Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-16
THE MAN WITH A MARBLE HEART
A Chicago Idyl by Jos. Meiiu.

At sunset on beautiful evening in February
solitary young man might have been seen
ascending the brow Of livery-stable.
Ia the west, where the day was dying there
were masses of leecy clouds the tints on whose
lower edges. made by the broad bands OF rosy
light that streamed up from below the horizon.
gave hint of the golden glory that lay below
them. From the southwark there crept up on
the signing wind Of the evening a faint perfume
and as Alexander Nonesuch felt it's subtle
influence he gave a weird. eerie sniff with
his delicately- proportioned nose and into
the lustrous dark eyes there came a look
of tender regret that told with mute eloquence
OF where his thoughts were wandering
to the calm. peaceful home among the snow
crowned hills of New England. bright memories
OF which had risen in his mind as the subtle
edor OF cOrned-beef and cabbage was waited to
him. Then, recovering himself by mighty
effort, he placed his right foot in the air and
again moved steadily forward
What no. without there Hook up pal
frey" ........ .... ~. .... ..., - :
Even as these words rang out on the evening
air there was heard the shrll neighing of the
impatient steeds and the thunderous roar caused
by their irOn-shod hoofs striking the floor as
they leaped madly from their stalls and were
quickly harncsSeI. The last CLEAN of DAYLIGHT
had faded from the earth as faithful seryitor
lighted fire under each horse and a few mo.
ments later Alexander Nonesuch looked out
pensivey upon the silyery stars that twnkled
SO merriy above him. How like Venice" he
murmured softly to himself ''How like that
never-to-be-forgotten night when. floating idly in
a gcndola, told Clytie Stiggns of my deafness
passion for her. and she answered me in her
cold, Boston way that the daughter OF a man
who owned two mackerel stores could never
ally herself with anything less than a member Of
the Massachusetts State Historical society And
how. seeing the look of frozen noIror that had
come over my face at her words. she burst into
storm of sobs and confessed that she loved me
madly-better even than she did Emerson's
works or Darwin's paper on the scomberoid
fishes OF the p!iOcene peTl0d-but that the TACT
OF my never having studied Greek had risen like
an impossible barrier between Us. All me, How
well remember it" and. taking large rec
tangular chew of plug tobacco. Alexander None
such sank back On the carriage seat and thought
OF the past.
At last the carriage stops and the young
man enters house whose palatisl appointments
show ii to be the home OF wealth and culture.
Scarcely has the servant conducted him TO the
parlor when beautiful girl. tall and fair as
a lly and stately as footman, enters the
room. Good evening" she says In a CHEEKY
voice.
Good evening" replies Alexander; " are you
ready?"
For answer she puts out a tiny foot and he
sees that she is wearing her overshoes. Rising
silently he escorts her to the carriage and places
her on the back seat while he occupies the other
the carriage rolls rapidly away.
The girl assents to his meteorological state
ment with brisk nod of her pretty head
1T was very kind Of you to take me to the
opera, I'm sure" she continues.
Yes, !" he answers, it was"
Four months have passed. The June roses.
fairest aud most welcome Of all flowers are
bursting into blossoms Down a shaded path,
above which the cypress trees are bending,
Alexander Nonesuch and Beryl Cearsides are
walking The crickets are chirping shrilly in
the grass and to the westward is heard the
murmurous breathing of a large brindle COW.
All nature seems hushed in sweet repose.
You have never kissed me yet, the girl
says. bending over him tenderly.
No" he replies, kissing is wrong"
They walk on silently for a moment. Then
the man speaks.
"And SO you think" he says, that we had
better be married at once"
YES" she replies. "If we are to keep
house it will be cheaper"
"Why3" he asks.
Because" she answers, "you will probably
hang around pretty steadily for the first six
months and We shall not need refrigerator"