Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1897-11-27

f1PtctS k~- uon4S. t<s~c W tntnN c1s
some way 10 explain her delay TO the
poor. forlorn lady awaiting her.
Sara'~ spirits were at low ebb, and /
there was no prospect of their rising I
again for many n weary Gay. For two |
weeks il rained steadily. the canary
refused To sing. the chimney smoked, !
the pipes leaked, the plumbers struck,
and Sara. unable 20 get away from her
disturbing thoughts. settled with
praiseworthy diligence. She had told
herself many times before that IL was
easy 10 forget: but now. with little else
10 think of. she found il was only too
easy 10 remember. As she put things
away, or unpacked boxes. she was con
scioas OF trying 20 soothe queer,
constant pain by giving free rein 20
her memory. As she laid the sheets
on the linen shelf. she left with them
the remembrance of boat rides and
tennis games. OF drives and of dances;
and when she dropped - dinner plate
on the kitchen floor, II was because
she had come in the course of her
thinking, 20 wonder If. after all. Alan
was entirely 70 blame for the trouble
/ that had sent him back to the city SO
I soon.
Finally. the sun shone upon the
world again-weakly, T. be sure. but
still with enough strength to dry up
some Of the puddles on the front steps.
though il failed 20 bring into Sara's
eyes the light that formerly lurked
there. Like the little girl. Sara had
discovered that her doll was stuffed
with sawdust. and with the egoism Of
a pessimist she imagined u was the
only one ever fashioned in that wise.
On the first bright day Mr. Matt
land came home early TO take his wife
for a drive. and Sara. declining 20
join them, welcomed an opportunity
20 bc miserable bv herself She wan
dered about the house hstlessly for a
time. and then. sitting az her piano,
she walled out all the sentimental bal
lads IN her collection, until she came
20 one that Alan had spoiled for her
by his theatrical rendition II il In his
times of hilarity. She started 1t. but.
remembering his emotional stagger as
he sang Il 20 where honor calls me.
she gave 1t up. and, bringing both
hands down on the keys with bang.
cried "Oh. deari' In a mournful,
homesick wall that betokened the
nearness Of tears. Then. hearing
slight noise behind her. she abruptly
wheeled about on the piano stool and
faced Alan Slocum, with the quich
color flaming in her cheeks.
81 beg your pardon, he said. aud
2 Sara fancied he was trying not {,
! laugh. THE maid evidently though
you saw me-.
: Sara rose. my father Is not Z
= home, - she said distautly lis Their,
anything / can do for yoars
( AT what time will Mr.. Maitland re
- turn" Alan asked. looking at hi
watch.
t Possibly not FOR two hours" Sar
replied recklessly. "Will you com
in aud waltz"
/ Alan raised his eyebrows. 4 thin
not, he said. quietly ut j. hal
. past five now. will leave the leas
( with You. If you will be kind enoug
7 to give 1t 70 your father when he r.
< tarns."
j. Certainly. as soon as ne comes IN
q Sara took the formidable looking doe
u ment and bowed him out with a col
o Good evening. Mr. Jarvis" tai
4 froze poor Alan's boyish spi- &,
e Whatever he had intended 70 say Va
= LETT unsaid, aud he strobe away with
P swinging step and his head held big
% IN the air. If he had looked ssouu
3 and seen the miserable face w9schin
him from behind the curtain, hS woul
a have come back: but be didn't
There were many errands TO sc dor
+, in town that week, SO Sara urdertoo
them one bright morning, IL FREE
zied desire 10 be doing -.Jmethir
rather than 70 be longer In l-.neiy i'll
= ness. The express had some Wht
, she reached the station, so size leisure
! mounted the local stairs aud stroll,
along the platform, looking into Il
., cars for one whore she c0,Id be undi
turbed for the next horf The G
next the smoker held .. gay party
:, young people intent on an excursio
aud their laughter 30 jArred on Sara
loneliness that SIZE ..IIickened h
steps ~ the second r@r Here Il
;, I prospect was pleasant. with the exec
ton 81 three children racing up al
- down the aisle. - Sara passed on
- the last car which sac virtually IA,