The daily sentinel., 1899-10-03
IN A TOMATO HOUSE.


head, making her face look very ohildlike.
An utter listlessness was in every line Of
her unbeautiful figure as she sat ON the
log stool in the tomato house.
He came in SO quietly that she did not
notice his entrance. He was used to COM
ing and going when he liked and under
stood the peculiarities Of the stiff old lock.
Thus he saw her as she really was, not
~ she would be II she knew that the eyes
Of q spectator were upon her-saw the
true nature in all its naked transparency,
freed from the cramping, cumberson vest.
ments of coventionality.
He had seen her hundreds of times, ever
since she was 12 years old. Now she was
one and twenty.
He had followed ,very stage in her de
velopment, watched every unfolding Of
her mental powers, noticed every budding
tendency and predicted its blossoming into
action.
He had fattered himself he knew her
Now 1t was proved to him that he did not.
In the frail, dropping heap before him
he could not recognize his friend and critic,
calm, intellectual and strong, with a
strength that made him shiver when he
felt 1t and wrung from him the CRY of In.
stinctive masculine distaste:
''Strongr Yes, too strong for a woman"
The sweet. unself1sh sympathy and
ready. eager interest he knew 80 we'll and
had grown to look for as a matter OF
course. where were theyf
The deep, unfathomable smile of thoss
dark, luminous eyes-that was not a reve
lation of feeling, hut a screen. Gonel
The quick alertness that spoke of fercely
burning vitality departed utterly.
Her profile, he had told himself over and
over again, was too heavy. Whatp 1t
was almost transparent in the delicacy OF
its outline.
Her mouth was too firm. Firmi II
trembled with weary, hopeless, down.
ward curve.
Her hair was dark and lusterless and
straight. Unlovely quite.
1t clung to head that was wonderfully
nodded and poised, throwing out the ut
ter whiteness of skin so fine tha- the
purple blood veins showed plainly under.
meath.
She put her hand up wearily to smooth
back stray strand of hair. The move
ment. slight as it was, brought pink
flush to her cheek, her hand fell. She was
conscious of no change.
But he was For nine years he had
known, admired, esteemed, revered. CON
suited. scolded, chafred and tortured her
What her splendid honesty, her wondee.
full clear siehteGness, her intellectual face
her absolute unaffeo.edness, her pure soul,
her deep sympathy could never do that
glance Of womanly weakness did.
He loved her.
Till then he had held his breath, but az
the knowledge came upon him he gave q
Deep long drawn gasp, that was half won.
der, half joy.
She stirred slightly, raised her heavy,
fringed lids and their eyes met.
His was full of light, but they drew M
answering fash from hers.
Perhaps he never noticed that II he
did, 1t caused him no uneasiness.
He sat down beside her on the old log,
and because be was impetuous by nature
and never waited for a favorable season,
but acted as the impulse urged him, and
because he was too truthful to soften the
edges of fact or clothe 1t In more words
than decency, he looked at her and said in
tones chat were monotonous from restrain.
ed emotion:
"Annie, love you"
For moment she made NO sign Of
movement, gave no hint that she had
heard or understood.
Then she calmly looked at him and said :
II am very sorry"
Out burst the full flood of horror stricken
protest, fervent vows and humble prayers
She heard it oil, unchanged, unmo.ed.
He begged, he coaxed, he commanded
He failed to arouse her.
Then love made him wise, and he said
calmly and confidently:
"You loved me once know you did. ="
The blood rushed to her cheeks and brow
In crimson tide. Then, not to be outdona
In truthfulness, she answered:
"Yes, did once. do now"
His cry Of joy was checked by the sight
Of her sunlit eyes and the sound Of her un-
moved voice.
He felt chill seize his heart. He fall
tered, "Then why do you act SO strangely"
She stopped down and slowly loosened
tomato plant from the box Of seedlings by
her side, drawing 1t out root and all, and
she held 1t in the hollow Of her hand.
He watched her in silent wonder.
"h that had grown all its life in tn,
dark, what would it have been likep' she
asked.
"White and weak and puny and nearly
Mfeless," he answered, still wondering.
Eyes, she said, with her strange, be.
wildering SMILE II am like that. Ny
love grew in the dark eight years. 1t Ia
white and feeble now"
1.-THE plant would grow green II put In
the light. 1t isn't too late even now," he
pleaded. "The power is there and the sun.
shine is ready and warm"
Eyes, 1t Is there, " she answered, "but
from darkness to fierce sunlight, what
happensF A short struggle, quick death.
My darling This is nonsensei" he
cried, taking her in his arms. 81 have
heen a mad fool the at 90 r,oyo nj 9th