The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-03
some time. deeply engaged in the compost
ton Of a poem beginning:

He meant 1t to be n sort of chef d'oeuvre
something that should startle the world.
and he wished he could find a friend who
was n painter and who would sketch him
her head as an Illustration of his words.
He turned away at last. sorrowful that
the painter was not at hand. II will re-
turn and take her down to supper" he
said: for, although n poet. he was also a
mortal. and knew the Importance OF sup
pers, especially those provided by the Red
mond menage. Therefore he made his he
roic and splendid resolve. And in the
meantime his poem should he evolved In
the conservatory without delay. He was
always q creature of impulse. And when
he retreated with his idea the first man he
met was the painter, whom he seized
breathlessly. George, why are you so late,
man? There is a woman here to-nlght-an
absolutely perfect creature-a vision. l am
writing a sonnet on her" b.
Lord George smiled indulgently.
"a peerless being hereT" he asked, with
an intonation which would have startled
Mrs. Redmond had she heard him.
Go on: you cannot fail to see her. Stand
where she will not see you; and. as you
love me, George. sketch her head and face
for me. there h q good fellow"
Lord George Mount-Eagle smiled again,
still more lndulgently.
cts a bad;thing to come into a title" he
said. gently. Il have not done a stroke Of
work since Mount-Eagle died.
Time you did, then" said the other, with
unpoetic brevity. Forge ahead. and don't
miss an amber corner and crimson roses"
Sounds vivid" remarked his friend.
ut is not" replied the poet. with a wave
of his long. delicate hand You cannot miss
her."
she is unique. them"
She Is here" which showed that both
men had the same opinion of their enter
tainers.
Then the poet stepped on one side and the
painter strolled on idly. looking for no one
In particular. but bent on evading obsarva-
ton, for just hen Miss Redmond had him
in range and he was intent on escaping.
Suddenly he came fun in view OF the am
Der corner" and his eyes lighted UP with
interest. The next moment he took a step
forward, and his voice was full Of emotion.
"Patricia!" he exclaimed. Who would
have thought it? 1 only found out your
address to-day at the San Salvador Gal
lery. l saw the picture. There was only
one there for me, and you-you were the
painter, Pat"
He drew UP a chair and seated himself
by her side. where have you hidden your
self all this whilee" he asked. an odd
rningiing of tenderness In his toice. "Bo
sou know / nav hunted every where fet
you? 1t Is good to see you, Pat:b
She was bending towards him new, her
face full Of light and happiness.
And l." she answered gayly, II Am de-
lighted to zee you. George; but you are .
great man in these days, are you notf"
"A III - 1a It'd -AA1. 10
in byplaces. that is all. But"-his hand
touched hers once more-'I have found
you. And these people are entertaining an
angel unawares.' i don't suppose they
know that Miss Stewart, the artist Of the
day. Is their guest"
oh. please George" she said, laying her
hand on his arm. please say nothing. 1t
is well that I came. but I do not want them
to know about my work; it will detraot
from their deed of charity"
His eye kindled.
Twas that -" He stopped in anger.
Yes. she said so, and it is true. I am .
very friendlesS being, George"
He drew himself up proudly.
mo- after to-day" he murmured, quickly.
Pat, I shall take carefof you. I shall see
that things go differently
Sic leaned back in her chair. her eyes
full of unshed tears: hut she did not under |
stand him in the least>He was a friend !
Rno npeIeu II VIII q large 'E'-anQ, on! l
she needed one so badly. Now that he had
come, she was hugely content. He was an
echo Of old days. of past Joys. of bygone
love.
II can close my eyes and fancy I am
back again In the olden times" she said. |
"Ohl George. how good those days werei"
There are as happy days In store,'' he
returned, sturdily. He thought, as John
Redmond had done. how wonderfully Tim
had dealt with her. The excitement of
meeting him had brought n little color into |
her face; her smile was bright. her manner
alert and quick.
Yes. she had altered. but the change was
for the better.
They wandered presently through the
oonservatories. and talked softly to each
other as they strolled between the benches
OF beautiful blossoms. And when the poet
came back, mindful Of his anxiety concern
Ing supper, he found an empty chair still
standing against the amber cushions. and
one crimson rose-leaf lying on the floor.
It had fallen when she left.
The poet felt a sudden spasm Of annoy
ance. He had almost perfected the poem,
and-sha was gone.
II do not know her NAME. nor who she
TO-" he murmured. modify, as he went to
make his farewell to Mrs. Redmond.
He wondered vaguely what had become Of
the painter, for he also had vanished. and
he went home disturbed in mind. But Miss
Redmond had no doubts on the subject.
IF you had. not been SO weak-minded,
mater,.N She told her mother. severely. the
next morning. .your friend. Miss Stewart,
would not have walked away with the best
man in the room. You forgot that she was
at an ago when life becomes a neck-or-noth-
ing race"
she has known George all her life." said
Mrs. Redmond in vindication. II daresay
they had many things to talk over, but If
you at once that you are mistaken. Lord
George Mount-Eagle is not so foolish"
"But I do mean something Serious and,
what Is more. the man means 1t, too. You
have played your cards badly. mater"
This is not pleasant hearing for q pru.
dent mother. even although the speaker
may be a remarkably prudent daughter.'
And Miss Redmond was not very wrong,
for Patricia had soon found out what Lord
George had meant, and the knowledge SUI.
pr1sed her.
'There are many more attractive beings
IN the world she told him gently. But
her heart futtered strangely when he re-
Piled that these were nothing to him.
II made my choice long ago." he said,
frankly; land, though 1 was disappointed.
I waited, and most things como to those
who know how to wait"
Hc loved her; he had always loved her.
And she2 She felt as IL she had suddenly
awakened from a dream; and 10! It was
As when warm sunshine thrills
Wood CLEANS to gold. and into all the decps
A tender whisper pierced.