Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-09


II thought Mrs. Ward objected 10 su ..S,'a
cars" he remarked. Grace sihi'eu. 10
did until my sister married. anu IN
while keeping n brougnam ior N"''
our 80 very little. ..,sn-
So the Venus was married. bie'e
cd her husband Joy OF her. ..o
"We've taken a house west or 'he
avenue" Grace continued. My mount,
likes IL. but I'm homesick for the on
trees I'm the square. They are IKE w
OF the country all the year nes, re-
member how YOU loved Tnem,' ne an
sxered. And they both fell to thinking Oh
the past. .ho
Grace now began TO look out OF ,ne
window. and gather her parcels toseenei
i'm a fashion that made him guess sue
was nearing her destination. presently
she bade him SOP the car. There Is the
storage building. get out here. merry
christmas to you. Good-by!' she sald'
and hurried away.
Brett looked after her longingly. Must
no let her 20 thus2 Would II be imperu-
nent to offer her safe conduct2 Dread OF
trespasslng on her new friendiness fought
with his longing TO follow her. and she
might have melted away In the night
leaving him more desolate than ever
had he not noticed the Keeling hgures OF
three drunken workmen crossing tne
street in the direction she had taken. lie
instantly jumped Off the car and hurried
east.
This was a poor neighborhood, where
stables alternated with tenement-houses'
whose plain faces were SCARED by the
fre-escapes which marked their over
populatiOn The street-lamps hicAefe1
dimly. and somewhere an asthmauc hand
organ was grinding out Two Little GIFTS
in Blue" His eyes were still so dazzieo
by the brilliancy OF the thoroughfare tnat'
for moment. he saw Grace noWhere'
and questioned anxiously If he could nave
mistaken the turning.
Half way down the block some boys had
built a bonfire Of straw and barrel-staves,
shouting with glee as they piled on tresh
sticks. When il blazed up the red glare
Illuminated Grace's figure hurrying up
the street. closely pursued by three men.
Brett dashed forward, with cry, ana
was beside her I'm a moment. she heasI
the rhythm OF his hurrying feet ana
/ turned TO greet him. "Oh, I'm so glad you
came" she said. Please take me home,
George" "Of course. I'll take you home
he said, "but let me settle with these
/ fellows first. Have they been annoying
your" NO! no. A scene would be dread
/ full Indeed, they did not do anything.
| was just nervous, and am giad you
came. Please. George" she painted
Brett looked back. The men had turned
across the street. He saw them enter
| bar-room at the corner. Every wei, dear;
| give me your package" he answered "a
/ he drew her hand through his arm, ana
Grace let it lie there willingly.
The htful CLEAN from the bonfire behind
/ them the misty outlines OF the houses
! the dim street lamps, above all, the gem
/ tie presence Of his love, impressed MN
with a sense Of unreality. Il shall wake
I'D in a minute" he thought. "and l may
not have seen her face after an. lie
STONED and drew her into a doorway
"Grace. dear" he said. won't you lift
YOUR veil for a moment2 1t has been 50
| long. and you have always seemed so
/ displeased when / dreamed OF you. L
want to say something that / can say
better If ] may look into your true eyes
She pushed back her veil and lifted her
tender face TO his. Pm not going to eX-
cuse myself dear; Of course you could
not comprehend, you are too pure ana
good: ! think even your God mad 10 pc
/ born a man before he could understand
a mans weakness but | want you to be-
Ieve me when l tell you your sister was
wrong You always were, and always
will be the one woman in all the world
for me I was crazy with misery after
YOU refused 10 listen that night, and
when the financial crash came 10 sober
me. | had no longer right TO speak.
Don't. please don'tr she demonstrated
/ He looked down at her and noticed she
was crying softly.
Il saw some Of your snowdrops IN
window to-day" he continued. u bought
them for the sake OF what had Deen
hut I could not send them TO you'll did
not even know where you lived-l' VINO
was to have been your husband and MS
voice broke. Grace, dear, sometimes J
am even wild enough to think you could
forgive me II YOU knew how desolate my
| life is without you
4 great hope began 70 dawn upon MN
as ne spoke. He bent nearer to her.
Tell me. dear, for the sake OF our old
| love. IS there any possibility OF pardon
| for me? Won't you let me try 10 win you
| again. nv saint?" She pressed her cheek
| against his hand as II lay on hers on
nv dearest, l, too, have need OF forgive
| nessi L have suffered bitterly" she cried.
'Vhat right had 20 doubt you-to listen
| 10 anv one against you? But now 1
| only pray that God may grant me a
| long life TO make amends for the misery
| I have caused you. my own true lover.
So 10Y overlook them after many
DAYS" and as they walked away TO-
eether the raw night the cries OF the
ragged children, the whole commonplace
of the ugly street was so transmitted by
the glory of their love that, in tie set
ting of their happy after life the mem
orv OF that green Christmas gloWed Tor
| ever like a perfect emerald.