The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-24

aA-''aa'h aiNiAtN "N'N1NN AN"N+'S ~" A'+A's -
was intOlerable
The next day he left for Paris. ordering that
the house aud its contents be left undisluTbed.
Before leaving he went once again into the stu.
do 20 collect his materials. So the old life was
ended-the old restful life that had been so
sweet.
All! well, be sighed; but, then, what good Of
rceretY
From the picture with the face turned to the
wall he glanced 10 his painting materials
nearly packed. At least he had his art. lie
shrugged his shoulders slightly. lie roi est
mort! Nive lie roi Or, / suppose, should sub
stitute queen for king" he said aloud, scraplnG
some paint of palette. But the sudden pain
IN his heart cut like knife.
III.
The years passed very kindly over Jasper
Gray. Heart and SOUL the man threw himself
into his work, and the world goes was
successful man. He lived an exceptionally
pure, simple and honest life. But certain
ansterity settled about the mouth, the fine
curves Of which, when in repOse, vcrged upon
cruelty. To him his wife seemed AZ one long
dead. lie seldom thought of her. For tho
memory was apt 10 arouse strange longings and
vague self reproaches, which annoyed him. On
the whole he avoided sentiment or emotion,
finding II was apt to render him ianciful,
nervous, unfit for working.
Once only did he think he saw his wife
again. Then IL was nearly IL years later. IL
had been an unusually hot day. The noise
aud glare Of the streets Jared on him. So he
went INTO the cathedral of the city. The quiet
81 tho vast, cool interior was very grateful 10
/ HIM. lie sat down in one of the side Chapcls.
The red and blue panes predominating in the
window, mingled, making violet-colOrcd light
rs OF early evening, in which the columns and
arches rose dim aud gray. The floor was sunken
with Tho afn al tod
save for the nnlighted candles and a black
cross Of the Crucifxion. lie shiyered little.
The place seemed like tomb.
IN distant part OF the church, service was
being held. The lighted candles shouc in tho
dmncss like faint stars. The chanting Of the
priests, the music Of the organs, the swinging
oi the bells came family 10 his ears in halflost
sounds. He could see the edge Of the gown Of
q penltent at the confessional near by.
young priest passed with mpt, nplifted
face. Gray noticed that the black robes made
the face appear intensely white aud delicate.
lie wished he could get him for a model.
The expression was Of a rare type. Only he
supposed the fellow would feel insulted il no
asked him. So perfectly ridiculous! He
turned and looked after him with vague irri-
tation. Then he glanced back NJ the altar.
All! he leaned forward eagerly. Strange he
| had not noticed that woman kneeling az the
rail. Superb What abandon in her pose!
The modelling Of the clasped hands was very
fine How pure the line of the neck 10 the ear.
Her black dress fell in straight folds 10 tho
ground. The veil she wore had slipped down
on her shoulders and the bowed head held a
certain proud humility which appealed 10 him
strongly.
lie drew his breath sharply as ono In pain.
Had not she. his wife. had just such exquisite
hair, just such pure, light hands? Strange that
he was reminded so iorcibly Of that fair woman
Of other years Only Daphne could not be sad
like this woman. Always in memory she re-
turned 10 him in the delicious freshness OF her
youth. with the same hower-like delicacy aud
grace, the very remembrance Of which made
hls heart beat quicker.
But suppose She had changed,-were subdned
and soTTOw.strickcn. Nonsensel lie WAS be-
coming faucifal. He glanced away impatientiy
then looked back again.
With sudden wave Of memory, and for the
ifsi time in all those years. he thought Oi the
letter his wife bad written him.
How unhesitatingly she had made a sacrifice
OF herself! And he had acceTted IL unques-
loningly. This pale, impa,siye face grew sud
denly crimson. Too late he realized the grand
eur Of her generosity.
The sell-c0udemnation he had 50 long evaded
held him as in a tOrturing wise, from which
there was no escape. An hour ago he had
been 50 secure from the judgment Of his soul.
IL had been SO easy TO think OF his wife as dead,
as something beautiful which had belonged TO
his past youth. Now after nearly j. years Of
ioreeiiuness, IL was as though She reappcsred
IN the figure Of this kneeliug woman, living
reproach, mutely asking what had become Of
that young girl Of other years And he could
not answer
With a suppressed cry Of agony he buried
his face in his hands. His soul barred at last
/ 10 the light. he recognized with intensost hu-
initiation the difference between her life aud
/ his; knew that where, In the supreme pride Of
| his art and supreme seiGshness bo had failed,
the fiery elements IN her character had been
overcome 10y the freer. purer development Of
whatever was nObest ia herself.
When after many minutes he lifted his head
4 the fine, hard mouth was trembling, and the
/ old proud confidence in the eyes WAS gone.
The woman bowed until her face touched the
/ iron railing against which she kHet; then she
rose and stood a mOment-a tall, slight figure
IN s0mber black, her back turned 10 the light
so that her face could not be seen. But the
! light touched the exquisite hair with saint
1 like glory, fell rOse-cOored on the hands,
marked the delicate line Of the throat with ten
der purple.
He rose 10 his feet with great start. There
be saw again. as IL were, the beautiful light
locks he had 50 fondly caressed in by. gone days.
There was the same proud carriage OF the head.
/ The light siOne full on his eager face with its
! quiyeriug mouth and questioning eyes. With
a quick movement she put her hand up to her
throat So had his wife always done when
startled.
"Oh, Cod he cried, "Dapbne!n
There was a moments pause, In which the
slight figure before him swayed a little, and the
beating Of his own heart seemed great deaf
ening noise.
Then the woman drew the veil up over her
head and face
81 beg your pardon" he muttered rs she
passed swiftly by him. 81 have mistaken.
- u lac staggered and sank down upon
the seat.
The sound Of n single voice singing an an.
them came TO his ears. lie trembed as il rose
higher and higher with an ineffable sweetness
which thrilled like pain. Ho rose aud, walk ed
toward the door. At the church entrance he
paused. Some roses which had climbed IN the
iron fence in front seemed maddeningly bright
| aud fresh
The fierce August sun beat down unmerci.
| fully. The glaringly white houses, the dusty
street. the ieTvid blue sky, appeared 10 hold
| each other in prolonged stare Far down the
sidewalk solitary black ROBBED woman was
moving rapidly. Ho checked "A strong impulse
10 follow her, but stood watching until she was
out Of sight.
lie remembered one June morning with
Daphne. The fresh breeze had RULED her
hair. One lock had fallen across her ear. She
had such little. delicate ears, like pink sea.
shells lie saw the red young lips again
felt the clasp Of the strong young hands, heard
the clear voice saying:
We will live aud work together, Jasper