Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-05

| number overheard ~ n shcrIuce 10 tuc
strange gods whom they had offended
| Then they ate sea-weed when their prov,
sions failed. and their legs swelled, and
their leader. the red-haired man. killed
two rowers who mutinied. and after year
spent among the woods they set sail for
| their own country. and wind
that meyer failed carried them back
so safely that they all slept at
night. This and much more Charlie
| told. Sometimes the voice feli so low tIat
| | could not catch the words. though every
nerve was on the strain. lie spoke Oh Ino
| leader. the red-haired man. as o pagan
speaks of his God; for 1t was be VINO
| cheered them and slew them impartlally as
he Thought best for their needs; and 1t was
| he who steered them for three DAYS among
| floating ice. each foe crowded with strange
| beosts that tried to sail with us." SAID
| Charlie. land we beat them back WITH the
handles of the oars"
The gas Jet went out, burned coal gave
| crash 10 the bottom of the CRATE. Charlie
ceased speakng, and | said no WORD,
hoping be might 60 on. -.
.!By Joye." he said at last, shaking his
head 1--WE been staring at the fire till
I'm dizzy. What was going TO say!"
| Something about the galley"
| II remember now. It's % per cent. OF
| the prOfts, Ism tll! -. II, l.,
ITS anything you like when I've done
the tale"
II wanted to be sure of that. l must
90 now. Pye-rve an appointment" And
he left me.
Had nv eyes not been held | might be
| sure that that broken mutterlng over the
| fire was the swansong of Charlie Mears.
| But thought II the prelude to fuller reye-
| lation. At last and at last should cheat
the Lords of Life and Death! q,
| When next Charlie came to me | rec eiyed
| him with rapture. He was nervous ana
embarrassed, but his eyes were full OF
| light and his lips a little parted;
| "Pve done poem." he said, and then
quickly: ITS the best Pye ever done. Read
| it," He thrust it into nv hand and retreat
ed TO the window.
/ groaned inwardly. II would be the
work of half an hour to criticlse-that 10
saw praise-the poem sufficiently to please
| Charlie Then had good reason to groan,
for Charlie. discarding his tsyorlte metres
| had launched into shorter and chop
pier verse. and verse with motive at the
| back of It, This is what read:
"The day IL most fair, the cherry wind
HallOos behind the hill.
| Where he bends the wood IA seemetn GOOD,
| And the saplng to his Will!
| Riot, q wind; there is that IN my blood
That would not have thee stu!
"She gave herself. o earth, o sky;
| Gray sen, she is mine alone!
| Let the sullen bOuiers hear my cry,
| And rejoice tho they be but stone.
| "Ninel have won her, o good brown earth,
| Make merry 'Tis hard on spring;
| Make merry; my love is doubly worth
| All worship your fields can bring
| Let the hand that tills You feel my mlrth
| AT the early narrowing"
| "Yes. it's the early narrowing past a
! doubt" | said with a dread at my heart.
| Charlie smiled, but did not answer.
| "Red cloud Of the sunset, tell it abroad:
| lam victor Greet me, q sun,
| Dominant master and absolute lord
| over the soul Of Onei"
"well?" said Charlie, looking over my
shoulder. =,
| / thought it far from well and very evil
indeed, when he silently laid photograph
on the paper-the photograph OF girl
with a curly head aud foolish slack
Isn't it-isn't it wonderfully" he whis.
pered, pink to the tips Of his ears, wrapped
in the new mystery of first love, - didn't
know; l didn't think. 1t came like thun-
YES. it comes like a thunder-clap. Are
you very happy. Charlie!"
| "My God. she-she loves mel" He sat
down, repeating the last words to himself:
| / looked at the hairless face. the narrowed
shoulders already bowed By desk-work,
and wondered when, where, and how he
had loved in his past lives.
What will your mother say?' L asked
cheerfully.