Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-06-02
in DIVIDED PATHS.


white slippered feet resting on the fender
of the fireplace. There was perplexod, far
away look on her face She was evidently
in deep thought over some unpleasant mat
ter. Her hands wese loosely oiasped and
hung lstlessly down before her, resting
upon the soft white folds OF the girlish even
ing dress that she wore. The only light in
the room came from single gas jet in the
chandelier, and it was only half flame at
that. 1t was enough, however, to bring out
the red gold of her hair, which shone almost
as bright as the flame itself. The room in
which she stood was furnished in that pc
culiar style which suggests The traveller.
Rugs aud brica-brac from all parts of the
world were scattered around in delightful
and artistic confusion.
Her reyere was evidently a deep one, for
sharp ring at the doorbell failed to arouse
her A few moments later youth entered
the room. lie was apparently nineteen or
twenty years Of age, probably year her
senior. lie also was in evening attire. The
silence was unbroken for a moment OF two.
Then she suddenly became aware that
pair of eyes were fixed upon her.
"Why, when did you come in, John p she
exclaimed, going forward to meet him.
"Just this moment" be answered, "but
you were soaring away so far in the realms
Of thought that you did not notice my en-
trance. OF what were you thinking just
now, Marian" he asked.
90, John, haven't you heard the newsg
Bat of course you have not How silly of
me to ask Why we-that is, mamma and
myself - are to leave in few days for
| England. Isn't it too bad? l declare,
think it is simply awful for was just begin
ming TO feel at home"
you don't mean to say that you are 60
| ing right back to England? Why, Marian,
you haven't been at home two months.
Surely you are joking, for it seems impos-
sible"
mo, no; I am not joking. o, only wish
/ that was. To some girls the idea of trav-
cling abroad would be actual bliss. But as
for me l hate the idea OF it. just think!
Ever since | have been able to appreciate a
home, l cannot remember having had one
It is true look on this as home; but have
spent so little time here l can hardly call it
such Ny whole life has been spent in jour
neying around this blessed globe of ours.
have been dragged across countless coun-
tries, until the mere idea Of travel makes me
miserable Papa, You know, was to join US
next month here in New York, and'we were
to hive here for awhile; but something has
happened to cause him TO change his plans,
and SO mamma and are 60 60 back and meet
him Ia London. The fates alone know where
or what next. VIII you miss me, JohnY'
she asked. archly.
|. They were young and much in love, and
), therefore said some foolish things. Later,
/, Marian drew her wraps about her, and the
r two. laughing and talking and making plans
], for the future, went out into the night.
, Two days later, on the deck of an ocean
steamer stood the girl by her mothers side,
waving a last farewell to her friends on
shore Apart from the crowd and well in
view Of the girl stood the boy waving his
handkerchief to her Both were smiling
though there were tears in the eyes Of the
girl and the boy felt great hump in bis
throat. And so the two strained their eyes
watching each other until the forms OF both
had been blurred in the distance.
For time the letters were regular, both
writing always Of undying love. But as thS
I months passed the letters became less
regular in their arrival and departure, al
! though the protestations of affection neyel
waned, and thea they stopped altogether
Tho love Of a summer was forgotten th'
paths hcucelorth led ia different directions
Z and neither heart was broken.
Il am sorry, madam" thenurso said, DEF
ercntially, but firmly, "but I cannot permi
you to see him. My instructions from th
i doctor were that under no circumstance
= should he be disturbed until the arrival o
his wife, who will be here almost at any mo
ment. lie has only a short while to live
r. and no must be saved until she comes
"a 80, bus must see him. the woman in
:. sisted: "if it is only for a moment. 1t wa
,, my child he saved, and 1 feel that l mus
see him. DO let me, please, just for me
n ment"
IA The appeal was piteous and the nurse way
ersd.
1T must be for only second and yo
81 must be careful not TO disturb him." sh
o said.
The woman passed in, and went towar
IA the bed. Her tread was noiseless, but ther
j. was fsou frou OF silk and feminine draper
les that reached the ear Of the wounded mar
lie half smiled with closed eyes as he hear
it. The sound seemed 20 give him pleasure
yet he failed to realize its source. There
something about the swish Of a woman
dress that causes an undehnable thrill {
. pleasure in the mind of man. So it wa
~ now with the man on the bed. The woma
y, crept up 90 the bedside. The mans back va
- turned toward her.
She gazed down at him with a mingle
look Of pity, gratitude and sorrow. One
his hands lay listlossly at his side and as sl
Dl leaned over him she lifted it almost uncoi
u sciously in her two dainty ones. With a sol
Y. caress. more as one would stroke a big Ney
il foundland dog, she said, in q low toni
by Poor fellow, poor fellow"
It was so low that it was unheard by Il
nurse. who was standing near preparing
dose Of medicine II aroused the man, hoy
n, ever, from the. torpor into which he ha
'e fallen. lie half turned his head upon q
ot pillow, and slowly opened his eyes an
70, looked up at the woman. She looked irigh
sr ened and bewildered. She had not meant
Ii- awaken him, and the gaze Of his big brow
eyes somewhat Hurried her
She got no further. During the few wort
uttered in a nervous formal tone the nur
ne had been gcsticulating wildly to her fro
no across the bed but she paid no heed to he
he There WIS a stIuge light in the mans cy
NJ that had caused her 20 pause SO suddenl
'ol Il was recognition His lips labored for
M moment; then speech came 90 him.