Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-02-02

dignified. gray-haired groom. Yes.
YOU will see them all again tonight.
but YOU need not look so pleased.
You will be Mrs. Stocton Gouvenier."
No one (nct even Jim {ard you know
he would dare a good deal in the old
days), will call you Miss Phyllis" to-
night.
Do You remember the night OF Mue.
Dyaire's bal?
You stood by Jim in The crush OF
the supper-room. try ing 20 eat an ice
how he whispered: "Do son know .
why you remind ne Of the first game
ever shot? Because YOU are such ?
--deari"
1t was n very poor pun. but you ,
laughed and dimpled. glancing mp at
him through your long. dark lnshes.
for you knew only too well you hao /
added another heart 10 your already /
outrageously long number Of devoted /
slaves. and YOU even smiled when you /
heard Miss Primly say. quite audib.S I
(as you passed out Of the room) /
Outrageous hirti Mr.. North. how
can you admire her?"
You will meet Jim tonight. and he
will mutter: "Delighted 10 see YOU,
Mrs. Gouvenier." and will cross 20 the
opposite side OF the room. where he
will look at You longirgly and bite
his mustache savagely. thinking how
selfish your husband is 20 forbid yoU
20 dance. because ne Is too old 20 find
| any pleasure in il himself.
They will all be there. the old
| friends. Ot seems much longer than
two months since YOU went abroad;
| have you missed them?
Did say "all2" 40. not ALL for
remember pale face. with such ear
| nest gray eyes.
He found more important things In
life than pleasures and dances. There
were so many poor 10 help. SO many III.
| SO much suffering and unhappines>. He
| took life too seriously. Jim hac said.
I do not see why your mouth should
| droop so at the corners. Don't do it,
Phyllis. il spoils Cupid's bow. Is
there still a pain in your heart when
! YOU think Of that poor boy? Well
don't do it. then; forget him; there are
so many YOU should be sorry for, and
it is rather late 10 begin now.
There is step on the stairs: how
quickly your face changes as YOU rec
ognize your husbands step. All the
life has died out OF il and IL has grown
cold and eXpressionless. You rise 20
meet him as he comes toward YOU
. Ny dear Phyllis. DO be careful
1t would never do for him to see your
face as il is now. such look Of long
ing has come into IL as the thought. 1t
} might have been so different if" goes
beating through your brain. But with
$ n master stroke of self-restraint, YOU
force a smile and lower the eyes that
5 are filling with tears so fast YOU dare
not trust them, and say with a hali
) laugh and a voice that is perhaps O
trifie unsteady: Don't look lovely
Is it time to go. dear?"
just then YOU are interrupted by tho
+, sharp noise OF door being shut vio
lently. Everything grows dim and con
fused. Your husband seems 10 grow
DINNER and DINNER until he fades
, away into the darkness; YOU rub youI
eyes and look with astonisment al ne
also have changed, from a stately
pier glass TO little oval mirror hang
!, ing over your desk. You look into IA,
with eyes that can hardly believe tn,
vision Of yourself that reflect. for in
stead of your Paris wedding gown yol
have on a dainty matinee jacket an,
; your hair falls in pretty confusion ovei
your shoulders. You stretch out YOU
hand 10 letter that lies before YOU OF
I your desk aud with a glance OF won
e der you read in your own penmanshil
Z these words:
f Washington, d. C., Jan. IS. 1900
L Dear Maj. Gouvenier: / have seri
e ously considered the question VOL
y asked me last evening. and feel mucl
honored that you should wish me q
n become your wife. If j can add 10 you
I, happiness by giving you the answc
4 you so much desired"
What is the matter?
el Why should you crush the letter b
d your hand and then tear il up an
Ie throw il into the waste paper basket
The confused look has left your face
r you are beginning 10 realize that afte
+ writing that letter this morning yo
N leaned back in that comfortable chai
and thought OF the great happines
IA that was in the future for you
- You imagined Yourself as wealth
"a woman. thinking OF the many delight
- ful things the majors" money coul
= DO for YOU.
II Gradually you grew drowsy. yo
n. leaned your head against the back c
,g your chair, your eyes closed-th
dream that followed did NOT Dicf,4re IA