The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1901-12-27

fore his Illness. he had seen Boston
newspaper which mentioned her as beng
present at some social function at the
Hub, and she was still unmarried. He
had dared hope little then. If the Big
Penny should turn out well. She had
loved him once, and she was still unmar-
ried. Buzz now
He groaned aloud and his quivering
lips whispered brokenly:
"Marvia Marvia"
1t was Christmas eve. Chinatown was
all ablaze with light The glare of the
electric lights mingled with the more
subdued light Of innumerablc Chinese Ian
terms presented striking. fantastic scene
as quaint and novel to unaccustomed
eyes as il was picturesque.
A gay party of Eastern tourists visit
! ing San Francisco were stunning in
Chinatown.
"Oh. Marvia. do look at that odd little
mite OF humanity" cried a brght-faced
girl as toddlng Chinese baby. gorgeous
in magnificent attire. was led past by his
proud mother.
A tall woman wrapped in silks and fur
turned with swift smile at the impetu
GUS exclamation and said in a sweet,
well-modulated voice:
'Ie Is an odd little mite, certainly"
At her words a man. shabby to the last
degree, standing in the shadow OF the
Chinese theater, started suddenly and
leaned forward The light fell full upon
his white face and emaciated form. He
trembed violently and invountarily
stretched out his hand A passionate
hunger burned in his sunken eyes. Sud
denly he withdrew his hand and shrank
/ int, ha cha
ed with pain.
"Marv;aw he whispered. but it was
only a whisper.
What is it. Marvia? You look as if
you had seen a ghost cried the bright
faced girl in astonshment.
But Marvia Belknap did not heed the
question. Her eyes were dark with ex-
citemert and her face white to the lips.
She pushed her friends hand aside and
stepped within the shadow OF the thea
ter.
Philip she cried in a low voice.
But che man who had stood there but
a moment before had vanished.
Philir Bronson dragged himself wear
lily up she rickety stairs to his wretched,
comfor'less room. A week before he had
drifted aimlessly to San Francisco. whore
relapse OF his illness had taken his lit
tie remaining strength and money. And
tonight he had looked into heaven-one
hrief look, and then, like the brave man
that he was, he had turned resolutely
away f,om it. He had not heard that
cry, he nad not seen the tenderness in the
eyes of 'he only woman he had ever loved.
He had only seen her in her beauty, pros
porous, 5appy and beloved, while he was
an outcast
How long and steep the stairs were,
He clrioed on YEARLY, hopeless look
in his rres. His face was set and pitt
full. Hn entered his room and threw him
SELF on the bed. Suddenly he gave a
mirthlens laugh.
1T il Bronson's luck again he NUT
tered. end fell into weak sobbing-the
sobs of a heart-broken man.
lie did not hear the steps on the stairs
nor the sound of low voices outside, MOI
did he know that the door was pushed
softly open He did not hear the rustic
of silken garments on the bare floor, a.
woman with the divine compassion o.
angels IN her face, and a great light o
love shining in her eyes, crossed the room
\ moment later she was on her knee
by the red.
| "Philpr she whispered.
| He started and turned in amaZement
| Ills ld'e WoIheu plltouSiN. anu Il CT.
! broke from him, a cry of love- humilia
ton. shame and longing
!, "Marvia! II saw you-I could no
stay"
y He broke off suddenly, the tears role
u down his shrunken face.
She took his hand and held it tightly.
" world of tenderness and reproach in he
=, eyes.
T. How could you run away from M
Philip? Did you not know | would 70
low YOU? Why have you not above
me to know where you were-that yo
y were in and in trouble? Why did yo
give me back my freedom? l did nC
ask for it,"
Up IL failed in everything, Marvia," h
L said chukingly. Il was always in har
1, luck. | had nothing to offer you. | al
III a hopeless failure. But-thank~ heaven
r l have seen you once more Marvia-an
Il now, deur. | thank you for coming, bl
=, I cannot accept your pity"
III She bent over him suddenly. and pu
u ting her arms about him. drew his hea
u to her Sreast.
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