The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-06

Outside the December evening was
closing in with grimy rain and heavy
swirls OF mist that drifted up Nortbum-
berland avenue from the river But
within the Metropole Hotel was a blaze
OF light and color and was merry with
the babble OF voices and light laughter OF
women.
In q small sitting room on the second
floor it was de!iciously warm and fraRaDt.
A huge fire leaped and cracked on
the hearth. the soft radiance of the cleo
tric light sbone like spring sunshine. and
bouquet OF pale double violets yielded
sweetest incense to the woman near whoss
elbow they stood. She was q verv lovely
woman beautiful with the gentle fraRility
OF q white lily. with eyes like tremuious
stars, and soft yellow hair fluffed into "a
shimmering areo,e about her small. deli
cate face. Her mouth was fashioned with
plaintive droop at either corner, but just
now 10 was parted with happy smiles and
happier sighs.
With hands that were as small and
transparent "a rose leaves she pushed
aside pile OF foreign guides, maps. time
tables and writing materials that lay on
the liable bfore her, and then nestled back
luxuriously in her chair.
An, finished at last What a perfect
tour We have mapped out. and oh, Dick.
how divinely happy we shall bs.
The man who was sitting at her side
bent down aud kissed her in that dainty
hollow of her neck just where tho pink
curves OF her ear were shadowed by rings
OF golden hair.
Darling" he murmured, pass ionatoy,
"if love Gni truth and teDderness can
make you happy. God knows you will
he 30. -"
His warm breath stirring in her hair
his passionate words creeping to her heart
thrilled the woman with emotion. She
turned in her low chair until she faced
him and took his hands-so big and
brave and strong-in her own slender fin
gers.
"Diok. she said, the laughter leaving
her lips and bright tears growing In her
ewes. my dear love. the thought OF our
future, which is to begin so soon now,
almost makes me afraid. You seq, dear,
happiness-even kindness-and have al
ways baen such strangers that feel ner-
vous. shy. absurdly apprehepsive, Just as
though L were really about TO 10 intro
duced to some one l didn't know.
Happiness is the best friend and the
easiest one TO get along with of anyone
Know" laughed Dick Meynell, kissing
the little fingers that clung around his
own. believe me. my child, you and
she will be inseparable Dals directly.
Sut YOU are trembling. Lydia. Let me
pus1 your chair round TO the fire. We've
bsd enough Of Bradshaw and Baedekcr
.or TO-DAY"
But before sho would leave the table
Lydia sought among the scattered papers
till. finding what she wanted, she folded
IL iuto the palm of her hand and passed
over 10 the fire.
like 10 keep on looking at the list OF
places we are going to-" she explained
with a little smile. rs she sank into her
seat. 1t makes our honeymoon seem
nearer
Then as Dick Meynell pulled over a
chair for himself size spread tho slip OF
paper on her knees and slowly passed one
finger down the line OF words.
"Pa Is. Nice, Naples. Rome and then
Cairo and the Nile. Then in tho spring
time back TO Venice. and In the summer,
past Italy's blue lakes away to Switzer-
land. Afterwards. when the autumn
comes. back 30 Meynell Hurst, your home,
our home. where VIC shall be like the
people in old fashioned story books, and
live happy ever after.
please God. my darling" muttered
MeynelI. under his moustache.
"Dick," she said. irreievantiy. "do
.sou think 1t awfuiy wicked OF me To
want to be happy. Not want in casual
fashion, you know. but crave, desire,
yearn for happiness with every throb ot
INV heart and nerve of my body.
1 wonder If it's very wrong?'
And he. remem bering the tragedy Of
Der past life on which even at that mo-
.nent the curtain was just falling, smiled
tenderlv as he said:
Lydia, you cannot possibly wish for
ali the happiness that is owed you.
She did not answer directly. but lifting
the piece OF paper from her lap she
scanned it with drawn brows and puck
cred mouth. Presently she dropped it
with sigh.
"Dick, II could be happy absolutely.
entirely happy. Just for so long as our
Journeylngs are to last. | think i could
uie content Oh don't look so shocked "
she cried, stretching pretty pleading
hards out to him. II do not want 10
die. but am afraid to wish To live All
dearest, you would understand me better
# you knew what the word life has
meant TO me. ~
She rose from her seat. and crossing
tho fur rug sank down at Dick Meynell's
feet and pillowed her fair head on his knee
Il want to tell you, Dick. for the first
Sime, for the last time. what my life has
been to me. Do not stop me. l feel /
must speak Of it before / bury 1t out of
wight, Of remem brance forever
She took his hand in hers, and as she
spoke on, patted and sinoothed and kissed
IL, as loving women will.
81 was unwelcome when / was born.