The daily sentinel., 1899-01-05
IN A TOMATO HOUSE.

A white shawl was wrapped around hef
lad. making her face look very childlike.
An utter listlessDess was In every line Of
her unbeautiful figure as she sat On the
log stool In the tomato house.
He came in 90 quietly that sho did not
notice his entrance. He WAS used to com.
ing and going when he liked and under.
stood the peculiarities Of the stin old lonk.
Thus he saw her a. she really was, not
a. she would be II she knew that the eyes
Of . spectator were upon her-saw the
true nature in all its naked transparency,
freed from the cramping. oumberson vest.
ments of coventionality.
de had seen her hundreds of times. ever
oince she was 10 years old. Now she WAS
one and twenty.
He had followed every stage in her de-
velopment, watched every unfolding OF
her mental powers, noticed every budding
tendency and predicted Its blossominR into
action.
He had nattered 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
strength that made him shiver when he
felt 1t and wrung from him the ory Of In
stiuotive masculine distasts:
The sweet. unselfsh sympathy and
ready. eager interest be knew 10 well and
had grown TO look for a. q matter Of
course. where were theyi
The deep, unfathomabl smile Of chose
dark, luminous eyes-that was not reve
lation Of feeling, hut SCREEN. Gone.
The quick slertness that spoke of fieruely
burning vitality departed utterly.
Her profile he had told himself over and
over again, was too heavy. WHAT IL
was almost transparent in the deiicaoy Of
its outline.
Her mouth was too nrm. Firmi IL
trembied with weary. hopeless, down.
ward curve.
Her hair was dark and lusterlesa and
straight. Unlovely quite,
1t clung to u head that WAS wonderfully
nodded and poired, throwing out the ut.
ter whiteness Of a akin 20 fine tho. the
purple blood veins showed plainly under.
meath.
She put her hand up wearily to smooth
back stray strand of hair. The move
mont, slight as 1t was, brought pink
dush to her cheek, her hand fell. She was
conscious Of no change.
But be was. For nine years he had
known, admired, esteemed, revered, con.
suited, scolded, chaffed and tortured her
What her splendid honesty, her wonder
full clear siehtedness her intellectual face,
her absolute unaf1ec: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 a.
the knowledge came upon him he gave a
deep, long drawn gasp, that was half won
der. half JOY.
She stirred sliehtly, raised her heavy,
fringed lids and their eyes mes.
His WAS full Of light, but they drew no
answering 6ssh from hers.
Perhaps hs never noticed that. II he
did. 1t caussd him no nneasincss
He sat down Beside her on the old log.
and because be was impetuons ny nature
and never waited for a favorable season,
but acted az the impulse urged him, and
because he was too truthful ia auften the
edges Of fsct or clOtha II In more words
than decency, hs looked Mt her and said in
tones thut were InODOtonuus from restrain.
ed emotion.
"Annie, l love you.''
For II iEomont she made no sian 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 1t all, unchanged, unmovet.
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 outtf ,ne
in truthfulness, she answ cred;
"Yes, did once. do now
- - ..,., - l.
Of her sunlit eyes and the sound Of her un-
moved voice.
tered, Then why do you act 30 straugelyS"
She stopped down and slowly loosened a
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.
If that had grown all ita life in tn.
dark, what would 1t have been likef' she
asked.
"white and we,k and puny and nearly
hfeless, !" he answered. still wondering.
"Yes," she said, with her strange, be-
wildefing smile II am like that. MY
love grew in the dark eight years. 1t 10
white and feeble now
"The plan, would grow green II put in
the light. IL isn't too late even now," he
pleaded. 1.-The power Ia there and the sun
shine 10 ready and warm
"Yes, 1t Ia there" ahe answered, but
from darkness to fierce sunlight, what
happens! short struggle, quick death. -
Ny darling! This 10 nonsensei" he
eried, taking her in his arms. II have
been q mad fool, the past il gone and moth