The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-10
+Ci-o-so:o.osse
Y . y =, -.
4 HER()SAD.
BY ESTELLE BROOKS.
Observation-Disclosures.

iOuHSSdr IN the lDliS 1880
by ancient right. His eyes had dreams
in them; he nursed his right leg affection
ately in the way I knew so we'll ana
presently:
I'm a tidy sort of a fool, taking
things all around he burst out of sud
den. And he sat upright and looked as
though he had thrown g challenge to me
and to the world.
you shouldn't say that" said I. Self
depreciation is the worst thing possible in
these conceited days.
Il didn't come here to listen to your
tinpot epigrams,'' said Classy, fiercely.
1 was not offended. L flatter myself that
I have come to know Cassy-a little.
Very well, then Who is she?" 1 asked
him.
Cassy's lips moved, and I caught the
word before he spoke it aloud. Grace
- he said slowly. 'iIt's a fine name
for a girl. isn't it?', The last assertiveiy:
the challenge was in his tone again.
TT certainly wouldn't be much OF
name for boy" I suggested
he fired out anew at this, and | forced
myself into my old sympathetic MOOD.
And Classy, growing calmer:
did you ever read-do you ever read
childrens fairy tales. where everything
is right, and fits So easily into its place.
where the poor student comes always TO
the Princess with arms held out towards
her and a smile on his face? And if there
be any wicked people, they go away, or
die or get out of the thing somehow, SO
that they can work no mischief. And eV-
erything ends just as the poor student
lanG the Princess) desire, and they are
happy ever after?"
81 do read them sometimes.
There was a silence for a minute. Classy
stared hard into the fire, and a. tiny white
flame leaping up suddenly, showed
clear. troubled face.
81 sometimes think he said, chat it
is, q great pity that we cannot live in that
pleasant land of fairy tales. The kind
hearted gods of the fairyland seem 10
have got tired of having anything to do
with this narrow world Of ours. So, when
| cali now Che was applying his thought
10 his own particular .rouble) I am never
able to see her The old mans all right,
"a Their a jolly sort of chap altogether
But the mother hates me like poison
She comes into the room all smiling and
SAYS that Grace is out, or laid up with
slight attack of whatever illness happens
to be fashionable at the time. q give
her credit for being a clever woman; she
varies the complaint so neatly)- And then
we talk about the weather and the last
novel. and all the other nonsense, and
when / co. SO glad you called, Mr.. Cas-
sv.' and ] get out into the street. When
I turn the corner I ask myself why it is
not fairyland. and why l can't go back
with my faithful followers and carry her
in triumph from the house. They knew
the best way of ovng-ia those days.
IT would certainly have been the best
way for Classy. Classy and a few faith
full followers would clear any street on
earth in five minutes if they had set their
minds to it.
Yes always I reminded him. "the
poor student had many difficulties to con-
quer There were dark forests as well
as sunny roads to traverse before ne won
his love-
.He did not have Mrs. Hepworth-
Smith TO encounter said Classy.
But she may be won over in time
1 suggested.
Not by me- said Classy. 'I'm nobody
You don't know Grace. do you?" he ad
ded suddenly.
Its my misfortune I returned.
well, of course. then. You don't I'M
derstand. You can't possibly understand.
She's -"
.That'll do. I'll take Grace for grant
ed The point now is Mrs. Hepworth
smith and the utter indifference of the
once kind gods. You can't see her; you
want toto lei her know something?"
Yes said Classy, with elaboration. 81
think I do
Why don't You write then?''
Classy was aghast at my brilliant
thought :4e uncurled his knee and threw
himself back in the chair as a man who
has cast burden from his shoulders.
he said: Its great I never thought
about that for minute
I had assumed as interesting an ex-
preston as I could. but ] had not acted!
well enough: for. after poking the fire
vigorously in order to completely de-
liver himself of his burden, Classy made
apology:
I'm awfully sorry. coming round and
worrying you like this. But -"
TN always glad to be of service I re-
sponded feebly, marvelling at my master
stroke of cleverness. But what?"
"Oh, nothing, only. if you knew her
I'm sure you would understand"
And before he left that night we drank
very solemnly to the rout of Mrs. Hep
worth-Smith and the complete success of
the Knight Classy. Also he would not
be denied to clink his glass with mine TO
the Lady Grace.
.,How long is it since I saw you last?'
questioned Classy.
l reckoned back the evenings on my
fingers Classy was furlously impatient
He said quickly, Don't be all night
about it?''
/ looked at the calendar
Gust over q week"
"a week? 1t seems like a month"
why" / said, a little amazed, whats
the new Development
Il wrote said Classy, He slared at
me- Don't you hear me? I wrote
Yes" I said. and
ST wrote. he repeated for the third
time He leaned forward. He stared at
me as if to read a riddle. Then he re-
ceded into the chair again. disguised with
life. a long pause. I've had no answer,
J he finished rather Itleatrcally.
I was obviously expected to De the com
forter.
My dear fellow" said. DO you
think the lady had her mind ready made
UP for you? I supose-anl right?-it
was not q letter TO be answered off
hand
"offhand.'' said Classy with great
scorn. "A week. One-two-three-iive
six-seven days"
Sometimes letters go wrong in the
post ] said.
II was only straw, but Classy jumped
| at it. said Git was the only thing which
occurred to me, and it was not good:
.sWrite again.
He replied: