Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-11-23

Stlnt lie WAS on the point ol turning.
Then he recognized that there could be
ao'one following him and went on alone.
All, yes, that was the trouhle--he was
alone, But the leaf rustlcd again. and
this time it seemed as though some mos
sage Were being. blown after nina bit
ofistray paper, perhaps, on which there
might have been traced words of the
greatest import to him. He knew still
chat this too, was impossible, but he was
futsuch Il mood that he now stopped short
upon the sidewalk and looked around
: There indeed was the leaf, still tluttcr-
ing slightly, with one crisp indcutcd edge
grazing the inlaid bricks of the old foot
way. Then it became motionlcss and lay
at his feet.
Had not the passing gust of mir brought
it to him with something like II definite
purpose?
Quite mechanically he stopped and pick
ed it up. Any tritle that could occupy
his mind just now, even for Il few mo-
ments, would have been welcome, and
the leaf was beautiful. The upper half
of it, above the withercd pallor of the
rest seemed still to reflect the flush of a
lost October sunset in this cold, late night
OF November. He carried it along with
him, twjrling it occasionally by the stem,
without thinking of it again.
But hy the time he had come into his
own room in his mothers house and had
begun to look around, with the eye of Il
l., al,
jects which it contained he grow aware
of the leaf once more. He went ON look,
ing at the photographs along the mantel,
some small knickknackS on n bracket in
one corner, the papers on his table, the
books in their case. Then, crossing the
room, he selected one book, a volume Of
poems bound in faded green and gold,
placed the leaf carefully in between the
pages and laid it ON the table.
In Malvcrns mind another room was
framing itself, with different walls, col
ors and atmosphere, and so vivid he
came this inward imagining that he
could scarcely have told ut the moment
in which place he really was-thc room
called his own or the one he had lately
left, hut now seemed to see again so
clearly. Tho whole scene was being re-
enactcd-hrief, poignant, SCATTERING.
He did not find himself alone. Leila
Grey was sitting there opposite to him
in Il pale violet dress, with Il flexible
gold circlct lying lightly about her neck,
i'll a sort of careless pride. There was
something in her whole attitude that eX
hailed Il mood which this CLEAN of gold
merely acccutuNtcd rs she half recliacd
i'll the corner of Il couch where small
white fur lay beneath her arm. She APP
pcarcd to possess all that she desired for
the time being yet to be only playing
with it, and yet, thought Malvern, that
could not really be true.
"But how did it happcn?" she was
asking him. 'lIow could you do it?''
PAY so much attention to Miss Rren-
don?" he answered. FOR it was all actual
to him again ut this moment. and he
could hear the sound of his own voice.
THAT is what YOU mean, of course. But
l might ask you, How can you do such a
thing as to be jealous of hcr|"
jealous, Dick? Nonsense. Yes, that
is nonsense for engaged people like us.
If we ever were in the stage where that
would be possible, we ought to have
passed out OF it long before now, and
indeed you ought to understand me bet
ter"
well, I'll try to-" he said, as though
that would be quite easy.
1T isn't that | worry about her or
care about it myself" said Leila giving
the fur skin soothing touch, but
strengthening herself little. 1T is only
what others may think and say"
Its very magnanimous in you" Nal
vern laughed without a thought of harm,
Ito be so considerable of them. But I'm
not trying to please others-only you"
"Ah, that's right, Bot. as you feel SO.
then, of course, you ought to do what
wish"
certainly"
'-But you don't do it"
She rose now'and moved slowly toward
the long window that looked out upon a
spacious ga rden lying forsakcn and given
over to autumn.
NO" responded Malvern. half care
lessly, with feeling that something was
going wrong which he could not prevent.
He did not like his own tone, but it was
too late to change it. He had spoken
and his word was in the air.
mo" Leila repeated positively, turn
ing again to face him. He noticed that
4 CLEAN of sunshine was splashed along
the gray of the garden behind her, and in
another room at distance the bright
trill of canary seemed 10 answer the
sunshine.
Il have only one desire" he tried to
say, but Leila went right on:
Listen to me, Dick. Don't let us have
anything so vulgar as a dispute" NAL
vern felt, though, in looking back, that
she had made mistake in using that
phrase But trifies will often lead to
something serious especially with people
in our situation" She had habit OF
speaking with this air of large experience
and practical wisdom. and il usually i'm
pressed him, but did not do 50 in the
right way this time Now, | am going
to he serious" she continued "and about
TRIES, II you care - call them 50. IL
nay all seem very small and petty, but
you and | must 60 through the small
-hinrs Iafprp Wp can enter upon the