The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-09
HER AMBITION.

windy, rainy November evening, and ever
since lunch she had been padding about
London, climbing the grimy stairs Of
newspaper offices and talking to people
who did not seem especially pleased to sec
her. Her skirts were wet, and wisp Of
damp hair was tumbling over her eyes.
On the hall table, disclosed by the flicker.
ing gas jet, were some letters.
"A year ago today" said Eva to herself
as she closed the door against the wind.
Has he written or has he forgottenP"
He had not forgotten. Eya picked up
the letter from the hall table, looked quick.
ly round at the closed hall door, at the
closed dining room door, and at the baize
door that led to the kitchen stairs--and
kissed 1t. Then she went up stairs to her
bed sitting room with the letter in her
hand and great joy in her heart.
Hateful little roomp' she murmured
to herself as she struck a match and lit the
gas, But it's the last time, thank Godr'
The room WIS not really bad--a bed in
the corner, washstand, n wardrobe, here
and there picture on the walls, and ia
bic by the window, rather rickety, on
which lay heap of manuscript-a half
finished story.
II will burn that before go to bed to-
night" said Eva as she caught sight of 1t.
Then she took off her hat and cloak,
drew the only easy chair under the gas jet,
and sat down. lingering the letter, she
did not open 1t atonce. Now that happi-
ness stretched in front Of her 1t was pleas.
ant to linger on the confines of misery,
to look back on the life she was to leave.
ut is not every one,'' said Eva reHec-
lively, "who can make experiments in life
without expense"
Eva Norrington had been the pride of
the provincial town which gave her birth.
At the high school no girl could stand
against her. Her former goyerness, who
now and then asked her favorite pupils to
tea, even said she might be head mistress
one day. To Eva this seemed absurd. But
when, at the age of 20, she gained guinea
prize for story in q weekly paper, she be-
gan to think that at least she might be
great novelist. AT any rate she felt sure
that somewhere ahead of her stretched a
career, and as her twenty first birthday
approached she announced to her startled
parents her intention of going to London
In search Of it, Thereupon ensued a series
of domestic scenes, such as have been COM
mon of late in the homes of England,
wherein the parents play the part of the
apprchensiye hen, the daughter that of the
adventurous duckling. The duckling in
variably gains its point, and so it was
with Eva Norrington. Having refuted
argument and resisted persuasion for
certain number of weeks, Eva obtained
grudging consent to her departure. The
townspeople knew not whether to admire
or disapprove. But they had read in nov
els OF young ladies who took their lives
and their latchkeys into their own hands.
became famous and married respectfully
after all. So during the weeks of prcpara-
ton for her campaign Eva became some
thing of figure in local society, and more
than one dinner party was given in her
honor as well as plentiful advice as to the
necessary precautions against London
guile and many recipes for guarding
against the colds induced by the fogs that
infest the metropolis.
Eva was almost happy, for she had the
Of youth and beauty and all
the exhilafation of taking her life into her
hands and fashioning 1t as she would, with
none to raise objections to the process.
She would have been quite happy but for
Allan Craig, for Allan Craig, whenever no
heard that Eva was bent on going to Lon
don to make name for herself, promptly
offered her his own as substitute 1t |
was good enough name. and at the foot |
Of check it was generally respected, us |
Allan Craig had lately stepped into his ia.
In Of efpt,
Eva was disturbed, but she |
urned not aside from her project. She |
mad mapped out her life and Allan Craig |
vas not included in the scheme.
As she sat lingering her letter in her bed
'itting room she went over the parting |
Gene In her mind. The details of it would
'nly increase the delight of the letter, for
Eva had learned during the last year that
happiness is SO rare that it deserves to be
oiled ON the tongue and not swallowed in
taste. 1t was at dance on the night be-
orc her departure-her last dance, SO she
bought before she started life in earnest.
hey were sitting out dance together,
or Eva was not disposed to think unkiDd-
y OF Allan, though she might resent his
Intrusion into her scheme of life, She re.
rendered how there had been silence be-
ween them for some moments, how Allan
ad leaned his elbows on his knees and
ug the heel OF his dancing shoe into the
lrpet.
"And you are quite determined too
ave usf' said Allan.
"Of course, said Eva. my boxes are
] packed"
"Full of manuscript novels and thingsr"
"Onc novel and several stories"
II cannot understand why You want to
D when
II want to-wcll-to live larger life"
" You mean you want to live In bigger
lace2"
"Well-not exactly. don't think you
lite understand.
II quite understand that there Is not
Tough scope for you here and that am
selfish brute for trying to keep you from
ur ambition. Look here, Eva, can you
mostly say that you don't love me lit.
, bitS"
Allan had risen and was standing over
r. Eva looked up at him. She could
. him standing there now-big. comedy,
It'll something in his eyes that thrilled
r, half with fear and half with pleasure,
e rose and faced him
l shall be very sorry to leave you-yery
rry."
Then Why
Can't you sec, AllanP / know have
In me to do good work, and ! must be
Icre good work is wanted Here | am
mpered In London
You muy fail, " said Allan, with note
hope in his voice,
Il shall succeed. know shall.
viii you write to meY''
Eva hesitated. She was half inclined tn
We in to that extent Allan had mistak.
her hesitation.
NO." he said. "There shall be no self
hness in my love for you. I will wait S
lr from tonight, and then IL London is
no go, you know, there will always be I
D. You can't expect me to pray for your 9
ccess, can youT I
Eva, placed on her mettle, looked hira '
the face. G
] am bound to succeed" she said, and G
med to go. The waltz had ceased in 4
) room below and q rustic of skirts and +
ipple Of tongues had taken Its place. '
'Eva-once-th last time perhaps"
She turned again, laughing,
Quick" she said. "Some one will
ne. g.
woman may forget many things, but 3
e. a.. L a.