Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-02-03
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN


 Dolce far niente-a sweet doing nothing. l shall pin that to the cata- iiogue of memory's pictures painted
 She looked up at him and laughed Their eyes met, then parted, and q vague sense of anticipated loss came to him with the realization of her de, parture.
 You will forget all this. As for me, 1 will only be one more in your col lection" he smiled, evidently will ing victim.
 "Colleetion-of sticks?n she interro- gated laughingly.
 You are unkind," he protested.
 You think, then, my remembrance of a charming Winter, like pricked bubbles, will vanish into spaceT
 Her face flushed and q shadow deep ened her brown eyes. She caught her breath as she crushed the 1aees of her gown against her side then she went on:
 We've seen each other every day, Ii only for a few moments, during nearly two months, meeting with per feet franlIness and, l thought, frlend- ship. If it has all been insincere, l shall forget"
 ''lnsineereY' "You have made me care too much. But in the North there will be other interests in your life, crowding ne out, until 1 shall fade into the dim corridors of the past.
 She noted the square, strong chin and mouth and the little wrinkles that caught around the smiling eyes. He could thus lightly toss aside the reeol- lection of drives, of wheeling down shaded country roads which were, he had said, like a benediction," and the evenings when he sang with delicate insinuation and emphasis about you dear,' and love" All these thoughts pricked her mind. If she could only forget him!
 Really, you seem most insistent to become merely pelka-dot in my mem- ory. Don't you think, even then, l could always spot your
 Jest if you must; but stay, ah, stay, fair lady, on this perfect day! prom ise to do anything-say anything, if you will not go.,
 You wax quite poetieal," she said, sweetly. ''There is the silver moon for the second verse;"
 Thanks for the suggestion stifIly.
 Come; my hostess will think l am lost"
 When a woman will, she will"
 He reluctantly followed. They walk ed home through the spicy, fragrant pines, whose melancholy soughing fill ed them both with an undeffned sad ness.
 "This must be good-by. leave on the early train tomorrow, and never see people at the station. It makes me blue"
 She stood on the steps with one hand extended. Looking up at the little re- bellious curls blown about under the wide. black hat, he felt an irresistible desire to touch them, but only raised her hand to his lips.
 "Auf wiedersehn. You have given me many happy days, and shall al- ways think of you in this lavender gown. the violets of these saucy, nod ding feathers-just as you stand. You will surely come back-to us?' ! "Perhaps."
 Smiling bravely, she went wearily up the steps, then paused. Taking few of the violets, she kissed them, and turning. called to him. He came back. Somewhat confused, she pinned them on his coat.
 "They really belong to you," she ex- plained.
 The moon was hidden, and he could not see how pale she had grown. Go ing to her room she took down photo graph, softly whispering: "To have loved and lostp' Both hands suddenly pressed against her throat, and the tears blindly unheeded as she sob- bed on.
 He knew he would miss her. She had been so jolly; always ready for dance or a ride; knowing his favorite music and songs Now that was all over. Rummaging through his desk he finally found a little package of notes. Leaning back in his chair, he carefully removed the elastic around them and leisureIy read over the lines. Out from the sheets of one futtered a withered violet. It fell unnoticed to the floor. In another he found tiny spray of iessamine. She had worn a great bunch of 1t one night. These few he had begged for and had been denied until the next morning, when his re- quest was granted with q few penitent words. They had been at the opera, and under the magic of the music he looked into her eyes, startled by their deep intensity. He could see them now. How really dear she was! An, well, she would come again.
 He replaced the notes, struck a match. carefully held it to cigar, and unfolded the evening paper.
 r11~oIr Caa a pofenu