The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-18
THE PHOTOGRAPH.

OF June; but, though the period badc
fair to live forever i'll my memory, [
seemed 10 have been already II twelve
month back at work upon the evening
when [ found Dicks letter awaiting me
nj my lodgings:
My DEAR MoRTiMER-I am in town again at
last. Arrived last night. Come round and
smoke pipc-tonight if possible. I've n hun.
drcd things to tell you. Meanwhile, if you
will believe it, I'm engaged. Yours, DICK.
The news he told me was the pleas
ATTEST possible, for | also, to tell the
truth, had learned III my ten days free
dom how unenviablC are the liberties of
the mere bachelor. | remained free for
the present, but l nevertheless hoped to
follow his example before the year was
ont.
One can do Il good deal in ten days
indeed had fallen hopclessly i'll love
i'll less than that number of hours. But
felt 1t rather too much to ask that
Maud should have recognized and learn
cd to rcciprocrte my feelings i'll SO short
time, and SO l had not spoken All
the same, L knew that it would be IL
crushing disappointment to me if she
had not accomplished it. Her homo was
at Brighton, she once told me, and she
we'll knew my friends. the Moynclls.
For Maud could find no words to
express her. | put my hand into the
breast pocket of my coat and drew out
Il photograph. 1t was not II very good
likeness; the hair was not dressed in the
fashion which had become familiar to
me, and that fashion. OF u surety. was
the most charming that ever occurred
TO the mind OF ingenious woman. But
still the picture had enough of her to
he forlnc the most beautiful thing II
the world, save only her sweet SELF. /
had stolen it. She was stopping with
the Luttrclls, With whom | spent my
holiday at Sandybar. and Madge Lut-
trcll WAS Il great friend of mine. She
had detected on fOresccn my devotion to
Maud, | think, even before it revealed
itself TO me. At amy rate, knew she
would be discreet, and, trusting TO her
clcmency. had stolen the precious pho
tograph out OF her album upon the morn
ing when | left Sandybar.
| had soon finished the meal which
stccd ready for me and from which |
had been kept by Dick : note and by The
emotions resulting from its pcru,;;,l
Then | found my hat and stick and my
very largest pipe and set out across
London to Dicks rooms The place was
III darkness and untcnantcd when I Ell
tered, but | knew that he would not
fail ne and struck Il match to discover
If he had left Il note To tell me when he
would return. Back ut s. it road.
'McanWhilc, there : baCcv and Il HOW
Stevenson =
1t WAS now upon the stroke OF :, so [
lit the lamp, found Stevenson and pre-
pared to spend an hour pleasantly. The
time passed most happily. AT last laid
aside the book and filled my pipe.
walked across the room to take spill
from the mantclshclf and in moment
found myself gazing at the photograph
OF Maud Camcron-thc girl loved, the
girl L hoped to marry
1t was in Il frame of deliberately beaten
silver, already somewhat furnished by
tobacco smoke, and beyond doubt was
portrait of Dicks fiancec
1 turned away from the mantel-hcr
face looked forth upon me like II stran-
gers ont of that framc-and took my
copy of her photograph from my pocket
laid it upon the table i'll the full light
of the lamp. 1t had not all her beauty;
her lovclincss was half of everchanring
expression, and SO must needs escape
the camera. But still the picture gave
the lie to all the overwhelming evidence
which had crushed my faith in her. For
moment ] was content He might ac-
count himself master of her love; might.
if it pleased him, believe that no man
disputed with him the kingdom of her
heart. For Il moment, despite all evil
dcnce, believed that she was still true
to the unspoken fact between us, that
she could not betray me-
There was IL sudden sound of footsteps
on the stairs IL hand upon the door, and
even as 1 thrust back her photograph,
into my pocket the door opened and
Dick entered
Hope you've not had long To wait, -
he said. Il had to be ont for awhile -
81 Not long," L answered and now,
l suppose, | must congratulate you?'
Dick laughed. do you only suppose:
am the luckicst bcggar i'll the world.
But, never mind, you will sec her somc
day, and then You will speak differently.
You will envy me, madly, for i'll
decd But we'll wait until you have
met her Only promise you you may
safely venture your congratulations.
Here is her photograph, by the bye. Z
wrctchcdly bad one, but still not all un.
like.
He moved to the mantcl and handed
me her picture, incloscd in that abon-
Unable frame of his. took it from him,
and for a minute and more gazcd hard
upon her face.
1t is all trnc, / kept whispering tc
ntLx..nlE Civ. l,.l. I'M,