The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-11-03


me future. How his young face and
light step would brighten up the place!
1t was sometimes so lonely and quiet
with only her father. A vision of win
ter nights around o ruddy fire, of deli
cious, slow waning summer evenings on
the balcony, rose before her mind. They
wound be happy, she knew.
A few feet from the table set for din
ner a quaint, yellow keyed melodeon
stood, and here Virginia impulsively
seated herself. Her fingers fiickered over
the keys. the music filed the room, the
fainting light swan in her raised eyes
and rosied her lifted chin.
There was subtle fire, winning soft
ness, in the face. The hazel green eyes
glanced with intense life; mysterious
smile chung to the lips so proudly cut.
Her brown hair, holding the cleaning
russell tone seen in some dying leaves,
was drawn up to the crown, where
fluffy knot gave chic, stately touch to
her small head. charming consonance
with this warm brunette coloring her
skin was pale, transparent olive. She
was tall, her figure youthful, independ-
ent, her personality breathing magnetic
strength.
And as she played there, translating
the triumphant beauty of her dreams in
to harmony-dreams that widened her
narrow life and fed her soul-Tom en-
tered unheard. The sonorous chorus
found no echo in his heart. Pale beyond
words, he stood quite still until Virginia
turned to him.
There was no need for speech. She,
who knew his every expression, read the
truth in his face. 1t was pinched with
the pathetic revolt of the unsuccessful.
She was beside him in q second.
"Ive been waiting for you, Tom"
Oh, to press her cheek in a vehement
caress against his arm-he looked so
worn, so desperate! Oh, to whisper that
his pain was hers, for she loved him,
loved him! But instead she could only
stand mutely there, her very heart melt
ing within her.
II have failed" he broke forth in
passionate, trembling whisper. II am
mad, Virginia. I could tear myself to
pieces"
He walked to the window and for
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.
self to speak to him when the first
strength of his stormy despair had died.
Look" he muttered wildly, tearing
the soiled manuscript from an inner
pocket, "here it is, pressing like stone
against my heart. When went into the
theater, Virginia, I felt almost as if l
had conquered. When l came out,
walked the streets blind. 1 was con-
scious of nothing but an awful ache and
GOODNESS"
A shade born of intense feeling passed
over Virginia's face. Dare she utter the
truth that burned her? 1t might seem
cruel to him now, but in the end it would
be merciful.
She moved so that the last bars of day
light fell upon her face. Her eyes met
his.
"And do you despair so easily? she
asked clearly. "You are holding out
your hands to fame, and because she
does not push her treasures into your
blind grasp for your first asking you rail
at her GOODNESS. Success is worth more
than that, Tom, or it's worth nothing"
"For my first asking" he stammered
hotly. SIS this my first playa"
"But in writing the others you only
served an apprenticeship. They We're
weak and false-no, don't look angry.
Let me tell you the truth now and help
you if can. Did you write of anything
you knew or felt? Did you look into
your own heart and write? No, Tom,
not even in this one did you do that. 1t
is better than the others, but still only
superficial study. Write of life, Tom,
DEAR" she said, and going still nearer to
him clasped her fierce little hands around
his arm, her accents sounding inspired
on the silence. "Life!-it is the watch
word of the new school,"
"You didn't say this before. You let
me plan and build like the conceited
dolt was"
Tom turned away in blind, unreasOn-
ing rage. His kindest critic had gone
over to the enemy. If he had come to
her suffering from a physical wound and
she had struck him in the face, it could
not have seemed more awful than this
wanton tearing down of his faith in him
self.
"Would it have been better, wonder2
Well, perhaps. But as you read me the
play I saw how you loved it. One dis
couraging sentence spoken then just when
you were thinking of leaving the college
would have panied you too much. I
couldn't say it, Tom. I couldn't hurt
you SO. Besides doubted my Judgment
and waited"
She paused and threw back her head.
How fearless, how loyal she looked, as
her eyes flashed and her lips smiled
"Now 1t has failed as feared. But
what of that? I know you well-have
we been friends so long for nothing?--and
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