The morning call., 1891-04-01
OF SOUL AKIN.
BY j. H. NEwcoMB.

~
door.
Come inP' shouted voice from within,
and the gray-clad messenger pulled the door
open and thrust his head and one hand into
the room.
Letter for Mr.. Millard," he said.
"Weu. that's me- Chuck it in" said a
tall figure standing coatless before ragged
piece of mirror and absorbed in removing
weeks growth of beard from an otherwise
shapely chin.
The postman chucked it in as requested.
"Fine morning." he ventured.
"Is itP We can't tell back here unless 1t
thunders; then we know it isn't fair, but
the postman had shut the door and dlSap-
peared down the corridor.
Mllard left the letter on the floor, where
the carrier had tossed it, There was an
other occupant of the room, evidently with
more curiosity
"Why don't you look at it?" asked Wa
ters
Millard paused, with his thumb and first
finger holding his nose, preparatory to shay
ing his upper lip.
"Duu. probably" he observed, and pro-
ceeded with his work.
Waters picked up the letter and gave a
80" he said. 81 didn't know you were
in correspondence with lady, Foster.
NO more am l."
but this is directed in lady's hand
"Only a fake, my boy. They do that to
make us open their bills. They know they
60 into the waste-basket otherwise"
but, look here" said Dick, after an
other glance at the envelope, this comes
through the office Of your Blumbow Maya
zine"
Eh!' said Mnlard. What the deuce
can they want? Open it and see. I'm busy"
Dick opened the letter and glanced at its
contents.
"Ob, lord ~ he said, dropping into chair
and gong of into roar OF laughter.
MilldTd looked around inquiTingly.
What's up, Dick?"
For answer Waters went off into another
peal of laughter.
Willard waXed indignant.
is it?"
just look here" said Waters.
Willard took the letter and read as fol-
lows:
Dear Mr.. MilJord: The Blumbow Magazine
mJn would not give me your address, but he has
promised to deliver this letter. | wanted 10 see
you at once, aHd should have called upon you,
but fate, always unkind, has for time led
me.
l cannot tell you of the unspeakabe gratitude
that l feel | owe you for your last beautiful
poem IN the magazine. II seemed to me that u
kindred soul was speaking TO nine In those lines
so sweety sad and Yet so comforting 10 a
stricken heart. cannot dare not tell you OF the
passionate emotions that swept my very being
when l read your more than exquisite lines.
feel that you would understand as no Que has
understood lie real depths Of my nature. Can
you not come 10 me II only that may hear you
speak ana see you for a single time? / have
never seen you but know feel how you look.
My address is -. Ii you cannot come to me
tell me where you are aud let me come 10 You.
must see you. EDITH GRENYILLE.
Willard put down the letter and looked
blankly at his companion.
(Which one was it that did it?" asked
Dick.
The last" she says, 1T was on the in
fnity Of sounds l fancIed it was pretty
well done, but to not such q point as this.
What am l to do?'
Dick reared again.
De" he said, when he could speak.
"Why, so and see your souls kiDswoman,
Of course
Look here, Waters" said Willard, ''this
don't seem so Internally funny to me. l
don't see how l am t. go to see her, and yet
l ought to do Snmething'
Waters stopped laughing.
'Of course you can't 60. Foster" he said.
''Y gu had better write her note that will
stop her nonsense, or better still, let her
wei, I don't know" said Willard,
thoughtfully. Il wrote it. and she evil
IDENTIFY was impressed with it. II | treat her
harsnly may ruin a beautiful ideal. The
LUucIl Oh tdIlu Is often so cruel To-
Say, said Waters, Just save that, will
you, aud write it up in a poem for your mag
azine. We're getting pretty hard up again,
and it is your turn to get supplies"
- thought paid Tor the last with my
Dream of Immortality"
No. you don't, Foster. Brown only uAid
you ' for that, and | had just spent 10 out
OF my FlOrentine "reminiscences.
"Well, never mind, old man. What am l
to do about Miss GTenvile?"
Name just fits, don't it?' observed Dick.
Fits what|'
"The old giIl. can describe her to 7. 2
"Wnat do you know about her?"
81 know the type. She's thin and scrag-
ely, aud 10 or more. Deep, unutterable
longing and lost love in dead past; writes
poetry herself, and is only waiting to spring
it on yon. 1t will be about memories and
and that rot. Oh, I'd 90 and see her at once
if | were you"
perhaps 1t isn't as bad as that" sug-
gested Mlllard, rneiuily,
Worse, more likely, said Dick, comfort
ingly. ''She may be young and gushing
and looking for something to worship If
she is there is sure to be 10 end of poetry
and passionate longing. 1t will be very
pleasant for YOU"
"Ohy groaned Millard.
But it has its bright side" continued
Waters, 'for you may be able to get her to
engage to tutor her in the art ut 81 so an
'That may be funny" said Willard. 81
don't think it is, however. l am going to
see her."
Waters stood with his arms akimbo.
DO you mean to say thatyou are going to
call Oh that old-old hemp" he asked
shut up. will yOu?" said Willard, and
went out, slamming the door behind him.
Dick sat down at his table and looked
thoughtfully out Of the window. Then he
took up his pen and began to write.
An hour later Willard reappeared He
walked up and down the room once or
twice, looking little sheepish. Presently
he spoke,
Dick scratched on the end of his sentence.
and then looked up.
"Well?" he inquired.
81 went around there to see what kind Of
place it Is. It's big stone front with a
silver plate on the door marked Grenyjlle."
so! Aud the girl?"
II didn't 20 in. | shall go around later :;
this afternoon, probably"
"0h!" said Waters, turning back to his
work.
Willard took another turn about the room
and thrE looked out of the dirty window in
the rear.
SAY, Dick" he said at length, would
you mind lending me your new coat this
dlleIlUuu. " MS me 81 well ana mine is
getting out at the elbows"
why, of course. Foster. Take it and
welcome, but-er-wOnt your SOULS kins-
woman take you as we'll one way as an
other?"
"Oh, you shut np," said Willard.
Foster Willard assembled the steps of the
Granville mansion and rang the bell. not
without inward trepdation. He had not
been able to determine any course of ac-
ton. and he knew 1T was dangerous to
trust to the inspiration OF the moment.
Still he felt lingering curiosity and
sense of uncertainty that was not
altogether UNPLEASANT. He was a very
young poet. His work had been received
with some favor. but there had not been
popular uprising in his honor. and despite
himself he was f1attered by the note he had
received. He was distinctly conscious of
quickening at heart as he heard steps
within approaching the door. He thought
he would remember this aud do it in skies
and threes for the magazine when he went
home.
Tie door was opened by trim house
maid, and he was shown into the drawing
room. where presently came down to him