Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-10-05
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ~.
The inspiration did not desert him. All
day and far into each night he wrote
with felicitous ease. No hint Of his love
passed his lips to Virginia. Pride, with
promise of ultimate victory in its warn
ing voice, bade passion wait.
"You are nothing, you have nothing
now, but some day you will. Some day
you may dare ask her to add her love
the richest jewel-to measure already
full"
And SO the time went by with an out
ward seeming of eventful quietude, and
October came.
Virginia sat alone one bright after
noon. She was painting a panel for q
fashionable shop that was pleased to ac-
cept her work and pay as little as was
possible for it, Her head was bent low,
and loosened strand Of hair swept her
cheek. Her figure in its inclined posi-
ton revealed a supple strength and com.
plete repose.
The little maid who helped her about
the house had departed, and the room
was quiet, save that tiny white kitten
purred before the stove and the clock
ticked upon the mantel. And how q
clock can tick in a silent room! CUES
ton it; it answers you. Sit mute, and
it voices your thoughts. Virginia laid
her brush down and listened to it. There
was something pathetically childish
about her as she sat there, her chin upon
her open hand, her dilated eyes couched
under the delicate brows, mirroring the
passionate regret that of late had poi
soned all her days.
She was not in Toms confidence now
She did not share his walks. The gay
familiar companionship so unutterably
dear was ended He did not know-he
never must know-how often she had
crept to his door late at night to listen tt
the scratch of his impetuous pen.
Perhaps her words had stung him tt
such violent activity he would soon leave
them to fight fortune in wider field. a
startled breath broke upon her lips
What would this place be without him
What would her III ,t oc.z an
swered with cynical, l.i,...-s tick
A shadowy wave Of deeD.---oA rushed
over her, and the room II, Y dark. Her
hands fell down helplessly. The clock
licked louder, like garrulous crone
foretelling disaster.
"Virginiar' fell upon her ears with a
soft suddenness that startled her. The
panel slipped from her knees. and grasp
ing the arms of the chair she turned her
head to find Tom standing above her.
II have been watching you for full
minute" he said, throwing his hat down
and drawing over low stool. so that he
faced her.
In the hushed, masterful whisper she
recognized something unusual. Some
thing unusual in his face too. Repres-
sion was there, excitement, joy.
81 didn't hear you come in," Virginia
answered, her voice sounding thick and
far away in her own ears.
She half stopped to draw back the
piece of satin on which bunch of daisies
was still wet. He caught her hand and
with gentle fingers that brooked no re-
sistance took the thing away and placed
it out Of her reach.
"Dear little handI' and his voice was
heavy with love, "dear, faithful little
handl Let it rest awhile here, Virginia .
The girl shivered as one does who
rushes from q cold vault into the sun
light.
s'Look at mer' she heard him saying
in half suppressed voice Of intense ex-
ultation. II am the happiest fellow in
New York. You told me you believed
in me. You told me that. Oh, Virginia,
how those words have staid with mel
And you were right. l have succeeded.
My last play was accepted and by the
man who rejected all the others"
A boyish laugh of pure delight left his
lips, and he sank on his knees beside her.
"Pd like to set all the bells in the
chapel pealing, call out the fellows and
tell them the exchange was not so bad
after all. Not SO bad, eh, Virginia." he
asked, thinking how lovely were the
velvety deeps Of her eyes.
s1t is SO sudden. so strange. But, oh.
there is such gladness and light in my
heart for you, Tom! Tell me more tell
me all about it,"
He leaned closer. She felt his hand
upon her shoulder. His mouth, in its
1.-the. boyish curves, was very near her
own.
saThere is something else must tell
you first" he said slowly.
In that long, sultry look she knew all.
Her pulses quickened, fire grew in her
heart. He loved her, then? Oh, he did,
he didl
Their faces were SO close there was a
resistless impulse, a moment of con-
fused, delirious joy, and their lips clune
in kiss that drew Virginia's heart with
| it.
Toms lids fell heavily. He was very
white. A great sigh came from his lips
''Virginia' -
But the door opened. Tom had scarce
ly time to stand up before her father came
in, followed by a boy with package.
The old man was aglow with pleas
urable excitement. He closed the door
after the messenger, crossed the room in
his graceful, stately way and shook hands
with Tom
II have had pleasant day" he said
briskly Such delightful coincidence
What would life be without the unex-
pected? Have you ever thought Of that
Tom?"
Il am thinking Of it ncyr. sir" and be
exchanged ieeting glance Of arch mean
ing with Virginia "Dut 1 differ with
you slightly. The unexpected can prove
well, at some moments-an out and
out nuisance
when it's of an unpleasant nature
yes, of course-my slippers. Virginia
thank you. my dear-but when it car
ries you back to pleasant TIME and sur
rounds you with happy memories--ah
them
"Tell me about it. dad said Virginia
as she leaned over him.
Her face was gloriied She looked
with naive tenderness straight at Ton
as she spoke-Iooled until her eyes fell
under the fire in his,
1T happened this way and Mr.. KEN