Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1896-08-07

threw open long
perspective of broad suburban road
with trees and twinkling gas lamps,
and the red and green bull's-eyes OF
travelling tramcars. Opposite a little
station periodically belched forth a
thin stream of railway passengers be-
tween the brown doors beplastered
with placards and news stands. Each
time the white cloud of steam rose into
the air, and the doors became partially
obscured with hurrying forms, she
moved few steps forward, looked
across anXiously, and then, as the iast
traveller passed under the big lamp and
was swallowed up in the car, bus, or
distant road, she turned to the shadow
of the trees and tapped little loot
impatiently upon the pavement. AT
length, when tears of rage and disap-
pointment filled her eyes and chohed
In her throat, man stepped DrlsKiy
over to the deserted path by the church.
She turned and began to walk slowly
away up the road, but the attentive
pose of her head betokened her knoWl-
edge of his presence. He reached her
side and slid hand down on her arm.
Sorry to keep you waiting, DEAR he
said quickly and pleasantly. An I'M
pOrtant man came in and detained me.
She did not respond to the coaXlnG
hand, marching along stiffly and say
ing, 20, it doesn't natter in voice
which showed that it mattered tremen-
dously.
He cast look at the pale, pretty face
set so haughtily upon watching the re-
ceding car Immediately in front OF
them, thrust both hands into his coat
pockets, and said with a spice of sharp
weariness in his tone. well, what's
wrong, them"
She resented the sharpness, and did
rot hear the tiredness SO she answered:
20, well, I'm getting little tired OF
business! You are always busy now.
You have always man to see, letter
to write, a call to make, an important
negotiation to conduct, a committee to
attend, document to consider. And"
she added smiling slightly at her
mocking eloquence, IF it is not one Oh
these ordinary events, 1T is another stun
more usual-you are tired"
He frowned; but he said cheerfully
We'll, that isn't my fault, is it? |
work hard, and hard work means ia
igue when evening comes"
She did not see the frown, and his
fight dismissal of her arguments against
him vexed her. She would show him
she was not to be trifed with. She
looked up at the great round moon ana
said airily: There is only one thing
left, then. 1t is very evident that you
have not q moment to spare in your
life. You have often told me you could
not spare the time you give me-a
little hour walk twice week. Well
a fsSrer who is always too busy and too
tired to give his sweetheart any OF his
society isn't much of lover for girl
to have, is he?"
II suppose not" he replied gravely.
Il am always being disappointed and
put off, or kept waiting. Other girls go
out walking with their lovers very
often. When go out with you it is
quite an event, and one which you ap-
pear to think ought to be sufficient
pleasurable society for me for several
months. Many girls would not submit
to such treatment"
There are many girls ] should not
ask to do so, said he quietly.
The long road had darkened. A
thick, gray cloud sailed up out of the
east and passed over the moon. Only
its edges were silvered by the radiance
1t obscured, and a few stars peeped
through misty interstices.
so, as you are so busy, and your life
go filled with other things, it is quite
certain you have no room for me in it,
1 am tired of constantly waiting for
you, tired of your continual business,
your eternal weariness-"
He raised his head with sudden
movement, and said sternly and flu
riously:
mo! You want a lazy, lack-brain
fool, without ambition and without
manliness; something that will fatter
and fawn, and be always at your beck
and call like a servant or dog. I'm
not that kind. have work to do-hard
uphill work, that needs all my atten-
ton, energy and time, If l am to bring
it to successful issue. And you, to
whom l ought to look for cheer and
helpful affection, sheer al me because l
am not an idle, loafing idiot"
He quickened his walk to swinging
stride. She glanced at him sidewise
and began to waver in her confidence
of her wrongs. The lamps cleaned out
brightly against the dark sky. The
moon had totally disappeared behind a
mass of besieging clouds.
II do not, said she. Il say you have
no room for me in your life, and so we
had better make an end before COM
mencing a beginning that can have no
end"
VERY well" said he, and walked fast
er She kept pace with difficulty. She
saw the lamps, the houses, the trees,
the passing cars and people dimly. He
was angry and Disguised and disap-
pointed with her! She wished she had
met him nicely. Perhaps he could not
help being late. He was always very
good and kind Now she had lost him.
She wished she could cry, but the tears
refused to be shed. The climax had not
arrived She looked up at the moon
less eXpanse Of clouds miscrably.
Presently he spoke again. And this
is what / get for toiling incessantly-
comparison with fools whose whole aim
in and end Of life is to eat, drink and
sleep, and put care on other folks
shoulders! To think that ! should have
win 10