The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-04-26
CHAPTER XVI.

The snow was falling through the black
night. Chelsea square was silent, and
the wind among the line Of trees stand
ing sentinel wise came like tremendous
sigh ascending to a moan. Tho year
would die and the new year be born in .
whirling whiteness, winding sheet and
baptismal robe in one.
The lights in the lamps fared lone
somely or bent to the rush of the wind.
Their uncertain flicker fell upon Tom
and sent strange, leaping shadows across
his face. He walked as one without pur-
pose and kept close to the palings
| Following his confession had come
Delatole's attacks in the press, each word
an adder bite. He had expected them.
but they drove him mad. and for week
he had been hidden in the neither circles
Of the city. Such weck!--a confagra-
ton in which he had tried to burn every
vestige Of honorable manhood left him.
But he had not succeeded. No. for he
was here in this last hour Of the year,
making his indeterminate way for a last
look at the peaceful old square he had
once thought so stupid, a last look at
the walls that had frowned on his fro
ward hopes, perhaps last word with
Virginia. And them The rivera sleep
In the'snow-an- end somehow.
At the tree where the knowledge Of
his love and power first came to him he
paused. His arms were loosely folded
on his breast. His eyes were shadowy
and grieved as those of beaten animal
thoroughly cowed.
Suddenly the shade at Virginia's win
dow was raised, and she stood with her
body pressed against tine glass, her hands
arched over her eyes as she peered into
the night. Oh, was she watching for
him? Oh, had she one thought for him!
With a ycarning rob Tom made .
movement forward and then retreated.
He could see the whole room. A man
had entered. He remembered him as
Vrginia's companion O. the theater. He
carried a bunch of lowers as white as
the snow clinyins 10 his broad shoulders,
and as Virginia went toward him he
took her hand and gave them to her.
What words was he speaking nowi
Tom could see his strong. quivering face.
his moving lips, his submissive yet i'm
| FASHIONED attitude.
He loved Virginia. Yes, and the en-
chanted whisper of his love seemed to
steal out to the watcher through the
drifting snow.
A moment they stood cIoseiy together,
then Virginia was in his arms, clinging
to him, and he had kissed her.
A sharp breath Of longing broke from
Tom. To shut vut the picture he turned
his face to the wet bark of the tree,
shuddering and sobbing like q woman.
Virginia another's. He not the slight
est influence in her life ever again-fall-
en- into darkness. utterly forgotten.
Family the first chimes fioated from
the belfry, and he looked up.
Virginia had left her lover. who stood
Just behind her She was again at the
window. still under curved hands LOOK
ing into the darkness, and now he could
plainly see the pity, the tender, search
ing look in the wide. clear eyes.
He was not forgotten. No. no, not
even In this first moment Of her new
happiness. Il was for him her gaze tried
to pierce the deep gloom. for him-poor
wanderer-the light burned brightly in
her window, as II she knew, who knew
him 60 well. he might stray back that
night.
! Re stepped into the deeper shadow,