The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1889-03-21
BB 8is Gum 8anA

heart, with wrecked hopes and van
ishcd dreams. Mrs Ellerslie. seated
on a broken column iu the old Forum.
realised this. There was blaze of
blue sky above her. and the music Of
fountains in messy inches filled the
air. and an spoke Of ruin about her.
But then, Rome was old-therc wa, a
fitness of things in its desolatiou-
while She was Young. Il was not the
season for hope 10 stop llossoming
with her, yet it, flowers lay all with
cred about her. Looking away from
the golden haze that made the atmos-
phere Of that afternoon, She could see
nothing in Rome but a place where
people had suffered. Il was world
Of ruins. and the ruin Of her own
hopes seemed 50 Insignificant that She
found a sort ofbalm for'her secret sad
ness.
A sudden shadow came between
her and the golden light She won
dered if it were her mother-in-law
come back from am old antiquary's
shop that she was fond of hunting
But no. this was a gentleman, an old
friend.
"IIester!" he cried out chow. odd
was thinking Of YOU"
She rose with some embarrassment.
Il thought YOU were-iu America.
Il could not stay there"
"Ah?"
you don't ask whv?"
1T, scarcely my affair to ask why.
well, I'll tell You without. Il
wanted to see whether you were hap
by ornot"
Can one see that"
Il could if you would give me the
chance
what chance do You want ?"
"To be near you-to see you some /
times"
"And this i, all?"
yes"
"And when you find that-I am
happy"
81 shall 90 home and make the best
ofmy life.
"And if you find the other thing?"
"Ah, then, don't know. l can't
tell. l may have an inspiration"
And the two stood facing one ano-
Their for a moment in silence. The
young woman was handsome even
the intensely luminous Italian sky
could find no flaws in the clear com
plexion now family suflused with
color the rich hazel eyes, the brown
hair alight with chickering's Of gold.
She wore a severely plain but elegant
costume of black satin. She carried
some sort of wrap, much trimmed with
black lace. on her arm. and the pie
turcsquc hat Of black straw, with black
plumes, only brought out the fresh
ness and fairness of her face.
The man was a rather muscular
specimen, dressed in grey tweed. lie
was somewhat inclined to solidity of
figure. lie had fair face and blonde
hair, and his eyes were blue. lie
was of the true Saxon type, but there
were possibilities Of fire and purpose
in those ewes The chin was some
what square, the mouth had lurking
of sensuality about il; the
face seemed capable Of being con-
vulsed with anger, or any other pas
sion; it lacked an expression Of self
control. But Howard MAYHEM had
himself well in keeping just now.
"Wcll ?" he said, after this moments {
pause.
Il told YOU, when we parted, that
yeu must not try to see me again
YES, you sent me to the right-about
curly enough; but then. women
change their minds l did not know J
but what you had changed your mind. 5
/ thought after a year of married life '
YOU might like to see an old friend z
and then, there is my art you know. '
Rome Is considered a good thing for Z
art"
Yes" answered Mrs. Ellerslie, q
thoughtfully; "hcw are you succeed @
ing?"
"Oh, not very well. l have no aim. I
If you had given me ono Knight have
done something-I don't know"
you win do something, spite of q
fate, if its in you, she said, quietly.
Il see you are given to plain speak
ing STILL" he answered. Il begin to
doubt if it is in me-if there is any I
thing in me-
"Oh, believe in YOURSELF she urged;
there is nothing sadder than to grow
skeptical about ones self