awaited the coming of Breeze
At last he came. He had grown han 'sumer
and grander during the six years since they
parted. His form was more majestic, his hair
darker. his face had more expression He was
| a superb mana man to win hearts without
making the least effort.
Her heart heaved with wild, suffocating pas
sion as she looked at him.
He came forward with easy dignity, and gave
her his hand. and one swift, all-notinw glance
II am very glad to see you again" he said;
but you are not looking quite well, l fear you
are faigued.'
The disappointment in his glance. the formal
ity in his tone. cut her to the heart She glanced
at her reflection in the tall mirror Opposite.
All! she had not thought of it before, but she
had grown old. 0. very old, since they parted.
The physical aspect of their love had never
entered very largely into her views She had
dwelt in state Of spiritual eXuitation and had
forgotten the years that were stretched between
them.
In that old time neither of them considered
her six years of seniority. Now. they both
| thought OF it, for as she looked in the mirror it
was painfully evident.
''ies. am fatigued." she said 1.-THE Journey
tired me, and then attended the matinee, and
the air was close"
Yes. it ,cds close l did not see you there ~
81 saw you.' she answered, and your COM
panion. She was lovely girl"
slow flush crept over his face. Eyes. she
tltl trirl Of
and great favorite at the house"
And liable to hold nearer place vet" Ger
trude suggested. her own voice sounding strange
In her ears. There was a moments silence and
then ne Lifted his eyes and met hers bravely.
Yes. was all he said. Soon afterward he
rose to 90. They PXchanceda few commonplace,
and then he turned and took her hands
I'VE are to be friends always, hope?' he
quered.
Certainly; why not:" she responded. with a
CHASTITY attempt at "a smile.
well. hoped as much. But it's sometimes
hard. after an experience like ours to establish
a friendship. 1t cannot be done unless the pas
sion is wholly outgro"n. knew it was on your
part. Tour years ago. when you refused my last
appeal to see YOU. | knew YOU had put the wild
Jolly wholly under your feet. indeed | think
your feeling was more pity and sympathy for a
mad boy than anything else, all the time. But
mine was genuine frtDZy--a perfect simeon
had to fight it for years. Gertrude. During
ing 1t; and during the last year | have dared
dream | was beginning to feel a caner and
more heaithtui love in my heart halt dreaded
to meet son though, lest the old fury should
return. But now ! am glad | have met YOU
for know we will be royal friends hereafter
-. and that the past is wholly buried" He
paused.
Yes wholly buried" she replied, " and we
must always be royal friends, indeed, Breeze"
~ Will see you again. | hOpe?"
n
| and only renamed over here one day to meet
you. am going east to spend the winter"
1t was quite true-but the plan had been
conceived during the last five minutes She
could not let him think she came from Iowa
wholly and solely to meet him, and risk this
| result.
Then goodnight and good-by." he said.
Write me at your leisure and when YOU re-
turn. come and visit-us. think we shall be
settled by that time"
She closed the door behind him. sending q
biithe gOOdby after him down the hall
Then she turned the key-turned and was
alone.
Alone, with her castle crumbled at her feet.
and the happiness of six years lying dead be-
meath it.
MY life Is all in runs-all in ruins-God help
me. she mOaned Then after little. she SAID
SLOWLY: III IS not so much that he has gOne-but
that has gone; the love which was so beautiful
and te!1lh!e-so strong with life and passion And
TO think II could be Outgrown--and leave moth
ing. nothing" Then she arose from her crouch
ing position before the open CRATE, and began
| her preparations for retiring.
1t was not to be wondered at. that in her ex-
citable frame of mind. and never having been
accustomed to the use of gas, that Gertrude
should ttOW ont the light | say it is not to be
wondered at. nor need we suppose it was not
accidental. But In the morning Gertrude was
dead