Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-11-02
WOODBURY.. N. j. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1893. #

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could near the students pracrIc1ng a new
Christmas hymn in the chapel opposite.
In a moment the years spent in the col
dege, SO different from his present life
passed in a series of pictures before him,
and with them the thought of all he owed
Virginia But for her ''The Worlds
Way" would never have been written
Looking back, he saw how clearly her
companionship had neryed him to con
tinual effort. Hers was the voice that
had urged him on. hers the dauntless
optimism that had sent rift Of glory
into his darkest days.
An ache rose in his throat; the snow,
in the light from the open chapel door,
whirled mistily before him. Now that
he was actually going the thought that
he was leaving her was exquisite pain.
The familiar landmarks frowned an un-
bearable reproach.
"What a fool l amir he thought and
gave his shoulders an impatient shrug
,''When I'm with Delatole, see I've done
right. When I'm here-pshaw! what's the
use of these regrets? They lead nowhere.
l can't turn back. must 60 on. I'll
never forget Virginia, we can be friends
still, and some day, in a year maybe,
when I'm sure of myself, if she but loves
me, all will somehow come right"
He went first to his own room and sat
down, looking before him in dazed way.
Would il all come right? Did he believe
that? Was he trying to deceive himself
at the la.a? Then for the sake of action
and to keep thoa sch as
possible be put Ii. ,., ,.. books
IN his trunk, locked and addressed it.
Even when that was done he .hesitated.
A tumult seemed striving to tear his
heart asunder. His hands were like ice.
Il must go to her | must. Why de-
lay longer"
He found her leaning against the melo-
deon, her fingers buried in the fur Of
the little white kitten he had often teased
Her face was perfectly colorless. She
looked at him steadfastly, coldly and ut
tered no word. 1t was evident she had
heard his voice in the hall and was wait
ing for him
There was a long and painful silence
The words that came thronging to Toms
lips were those he dared not speak.
''You have come to say goodby," Yir-
ginia said abruptly, still bending upon
his face that full, disconcerting gaze. 81
heard all you said to father There is
no need to go over it again
She held out her hand. and he seized it
eagerly, only to find it cold and unre-
sponsive. Oh, if she but uttered one
pleading word one reproach, that he
might in some measure defend himself
But this chilling repose was avail which
shut him away from her.
''Do not misjudge me-" he burst out
passionately, his voice broken, and at the
words she looked away Il am going
away for time to work hard, very
hard. And want to believe that your
good wishes 60 with me. that you still re-
main my friend.
No reply, but her eyes were upon him
again, az eloquent with reproach as the
eyes of the murdered Cesar gazing on
the face of Brutus.
That look told all He felt it in his
inmost heart He knew himself con
temptible But Delatole's worldly wise.
humorously cynical counsel was with
him, impressive and significant as the
tenets Of new creed to a convert.
He dropped her cold hand in silence
and half turned away a
''Fll come and see you very often. Vir
gillia, if fmay he said haltingly. New
York is not a wilderness, you know
Whenever my work permits, I'll come
and have chat with you, just-just the
same"
The words died ON his lips. He knew
he lied. He knew it would be long ere
he should choose to see her changed face
if indeed ever again.
Her silence maddened him.
"Have you nothing to say. Virginia."
''Goodby," she said, and smiled but
such asmilei There were agony and scorn
in it.
SIS that all.s
She held up her little head proudly,
and again from her pale, tense lips came
murmur clear and defiant.
"Goodby"
Then her eyes closed. When she look
ed up, he was gone.
Her body seemed weighted, and she
moved with an effort to the window.
finding a dreaminess that soothed the
hurt in her heart in watching the even
fall Of snow.
The chapel yonder was ablaze with
light, rainbow coloring from the win
dows falling in bars upon the fresh snow
that lovingly outlined every twig and
angle. And ROW the students came
thronging out, still singing the chorus
of the Christmas hymn, passed from
her sight, and silence fell again.