The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-06
CHATTER II.

CHAGIER III.
A square room OF cody size, the broad
windows opening Oh q low balcony and
beyond the shining panes Chelsea square.
1t was large enough to meet the re-
auirements Of dining and sitting room,
tho high walls bearing the faded floral
decoration of an earlier period. The
stained floor from which the polish had
long departed once knew the swish of
\ Ao1nced petticoats, tea had undoubtedly
been slipped on the rusty balcony, the un-
4 usod carriage step at the curb had known
tho pressure of aristocratic toes.
Dut this was in the long ago, when the
house was private mansion, before the
city had crawled upward to encroach on
Its suburban retirement, very long be-
Gore any one dreamed that the iconoclas-
fic finger Of modest respectability, first
cousin to poverty, would one day steal
tha luster from its gliding, the color from
Eta bricks and convert the strings of am
1,le rooms into floors for separate fami-
lies.
The glare from the west turned the
vine pattern on the cotton curtains into
copper. Against them a girl leaned, glo-
kifed by the waning splendcr. Herarms
were folded restfully on her breast. Her
gaze was fastened on the gray college
buildings opposite and the green close
which gave such an old world touch to
the street. A deep sparkle rested in her
eyes. She was impatient and sometimes
threw a glance down the tree lined pave
Sacnt, where the lights in the street
Ramps were beginning to tremble in
network of leaves.
Two Students arm in arm, futtered
past in their quaint gowns and looked
hp at her window. They were talking
bf Tom. She knew it. They were say
ing unkind things Of him. Perhaps they
were sneering at what they called his
folly, his audacious worldliness.
Virginia threw back her head, and
conhdent smile lifted her cleaning lip.
How they would retract it all some day!
For Tom was not like them. His was an
smtamable spirit, only maddened by rig
Qrous confines.
N He had chosen TO live with them for
Z Che future. How his young face and
light step would brighten up the placel
It was sometimes so lonely and quiet
with only her father. A vision Of win
Der nights around ruddy fire, of deli
ci0us, slow waning summer evenings on
the balcony, rose before her mind. They
would be happy, she knew.
"A few feet from the table set for din
her quaint, yellow keyed melodeon
ntood, and here Virginia impulsively
seated herself. Her fingers fickered over
khe keys. the music filled the room, the
4ainting Light swam in her raised eyes
and rosicd her lifted chin.
There was a subtle fire, winning soft
hess, in the face. The hazel green eyes
glanced with intense life; mysterious
bnile clung to the lips so proudly cut.
Her brown hair, holding the cleaning
busset tone seen In some dying leaves,
was drawn up to the crown, where a
Gu6y knot gave q chic, stately touch to
her small head. Incharming consonance
with this warm brunette coloring her
blEin was pale, transparent olive. She
was tall, her figure youthful, independ-
snt, her personality breathing a magnetic
strength.
And as she played there, translating
fhe triumphant beauty of her dreams in
TO harmony-dreams that widened her
marrow life and fed her soul-Tom en-
tered unheard. The sonorous chorus
kound no echo in his heart. Pale beyond
words, he stosd quite still until Virginia
turned to him.
There was no need for speech. She,
who knew his every expression, read the
1xuth in his face. 1t was pinched with
Ehe pathetic revolt of the unsuccessful.
p. She was beside him in a second.
"rve been waiting for you, Tom"
Oh, to press her cheek in vehement
coress against his arm-he looked so
worn, so desperatel Oh, to whisper that
Ehis pain was hers, for she loved him,
loved himi But instead she could only
Utand mutely there, her very heart melt
ing within her.
II have failed" he broke forth in a
,passionate, trembling whisper. II am
mad, Virginia. / could tear myself to
pieces."
He walked to the window and for o
moment hid his face on his arm. But
she did not stir save to lean her open
palms upon the table, as if bracing her
aelf to speak to him when the first
strength Of his stormy despair had died.
Look" he muttered wildly, tearing
The soile0 manuscript from an inner
pocket. ''here it is. pressing like stone
against my heart. When went into the
theater, Virginia, felt almost as il
had conquered. When came out, /
walked the streets blind. was con-
ecious Of nothing but an awful ache and
ooldness."
A shade born Of intense feeling passed
over Virginia's face. Dare she utter the
truth that burned her? II might seem
kruel to him now. but in the end it would
bo merciful.
She moved so that the last bars Of day.
light fell upon her face. Her eyes met
"And do you despair 80 easilyf" she
nskcd clearly. "You are holding out