Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-03-29


taste. Fine engravings adorn the
walls, while bric-a- brac from many
chimes bespeak an owner of culture
and travel The table is strewn with
papers, parts of letters, and the usual
confusion attending large correspond
ence; but the chief object of interest is
the occupant of the room-a man of
power and influence Still, els face
does not bear the air of dignified Sc
renity with which it meets the homage
of an admiring world He is alone
now, the mask has fallen, and we see
weary, heart-sick man, tired of sense
less adulation, tired of the wealth that,
almost unsought, is his
His thoughts have flown backward
over the long busy years. and he
stands again by little garden gate
listening for some one-eagerly listen
ing for her ightest football. That
some one comes, and they walk to-
gether down through the flower
gemmed orchard He rememb ers the
pink and white apple blossoms she
wore in her belt, and the sunny gold
of her brown hair. Then he thought
he loved her, but when fame held out
it's glowing promises of success, how
easily such foolish thoughts were put
away. His mother, too, was ambitious.
yet" he unused, ''she was but silly
doll; she didn't understand me- Then
he absently read over a story from a
well-known writer, who had con-
tributed for years to his magazine.
Somehow her stories, poems and
sketches were always eagerly sought
He could learn nothing definite con-
corning the writer's history. The one
thing that puzzled him was, that per-
son of such apparently fine disabilities
should be SO sordid, for she demanded
an exorbitant price for every page she
wrote. ABR he reflected, IF l had
met a woman with her-powerful imag-
ination. her keen insight, her tender
heart, instead of Mary, how different
my life would have bee@e"
A few hours later, dignifed, serene.
conscious of his high social rank, this
man whose name was a synonym for
all that was grand and noble, whose
opinions were sought after, whose ring
ing words of eloquence had often
hushed into silent admiration thou
sands of his fellow men, was ushered
into the reception room of distin-
guished fellow citizen, who had taken
this occasion to INTRODUCE to the great
| man one of his well-<nown contributors,
a lady whose name was a household
word in almost every home in the land.
Some one was singing as he entered,
the tender song of Annie Laurie"
| He found his way as near as possible
| to the singer, for low and sweet as the
tones were they found an echo in his
tired heart. Mary" again he NUT
tered, somehow l have thought of her
! all day" As the singer arose, the hos
tess fastened to introduce her two dis
tinguished guests. He expressed his
| delight in listening to song that re-
called pleasant memories, and as he
talked he wished she would look up;
he wanted to see her eyes
He could not account for the sudden
interest he felt. He had pictured this
unknown writer as a confident, self
| possessed woman of the world, fas-
| cinating IN manner, brilliant in CONVEX
| SatiOn. yet here she stood with averted
! face-he Hsas sure it was a lovely one
answering his remarks in mono
| syllables. Soon a crowd of admirers
claimed her, and to his surprise he saw
this silent woman talking with ami
mated face and sparkling eyes to
others. He watched her curiously and
felt that he must know her better.
She was pleasantly conversational with
others during the evening, but he was
mortified to observe that she apparent
| ly avoided him.
Once he fancied their eyes met, and
Mary" involuntarily escaped his lips.
| 1t could not be she-of course not-yet
the same reproachful glance had met
his own fifteen years before at that
| stateroom door on Mississippi steam
| boat.
He would give worlds to know.
The evening drew to a close, the host
and hostess, with the friend in whose
honor the reception had been given.
stood in the drawing-room door, bid
ding good night to the departing
guests. Slowly the distinguished man
whose presence would honor any as
semblage approached
81 have passed delightful eve ming,
he said to his entertainers as he bade
them good night, then turning to the
lady who had SO puzzled and interested
him he simply said good night" as he
held for moment her small, shapely
hand.
Was he dreaming or did a voice
sweet and low, respond: Good night
George"
He FASTENED to his apartments, but
not to sleep Hour after hour he paced
the floor, then, at early dawn, he wrote
MARY, Mary, what a fool L have been
but in my heart there is enshrIned s
memory of the days of our early love
l have loved you all these years. anc
now life will be worthless unless yol
come back and forgive me-" He wrote
much more in the same passionat.
strain, then sent it by a messenger.
A few hours later he received a not,
from his hostess of the evening before
regretting that her guest had gone OF
the early morning train, but she would
mail his letter to her.
Days of anxious suspense followed
but one morning, while feverishly sort
ing over his mail, he discovered the long
looked-for letter, and hastily read:
"EDICOR MAGAZINE-Dear Sir: Your las
business letter, indicating desire for poer
for the next issue of your popular magazine
was received some time ago. Pardon The de
lay. The price for poem incIosed will be tn
same as that you have usually paid for article
of the same length MRS -
The poem did not appear in the mex
issue. In fact it was never published