davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17


He stood with bowed head watching
the papers. They rustled in swirl of
wind and flame, subsidized into spasmodic
chickering's, and nothing was left but
handful of charred fragments light as
thistle down.
"God, help mel Give me my dream"
he murmured, his lips scarcely moving.
A sustained burst of deep toned sound
from the organ hoated to him through
the closed doors. 1t thrilled him to the
heart. He seemed to hear Virginia's
stanch words in their delicate intona-
tions:
II believe in you, Tom"
Louder the music rolled, higher, sweet
er, ono keen minornote transcending the
heavier volume and browning it like O
star. The mans longing eyes frightened
as he listened. The festival Of harmony
augmented his strength. His love rushed
out to meet it like flood meeting flood.
Virginia seemed playing pecan of sane
titled victory fit for crusader who holds
his standard aloft, though ranking
wound pales his lips.
He would accept her message.
Until the last vibration had sunk to
caressing whisper he stood entranced
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17
bAy. sHsi EMBER II. 1898.
- do, my dear I do not SEQ
Z lack any of the plain comforts

- do, my deaR do not SEQ
tH lack any of the plain comforts
wa III, alasi are all can at present pro-
vide-and if l choose to add luxurious
trifle, something associated with the dear
dead days, I will not" he said in clear,
studied yoice-"I will not be interfered
with. Now, if you please, my child,
we'll say no more about it. Whenever
you want to talk over household matters
with me, am always at your service
in private"
Nothing moro was said, and the bust
was placed near the melodeon. But
Virginia could not bear to look at it.
Poverty was biting, their needs urgent
and debt abhorrent to her. How many
panels she would have to strain her eyes
over before half of $50 was earned. A
burning mist fell over her sight. She
looked up and met Toms compassion-
ate eyes. They counseled her to be pa
tient. All, what did these small briers
matter since he loved her?
There lay her hope, her refuge.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17
IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.

Documents of the First Fourteen Com
crosses Found In the Senate basement.
The former assistant librarian of the
senate, Mr.. Z. T. Cressey, has made a
most important discovery among the 49,
600 volumes, supposed to be useless,
which have been accommodating for years
in the basement of the senate wing of
the capitol. After search of months
he has found 70 volumes, hitherto sup
posed not to be in existence, which com
prise the senate documents of the first 10
congresses and the house documents of
the first nine. The Congressional library,
the Boston public library and the British
museum are all without these, and the
addition of them to the senate library
makes it the most valuable in the world
for references of the proceedings, debates
and documents of congress.
Almost from the adoption of the con-
stitution all documents of the senate
and the house have been set aside in
small numbers for the secretary of the
senate. These were kept in bad order,
if kept at all, and were scattered in vari-
GUS places. Just after the war, how
ever, they were all collected into the
senate library, which occupies num-
Der of almost impenetrable recesses in
the upper part of the senate wing and
also an equal number of still more diff
cult hooks and corners in the basement
near the heating machinery. This last
was dry and safe place, but hardly any
body ever ventured within its doors.
The 10000 volumes accumulated there
were all supposed to be extra ones. Mr..
Cressey's discovery shows that they con-
tain perhaps the richest single treasure
i'll the country.
The volumes are in a good state of
preservation, although they and many
others stacked in this unexplored retreat
show traces of the worms. Many of the
backs indeed are entirely gone, but the
pages are intact, and the senate library
may now boast that it has for reference
complete documents of the senate and
the house, all except those of the senate
of the Second congress-
A few of the 70 volumes are bound in
manuscript, just as they came from the
authors, and some of them, as it is be-
lieved, have never been printed. Dur.
ing the first II congresses none of the
documents was numbered. nor was their
| character indicated by marks. Thus
each must carefully be examined to as
certain whether it is an executive or q
miscellaneous document or a committee
yapogt.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17
THE ROANOKE TIMES, SIN
there is such gladness and LIGHT in nv

there is( such gladness and light in my
heart for you, Toni Tell me more, tell
me oil about it."
He leaned closer. She felt his hand
upon her shoulder. His mouth, in it's
1.-the, boyish curves. was very near her
own.
"There is something else must tell
you first" he said slowly.
In that long, sultry look she knew ALL
Her pulses quickened, q fire grew in her
heart. He loved her. then? Oh. he did.
he did!
resistless impulse. n moment of con-
fused, delirious joy, and their lips chung
in a kiss that drew Virginias 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.
81 have had a pleasant day." he said
briskly. "Such delightful coincidence.
What would life be without the unex-
pected? Have you ever thought of that.
Tom?'
81 am thinking of it now, SIR" and lie
exchanged heeting glance of arch mean
ing with Virginia. But differ with
you slightly. The unexpected can prove
,ral1 of coma yoo,oantc o,,t o,I
out nuisance"
"When it's of an unpleasant nature.
yes, of course-my slippers, Virginia
thank you, my de,;r--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 glorifed. She looked
with naive tenderness straight at Tom
as she spoke-looked until her eyes fell
under the fire in his,
"It happened this way" and Mr.. Kent
ambled drowsily on, ignorant that the
splendor of youth and love was eddying
in warm glances around his frosty head
II had just cashed my check and was
walking up Broadway. AS came near
Bond street CHANGED to look up and saw
an auctioneer's flag over dim shop in
basement. went down. The place was
packed, the bidding was brisk. Pieces of
quaint pottery went for a song, old min
iatures, shawls and rugs. went nearer.
All, how l longed for money, money,
money!"
He paused, and Virginia gave an I'M
easy glance at the package.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17

As Tom spoke he felt the sensitive
pleasure all who 6rst came in contact
with Delatole experienced in some de-
gree The restful assurance of his man.
ner, the flashes of his shrewd ewes. the
musical, drawing voice, were all insinu-
atingly attractive to Tom and filed him
with admiration. BY comparison he fell
himself too brusque, too impetuous, al
most an artless savage.
'sYou interest me-" said Delatole. 0r
must have you tell me more of yourself.
Unless I'm greatly mistaken, New Yorl,
won't be averse to hearing little about
you tomorrow. After the play, if you've
nothing better on hand, suppose you
come and sup with me-"
The act had commenced, and he scarce
ly paused to hear TOMS murmured ac-
ceptance. It was q foregone conclusion
that new author would not dream OF
refusing Anthony Delatole.
When the curtain fell, the excited
audience rose and cheered. They want
ed the leading actors, the manager and
lastly the author. Virginia gave q little
excited sob in her muff as she listened to
the hoarse, irregular cry. They wanted
Tom. Oh, to think Of iti They were
calling for him rs for victor. Her
heart throbbed exultantly under O pres
sure of happy pain, and when he came,
an expectant hush awaiting his words;
when she heard his rich toned, familiar
voice across the footlights, a tear did fall
on the new pearl colored gloves.
AS he retreated amid more "bravos"
and hand clapping he sent her glow
ing glance, and she waved her hand to
him. 1t was worth having lived for that
moment.
He was waiting outside the theater.
but only to say he could not return with
her, and he introduced Delatole, who
stood by, his chin luxuriously buried in
great fur collar.
Before turning away he managed to
say in a low voice:
"Have justified your belief in me,
Virginia? Tell me that"
You need not ask. The public has
answered, but in case you have any
doubt let me tell you wanted to hug the
audience en- masse, and-just look mt my
gloves"
He left her laughing. and half looking
back, and she was glad-yes, glad-of
this chance that made him the guest of
brilliant man on this happy night. But
something cold fell upon her heart as in
crossing the street she turned her head
and saw Tom striding away in the show
er of moonlight by his new friends side
1t was foolish, womanly apprehen-
sion without root or reason, such as, born
in the darkness, die in the morning.
Fight it as she would, however, it came
back and chung to her as the dampness
clings to the walls of II sunless room I'M
til every semblance of cheer died under
the depressing chill.
1T will he different tomorrow" she
said. with Il heavy sigh. as she fell asleep
| THAT night
RIO be continued next Wednesday,
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17
KISS OF GOLD.
BY KATE JORDAN.
IUopyright 1893 by j. B. Lipp ncott Company
and published by special arrangement with
them.]
IContinued from last Wed aesdsy.l
CHAPTER III.

1t was close upon Ii when at length
he quilted the house. The mood of the
night had changed. A light drizzle filled
the air. A red vapor rolled across the
sky, broken i'll places and giving glimpses
of deeper murkiness beyond. Fog horns
beloved from the river. Freight trains
like dingy serpents crawled past the
western boundary of the college campus
and went kissing into the fog. He paused
1rresolute for a moment after the gate
Changed behind him, then crossed the
street and entered the college grounds.
An unquiet spirit possessed him as he
strobe along the familiar paths. He was
only trespasser in this place where
hitherto he had roamed at will, but
whether he was seen or not was of little
consequence. He had escaped from his
quiet room into the wet, massy darkness
to question himself. The vapor that
CARRIED every tree i'll ghostly robes, the
light sweep of the wind passing his ear
like woman's sigh, the peace here and
the reminders of life on the river and
market places beyond were all old and
dear to him. They had helped him be-
fore
1t was not of his rejected play he was
thinking. Somehow the keenness of the
sting left by failure had subsidized. In
fancy he saw woman's face-Virginia'
face. 1t seemed to float before him,
sometimes the eyes hidden as with a
veil, sometimes the sweet, proud mouth.
He was filled with this new feeling
that in the twinkling of an eye had
rushed over him. Was it love? Love!
Oh, the ecstasy ringing in the soft VOW
els as he 1nurmured them in IL tender
semitoneI
Hitherto he had written of love, had
believed that he understood it. But to-
night in every fiber he felt the illimita-
BILE, untranslatable difference. He had
been like u blind man dwelling on the
beauty of the light he had never seen-a
stay at home describing the marvels of
lands never journeyed through. His
heart had been sleeping while in his
writings he had prated of passion.
But this sweeping forgetfulness of self
even in n bitterly critical moment; this
reaching ont to and flooding immersion
in the personality of another; this mad
ness that shook him, trailing its seduc-
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17

''IHcTC Is something else | must tell DOu
first"
"But you didn't buy any of those love-
ly, useless things?" she interposed in a
whisper. you didn't, surely, dad? You
know the quarters rent
Never mind the quarters rent, Vir-
ginia. You always will drag in these
purely private matters before our
guests"
With delicate impotence he moved
to the stove and held out his white
hands to the warmth.
"Where was when you interrupted
me? Ah,' and he took off his glasses,
lightly Ticking his coat sleeve with
them, 81 remember, l controlled my
self. l bought nothing until l saw a
gem that almost made me give a cry of
recognition. Against the red cloth in
the .lamplight and dust. stood a, piece of
statuary that L parted with in an evil
day long ago" He looked ut both his
listeners with dim smile, and his voice
became retrospective. "How it recalled
the bright spring morning picked it up
in Paris! An, dear me! commenced
bidding for it.
cat last only one voice was heard
competing with me. The owner of it
peered at me through the crowd. l
peered at him. Who was it but the son
of dear old friend! All, it was a sight
to see him look at me only half con-
WINGED. is your name KentY 1T is,
and you are Richard Monklow,' an
swered Well, he withdrew, and the
bust became mine. 1 spent the rest of
the day with him. We lunched at Del
monico's, played game of poker in his
rooms afterward. All, he's fine fellow,
this Lieutenant Monklow. He's just left
the navy to inherit great fortune. Oh,
what life he has had! Teeming with
adventure, with experience. Lucky dog!
But open the packages, Tom, and see
"The Masker.' 1t cost me $50 to regain
it. What matter? 1t is worth hun
dreds."
In moment Tom had the wrappings
off, and the bust was placed on little
stand. Tho head and shoulders of girl
CLEANED Whitley in marble. She was
represented laughing with unrestrained
gayety, her eyes half closed from sheer
WEAKNESS of so much mirth, her curling
mouth with its range of little teeth just
showing above the small mask that one
daintily curved hand had pulled down in
capricious moment.
A lovely thing, indeed, but sadly out
Of place in that poor room. 1t seemed
strange to Virginia that her father did
not recognize the singular unftness.
The girl was laughing at them all!
And to have spent 800 for it'll Oh, it was
wanton, cruel!
"Touch it reverently, Virginia; it be-
longs to my past" sighed Mr.. Kent.
But, father dear, how-how could
you do it?" she burst out with uncon-
trollable reproach. Sixty dollars, and
so many things needed here!'
Tom saw the old mans eyes fash, as
he straigbtened himself from the waist:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17
CHAPTER Nv

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
a promise of ultimate victory in its warn
ing voice. babe 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 panel for q
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17

and found Delatole critically examining
him.
So this was Delatole, the feared, the
brilliant, the applauded. The very chill
dren were familiar with his name Es-
says, poems, reviews, had trickled from
his untiring pen in crystalline phrases,
the pattering music of mandolin in their
light swing. He had been pioneer in re-
forms in the political, social and ethical
centers of the country. But he was best
known as a dramatic critic, a mechanic
of verbal eccentricities that surprised
and daZzled. His paragraphs fingered in
the memory and could not be forgotten.
With his pen he let out the blood in the
veins of the plays he condemned, and for
those that won him wove in one magical
sentence a verbal crown of flowers Ian
guidly sweet and penetrating as fall of
happy tears. This was Delatole, the au-
thor, the poet realist of theater lobbies.
The man at first glance was disap-
pointing. Tom had fancied him gray
and dignified, his eyes heavy with tho
disillusion of life, but instead he found
him only a little older than himself,
small and pompous in bearing. His
spare face was sallow and ended in a
pointed black beard. His eyes were
hollow and Of that dense blackness that
resists light. A sardonic fippancy had
curled his upper lip to one side.
AS he languidly drew one hand from
the pocket of the great, shaggy coat en-
veloping him like blanket, Tom no
ticed it was pale and forceless as tho
hand Of delicate woman, the tips of
the fingers SIENNA brown from the use of
tobacco.
1--WE been looking for you. wanted
word with you" he said, tone and
glance connoisseurlike. "Is it true THE
Worlds Way is your first playt"
1.-THE first that has not died almost at
18Th -
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17
Mathematician.

Jess-Jack's entire thoughtfulness was
what captivated me.
Bess-What did he say when he pro-
posed to you?
Jess-1t ran thus: 81 have never loved
q woman as l do you since-since-(re
ferring to his ebook)-since-le me
see-Tuesday, the 18th of July."-Tit-
Bits.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17

/. strong hearted Virginia, I am not fit to
love you"
And now a state of feeling beyond ex-
preston or definition assailed him and
held him as in coil. 1t was strange,
subtle, exquisitely sad. The mist and
rain were part of it, the blustery dark
ness, the troubled breath in the trees, the
longing and indecision in his soul, the
ache of passion, the ambition so limitless
and unavailing, the dull acauiescence of
the conquered
How merciless destiny seemed in that
moment! How empty the world! The
race so long, so firing, ending-even at
the best-in what!
He was stirred to an ecstatic sadness.
Something vital euickened in his con-
SNsciousness.
A The serenity of his fair, untempted
LIARS sank from sight, and he seemed to
look down an illuminated depth into the
very heart of life. Love and death were
there; agony and sin; joy, derision, temp
tation, despair the curse of the suicide,
the laughter of young girls, the sorrow
that cries in the night. 1t was all SO ter
ribly clear. 1t racked him, inundated
him, knitted itself to him.
One after another faces arose, Young
and old; hands seemed outstretched. He
heard words that contained the glory and
tire of diamonds, so real they were, SO
trenchant. Oh, if lie could but write
them as they thronged into his mind-if
he could tell the wonderful story that
unfolded itself before him like scroll
upon the darlsness-migh not some stand
and listen?
he shiyered and looked around, cmerg-
ing from his waking dream as from a
trance, and almost startled to find him
self alone.
What was this marvellous change? He
seemed on the threshold Of secret, the
door open to his hand. He was as one
born again under new conditions, with
keener faculties for reasoning and feel
ing. A fire had touched nina fire of
love. 1t lightened the dark places of his
nature, melted the crust that held the
currents of knowledge imprisoned, and
he felt stimulated to walk victorious
where before he had stumbled.
He thought Of the play that but short
while since had been 30 dear thing to
him. Crude. false and sterile it seemed
now.
Andyet to venture again-dare he do it?
Even while he questioned he knew he
must. His fingers tingled to grasp q pen
The delight of the artist, the creator,
quivered through him. TWAS tempered
by a sickening edge of dread, but still it
was delight.
In a little while he was again in his
own room tearing the leaves Of the re-
jected play to pieces. He flung them into
the grate and touched them with match
Virginia was rieht, he said, his voice
broken, es if he had run long way, and
indeed his inner self had iourneyed to
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17
Almost an Insinuation.

Teacher-If your father gives you 40
cents and your brother so cents. how
much will you have?
Tommy-Humph! guess you don't
know much about my pa. He is not that
sind of a hairpin. -1"3-ss Siftings.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-17

ner prusn GOWN ana ilsJened TO 1t. 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 to
the scratch of his impetuous pen.
Perhaps her words had stung him to
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 life be? The clock an
swered with q cynical, knowing tick.
A shadowy wave of desolation rushed
over her, and the room grew dark. Her
hands fell down helplessly. The clock
licked louder, like garrulous crone
foretelling disaster.
Virginia" fell upon her ears with
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 a 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
tnl in Ii
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 handw and his voice was,
heavy with love, "dear, faithful little
hand! Let it rest awhile here, Virginia"
The girl shivered as one does who
rushes from cold vault into the sun
light
"Look at me-" she heard him saving
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 me-!
And you were right. / 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.
"Td like to set all tho bells in the
chapel pealing, call out the fellows and
tell them the exchange was not so bad
after all. Not so bad, eh, Virginiar' he
asked, thinking how lovely were the
yelvety deeps of her eyes.
lit Is 80 sudden. so strange. Bnt. oh.