The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1899-06-01
THE DAFFODlLS.

Fl lodgings aud had endeavOred TO
4 L make the bare. cherries rooms
little more home like, but, though the
photographs were scattered about, his
pipcrack nailed over the mantei shelf.
surlnonnicd by i neat and effective Dor
der Of unpaid bills, sundry wrils, and
County Court notices. he was yet I'M
satisfied with Ire general effect
or course, there was vast difference
between the luxurious quarters in Muir
ray Hill which he had Just vacated and
these small. sitting rooms, with their
cheap horsehair furniture. but he was
somewhat of philosopher, and his
motto was to 20 with the tide.
This time, however. the current had
been too strong. and he found himself
at last stranded with Il bcggarly allow
ance of thousand year, the last rem
nant of the handsome fortune that had
once been his.
The fault was entirely his own. He
frankly admitted 1t, though most men
an who was the primary cause of it all;
but he did not condemn her.
He also had been TO blame. She was
poor, and he made love TO her under
false colors had led her to believe he
was poor government clerk Mt sal
airy of 800 year. His object at first
had been purely of his own amusement.
but she was not the kind of woman fit
ted TO be a mans plaything, and the
game had ended in deadly earnest.
Therefore, Il was with some trepida-
ton that he hnd written confessing
that which he had concealed from her,
and asking her 10 marry him. He was
scarcely prepared however,, for the
curt reply that came: Il am going away
to-day. Good-by."
Mechanically he opened the drawer
of the writing table by which he stood.
1t was full of papers and little woman
ly trihes, evidently the property of the
former occupant of the room. Unc0n-
sciously he commenced 10 read the
paper in his hand-thc writing was
blurred and irregular, rs though writ
ten by some one in illhealth.
w ny W. AiiiisR VI aOh Ab-hNt ~
seems as though you must be near, or
is 1t because it is sprlngtlme, and my
room is full of yellow daf1odils? | am
writing a letter to you, one that you
will never receive--for all | know you
may be dead or-eyen married. 1t does
not seem so long since we met, though
know it Is years ago. | wonder II you
would be glad 10 know that today
am thinking of yon--that out of the
desolate gray comes vague, sweet
dream that brings you near to me. To
morrow il will be winter again-winter
in my heart-and shall tear up this
letter; but to-day the dreariness has
faded. There is no touch of scorn to
freeze my heart, no kisses cold as death
10 chill my lips-no silence that aches
round me with its worthless pain. Z"
l hear the whisper of spring that
breathes of hope, | feel the touch of
cllnginG hands-your hair against my
cheek-whoia might not know were
to meet you now-do you doubt my
love, that you let me go out of your life
without word or sign that you
cared"
Here the writing terminated abrupt
ly. The reader stood rs in dream,
staring straight before him into the
dingy street. Her handwriting. II was
as though a ghost had risen to confront
him.
A knock at the door aroused him from
his stupor, and the landlady hustled in
with the tea tray; her quick eyes
caught sight of the open drawer. GOOD
laws, / meant TO clear that out, slrr
she exclaimed, but the poor young
lady being taken away so sudden like
clean drove 1t out of my head"
Isis she deadY he faltcred. 4
deadly fear had taken possession OF
Tim, his face paled to an ashen hue.
"Lor', 10, leastways not yet" salt
the good woman, cheerfully. II went L
see her last week at the 'orspital. bu
the doctors don't give any hope of hel
gcttin' better"
AS she spoke she swept the contents
of the drawer into her apron. and h,
WINGED at the sigh;-to him it SCENE,
like desceration, and his hand close,
conyulsvely on the letter lie held.
(which hospital was she taken toy
he asked, stcadying his voice with al
effort.
THE one just round In the square
SIR" answered the woman. Then, i
hurried apology: You'll be wantr
your tea, sir; you look tired
AS the door closed on her portly forl
he dropped his head in his hand'
GOOD God" he groaned, "a whol
week has passed: she may be dead"
1t was visiting day at the hosplta
the ward was bright with spring flow
crs. and brighter faces lit up by tina
pathetic. wistful expectancy character
istlc Of the sick. There was an cage
hum of voices. too. hushed OCCASIONAL
by IN admonlshing word from Ill
nurse in charge. In the same ware
rallied off by curtaincd screen froi
the other patients, girl lay asleep y
visitor ever came for her save the do
TOR. and sometimes this woman wher
abe had once lodged, but the nurse !