Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05
COLUMN FOR EASTER.
Light That Was Never on Land or
Sea.
FLOWERS OF THE SEASON.
Madonna Lilies, AcCaclaS, Purple and
White Mather, EtO.
PRETTY TABLE DECORATIONS.
A Car Filled with LiIncs and Drawn
by Doves IL an Exquisite Design
Americas Blossom.

IL was the eve OF Easter. Twilight had
fallen over the crest OF the mountain
an hour since. and now the plain below
lay silent In haze OF misty light,
wrapped in the ineffable swoon OF ST.
lence and mystery. which makes night
the eternal Sphinx OF creation.
The season was far advanced for April,
and the wOoing breath that fioated across
the valley was laden with that warm.
earthly smell that rises when the bosom
Of the earth is first stirred from Its cold
slumber. A vague delicious odor wa,
waited on the night wind: on the low
range OF foothills away to the south
west there burned a row OF brush fires,
their smoke and flames strangely fantas-
tic in the silvered air.
The girl leaning against the meadow
bars turned her face up TO the sky. but
her wide, solemn eyes saw not the beau
~ OF the night. Deep into the vault she
gazed. her attitude intense, her fingers
interlaced, until the veins stood out, her
head turned slightly TO catch the foot
fan she knew so well.
As the soft light fell upon her there
It showed a face and form at once striking
and uncommon; a tall, strong, young
figure, a trihe more mature than grace
ful. a face set in sombre melancholy. a
broad white brow. an aureOle OF red
brown hair, and eyes Of deep brown with
q curious amber fieck in their pupils.
There was the sound Of little twigs
breaking under quick footstep. The
girl started and drew herself up IN q
resoIute attitude "Ah, Jean, are you
there7 Have you waited long for meY''
He vaulted lightly over the meadow bars
aud clasped both Of her hands in his.
A slight tremor shook the girls figure.
You are cold" he said hastily. you
must not be III. If You do you will not
be able 20 sing tomorrow AS he spoke
he took tho wrap she had left lying I'M
needed and placed it carefully about her
shoulders An inscrutable expression
fitted over the girls countenance. she
drew away from him imperceptbly.
Il am not cold" she said, "and shall
not be 81 for tomorrow.
He took a step nearer her and looked
long and deeply into her eyes.
"Our last day." he said.
4 silence fell between them. The fresh
breeze swept down from the foothills,
bearing the spicy odors OF the burning
brush the smoke wreathed in strange
fantastic shapes on the distant horizon,
like wraiths Of dead loves. Spencer Gregg
stood as though spell-bOund and gazed
into the face Of the girl who frcm the
first hour he had met her had filled his
life with a new fascination. Attracted
by her charm and bafled by her pride
he had admired and all but loved her.
lie fancied himself too much her social
superior 10 wed her, yet coming on the
eve Of his departure for the East TO say
farewell, the beauty and the witchery of
the hour, and the warm, magnetic per-
sonality Of the girl worked Ike magic in
his brain. and in one swift instant he
felt that common heritage of the sons
OF Adam run through his veins like fire.
Jean" he said in a choked voice, dear
Jean" His outstretched arms almost en-
circled her figure. which seemed 10
shrink suppNcatingly; his warm breath
famed her cheek. Jean, Jean" he went
on breathlessly. hurried now by the fire
within him. do you remember how
often we have sung together? DO you
remember the happy hours we have spent
together An. We have been happy, have
We not. Jean?"
The girls face was like marble. Her
Ups contracted strangely. She looked at
Spencer Gregg as one might at the face
OF the dead
Yes, / remember" she said. quietly
ana coldly. Tomorrow you go away,
am you VIII be-happy with others"
Despite her pride and self-control, the
eifIs voice died away I'm a tremor.
spencer Gregg was stirred until the
eep'hs OF his manhood were almost
reached Never before had she so near
~ unveiled the sacredness OF her wo-
MANHOOD 10 him; and now, for the first
uine' ne guessed the depths OF that pas
sionate but proud nature. The know
iedse hlled him with an unspeakabie de-
Heht once more that strange, mystic
h"lsaa on surged through his brain.
AFTER all, what ala II matter-love. and
life. and Jean, and poverty. against opu-
fence ana barren existence? He would
I've her come what may; those Won
ufous eyes should always look into his:
tnose warm, red lips always be ready
70 eaieSs MIN. One more he stretched
OUT MS arms. the vows Of eternal love
trembling on Dis tongue. But Jean fore
s'siea him. To love as she loved was
esony when not returned In degree. with
he swift intuition born OF true affec-
uon' she discerned that missing link,
Without which no son OF Adam may hope
win true daughter OF Eve
am very glad OF H." she said. her
SH figure towering TO its fun height IN
us pale light. and her voice growing
ntin again. II shall never forget our
peasant days together, and ! shall ex.
-" '" go var ON your -@'"-n n~vs wear