The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-20
HE AND SHE


all about that bit OF drama. one
or two perhaps still remembered
1t for the same reason that light
fingers longest at the highest points.
Six or seven years ago village goesips
had wagged their heads. declaring that
is was certain to come about. But 1t
never had. None knew the reason
why. The two had appeared to be all
the world to each other had driftcd
apart without apparent plunge of part
ing; had gone on living in the same
tUwn-she as a doctor. he az lawyer.
Somebody down at the corner had
struck oil, and the little crossroads
village had leaped in a night to a place
of Importance to railroads and capital
lists.
They We're no longer poor. Her prac-
tice was large. her coupe elegant, her
horse model of it's breed. His clients
came to him in richly appointed car
riagcs behind housekeeping, long-tail-
ed horses. The library behind his Of
flee was all that book lovers heart
could yearn for. In brief. they were
| prosperous and much envied. When
they met his perfectly Gloved hand
swept up to his faultless hat: her chin
sunk into her costly furs. For years
Nl'S lldu lloJ ltDhtu llll' tdCIl bllltl >
eyes. And why? One evening. seven
years ago, when she was IL poorly paid
school teacher and he a struggling
| young clerk, he had gone to her har-
assed by overwork and failure. Her
| dog had sprung to meet him, soiling
with It's muddy paws the only reepecta-
bic looking pair of pants that he pos
sessed. and he had retaliated with a
! cuN baI 10
its mistress with a piteous. half-sup-
pressed whimper, and she had shown
! her lover the door.
Snce then they bowed when they
met. No reconciliation had been at
tempted. Perhaps both felt that mat
ters We're better so believing that with
little care the human heart could be
trained to attend strictly to its blood
pumping job. Love is an expensive
luxury. They looked prosperous and
contented. People who are on the
drive acquiring possessions are not
expected to have a particularly bright
eye or hearty laugh. Neither the
doctor nor the lawyer had laughed for
a long time. He had a sterotyped
smile for the men at his club. and she
had a tender one for the sufferers in
her childs ward at the hospital For
the rest they carried their brows bent
and wore glasses.
The lawyers brows ,.lyere bent more
than usual, as he strode back and
forth through the length of his hand
some library. He had tossed his
glasses with his papers, and his hard
worked eyes stared wearily at the
patternless carpet. Those lines of
Tennysons that had set upon him with
the first dash of the raindrops nagged
increasingly.
Drug thy memory, lest thou learn it,
Lest thy heart he put to proof.
In the dead, unhappy night,
And when the rain is on the roof"
; Still the rain dashed and pattered
, The fire burned silently. The ligh,
glared relentlessly. With the sudden
| gust of impatience. the lawyer turned
off the light leaving only the glow from
the coal to illuminate the room. His
; gloomy thoughts ran on. And he coulC
, never go to her. He stopped suddenly
, and stared harder at the carpet. She
could come to him. 1t was her bust
. ness to go where sickness called
: Would she come? He played with tht
see her was rising as the storm rose
Would she come? He threw himse
into a chair and touched a bell. "Orde
the carriage and go for the doctor
Peyton. My heart is troubling m,
> again" His Voce was husky with ner
vousness. The valet was frightened
The lawyer sunk his face deeper int
T his hands. There were a dozen doctor
g | in huh tnSa1 his
V chance. Would she play to his game
e He. sat motionless-not even thinking
$ until between the gusts of rain h
r heard the grinding of wheels agains
=, the curb. He could scarcely hear 70
: eagerness, but there was a woman
d voice in the hall speaking in slow
r measured tones. Chance had played t
Il his game.
= Did the doctor know whose house sh
t was in? The lawyers hand grew col
: when the voice came into full tone a
the open door:
Electric lights, suppose"
Don't turn on the light" he inter
posed, 'it hurts my eyes. Go and Sc
!. into a dry coat, Peyton. / can eXplai
my case TO the doctor"
There was an instant of absolut
70 silence in the room after Peyton close
% the door. The lawyer held his breatl
10 She new where she was now. She ha
h. not known before. What would sh
~ do? Women are quick witted. BefoT
z. he had framed the mental questio
he she had answered ii.
le "Is your heart still troubling you, {
D. has the pain passed." The tone wa
Is quietly professional Chance had play
< ed her shabby trick, but she was
match for chance.
be For reply the lawyer rather awl
r wardly offered a chair.
g. mo thank you. | have not time
n be comfortable. Your messenger owe
s. took me AT the hospital stairs. /
Id seemed so alarmed that | came on
he once. | must return Immediately ~
is looked at her watch kindly descril
o. your symptoms" In the silence thi
lis followed she twisted her watch cha
to and looked at the fire Presently 81
D. faced around. "You suffer from
she prompted, professionally.
i'll The lawyer leaned nearer the table,
ss. From constant, ever present. 1
o. tense yearning to be near you-see ~
i'll touch you" The light flashed
under the pressure of his finger, and
Of ptiless gare fell full upon the doctor
OF face. She turned instantly toward I