The Washington critic., 1886-11-30

Philip stood nbashpd before the
purity OF her gaze, remembering how
he had written poems To this girl ana
that and pressed pretty hands with
lcivOr that now rose ur to accuse him.
lie sighed deeply, having in reality
nothing to sigh about, hut n wholly IN.
necessary activity Of oonsclcpcr, which
Is often worse than its propOftionato
degree of lapguor.
Philip had been two years In p)s-
session of the mysterious, secretlalen
derby and five months married before
these circumstances found any relation
TO each other. lie was looking through
his wardrobe one day, and came out to
Myra with the hat in his hand, and,
sitting down, began to tell her It's ro.
mantle history. Myra listened with
her needle suspended and her lips
apart, her face paling and flushing
with warm, womanly sympathy. Her
pretty eyes filled with tears as she read
the little written scrap Philip placed
In her hand. She went over 1t silently
two or three times, with very sad,
compassionate glance; then, to Philips
amazement, tore the paper into shreds
and threw them from her out Of the
window. The wind lost no time in
carrying them away
'Myrai" lie looked almost wildly
after The flying pieces. "What in the
world induced you to do th att"
at was the right thing to do, dear"
she answered with quivering lips. NO
woman should betray her heart in that
way. II | ever could be tempted to
forget pride and dignity so foolishly |
would be obliged to any one who
would destroy the evidence Of my
folly"
But supposing should find the
owner--thc person to whom the paper
was addressCd2"
THAT isn't likely now, Philip; Of
course, If you do find him you could
tell him. But, Philip" looking earn.
estly at her husband. "if Were you
would never tell any one else. Such
things seem pretty and interesting; but
they are more than that. They belong
TO the hearts deep experience, and we
should not hold them lightly to talk of
and smile at. No, think the poor girl
who wrote those impulsivc words
would be glad to know they are de.
stroyed. Believe me, Philip" smiling
at him gently, woman can Judge for
woman, | have done what Is right"
Philips answer was his usual one
when Myra looked particularly pretty,
as she did just now.
"You arc an angel" he said, after
ward, and, of course, you are right;
but l am thinking of the mans side,
don't you see! That message belonged
TO him, whoever, wherever he Is, and |
would never think of stopping it on Its
way. To my masculine view, 1t seems,
don't you know, little like-like rob.
bing the mails"
"It isn't like that at ALL" said Myra,
in mildly argumentative tone. 81
wouldn't do that myself And, besides,
If the mails are goingto bring trouble
to people, they ought to be robbed-the
| sooner the better"
"Oh, my dear girl ~ said Philip,
laughing.
well, of courser" rejoined Myra,
decidedly. "But it is hard to make
men understand things as they really
are. Philip"
"Yes, my love-"
81 want you to promise me that you
won't tell any one-any one-about that
scrap of writing, unless you find the
the person for whom it was intended
/ want you TO promise this for the poor
foolish woman's sake. Won't you
dearest?"
II promise for this poor foolish
woman's sake" said Philip, looking
down with rapture at her lifted eyes
and he was nearer 10 the truth than ht
knew.
|
One bright Sunday morning not Ions
after this, when there was cradle il
their house, and in it little colder
head. worth all the rest of the gold IL
the world, card was brought to Mrs
Norlham. 1t bore the name of Walter
w. Carroll She passed it to her hus
band with shade Of annoyance on he
face.
"Ah. this is your old friend, Car
roll, | suppose-lhe one you have
spoken of SO oftcn?" he remarked
pleasantly.
"Yes. ] hadn't heard that he wa,
back from England, though" Myr;
was running q brush over her hair, anC
looking at her face in the glass us sh(
spoke. 81 wonder If his wife is with
him? But what an hour to CALI l
can't lie half past 0"
''Lucky we were up" said Philip
with laugh; cor, rather, thanks Il
that brigand and pirate in the cradle
He never seems TO enjoy his sleep un
til he has robbed us of ours. Shan't
go down and receive your friend, /
you don't feel quite ready, Myra?"
II am quite ready, now, thanks,
| cnt1 Nova
the baby, please. till Maggie come
up"
She passed Philip in crossing to tht
door, turned back and kissed him, ant
went down stairs.
A tall, brown and bearded strange
was standing in the parlor. looking a
the door expectantly, as she entered
both hands outheld in friendly wei
come.
| "Will!"
"Myra"
"1'm so glad"
"Such q lovely surprise"
"And how have you been?"
Il heard you were married"
"And you never wrote"
| Who can reproduce the first hurrie
words of greeting after long separO
tion? Speech and smiles, and blushe
and eager looks mingle inextricably
Everything is trying to get said at once
After moment or two the mists q
feeling clear little; it is easier to spea
but not so imperative.
Myra sat down by her friend on tn
little sofa. The welcoming look ha
not quite gone out OF her face whe
she said, impressively:
"Will, ! must ask you somethin
now. Do you remember the little ha
mark ! made you before you wer
away | put IL IN your hat myself tn
night before you sailed.
DO | remember? should thin
SOL But imagine what happened, Th