Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1892-09-03

81 really must go now said Mis-
Vincent, rising. There is one o'clocl
and | must leave at eight, Goo
night
(Which way do you go tomorrow?
asked Lawrence.
East, I must be at home by til,
Goth"
And where is homer"
She gave the name Of a village abou
fifty miles distant from the town wher,
he lived
III see you in the morning" h,
said, II believe we leave this place OF
the same train, so | won't say cood-by
And now, just one more dauce-th,
last"
Down the long gallery they foatel
into the shadow aud out into the light
his clasp gradually tightening as they
went, her face against his shoulder. anl
his head bent forward until his cheel
touched her hair. The music ceased
suddenly. but the arm about her wais'
did not relax. She gave a f]urtiyc, up
ward glance, then dropped her eyes.
With a swift movement Of his left
hand he drew her arm up until il en-.
cireled his neck, leaned forward. and
kissed her, She darted away like a
swallow, and he caught a last glimpse
OF her as she turned q corner OF the
stairway.
When Lawrence came down 70
breakfast next morning it was nearly
nine o'clock. The early train had
gone. So had Miss Vincent.
1t was summer again. The work
Lawrence contemplated a year ago was
finished. He had acted on the sa-ges-
tion Of his critic; he had turned Pegasus
out to Craze and given his attention to
prose. The result was a NOVELETTE,
story Of q day-calied En- Route, "
he assured his friends was sug-
gested by an inciden: Of his western
trip. The book had been published.
and the reviewers. to use his own
phrase. had ''let him down easy" andhe
was much surprised to find himself
gently and affably treated by the Dis
patch. The writer was not surprised
TO find 50 Indifferent a poet capable Of
producing a tale SC pleasing and grace
ful, 50 full Of felicitoTs description, so
fresh and unhackneved. It was under
stood that the young man was under a
solemn promise never again to attempt
verse, and, in consideration OF this as
surance and the promise Of success held
ont by the latter work. ii was but lust
that the public should extinguisn its
resentment and take the author to a
forgiving and indulgcnt bosom.
Then followed a criticism in which
The claims Of the book were seriously
treated, and by the time Lawrence had
finished the peruSal he was thinking
that, after all, he might have been a
little too fierce in his resentment upon
u previous occasion. There arose with.
in him a desire 70 make amends in
some way for his own derision Of this
person, who, however hard upon him
at first, was clearly without malice in
the matter, and had no doubt in each
instance expressed an honest convic-
tion. He wrote a note in which he
acknowledged the courtesy and asked
leave TO call and thank the writer in
person. He had a few copies that had
been handsomely bound, intended as
souvenirs for his friends. He would be
most happy to present one as a token
Of his appreciation.
The reply to his friendly overture was
written upon a card across the upper
VI Of which was the day
Of the week in gilt lettering; on the OPP
posite corner was a pen-and-ink sketch
of st, George in the act Of vanquishing
the dragon. Below was written:
Miss Damon will be at home to Mr..
Lawrence this evening at eight o'clock,
7O5 West broadway"
This sketch, despite the limited
space it occupied, was spirited. and in
dicated a knowledge of her unflatter-
ing soubriquet. As he looked ND at
his " sketch upon the wall he was
of a strong impulse to de-
stroy it.
AT eight o'clock that evening Law
renee, bearing his peace offering CO.
quettishly bound in gilt and morocco,
rung Miss Damon's bell. He was ush-
cred into the parlor, and in a few mo-
ments he heard a rustling of. drapery
behind him. As he arose he encoun-
a slender figure in a toilet of
black lace.
"Miss Vincent" he said, exultinaly,
Il have been looking for you every
where. ! have written you innumera.
bic letters, and | have been four times
to that horrid hole of a town where you
said you lived. Why did you deceive
me so cruetly2"
why did I deceive you? Well, I
not think it would add anything
to your pleasure just then to know the
A horrible presentiment seized him.
"Then-then-your name i is not
Vincent"
Eyes; Alice Vincent Damon"
You know me, Of course?" he fall.
yes"
Don't you think you have taken
rather a mean advantage Of me?"
mo; | think the truth would have
spoiled a very pleasant day."
In the conversation that followed the
purpose of the visit was well-nigh for
gotten, and the souvenir played a very
i~nconspieuous part Ia the diversion Of
the evening.
A week or two later, as Lawrence
was sitting in his room. his friend
came in. took a seat on the
opposite side Of the table, and, after