The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-19
TLDO ~ EXILE
By SARA LINDSAY COLEMAN

girls picture, lying face UP, on the cot OF
his tent. He had secured and secreted it
before it was noticed. He felt peculiar
reserve about it. There was something
in the pretty, proud face that belied the
act. Across the back of the photograph
the words, when am near again and
you fail to visit me, I will not leave you
my picture We're written hurriedly.
p Keith carried the picture home with
him. framed it prettiiy and set it on his
bureau. He took singular delight in the
study Of this face. Sometimes in the
midst of his hair brushing he would say,
I'liH find you some day, you beautiful.
disem bodied impossibility," or as he tied
his cravat: Your eyes are serious this
morning Miss Daisy Miller. Have / met
with your disapproval in any way? They
are beautiful eyes think they are like
some violets that grow in a corner Of my
mothers garden.
In the time just passed, when life
seemed all rainy days and stupid gram
mar classes, Keith fed for refuge after
the days work to his quiet room, and
there looking at the picture through
clouds of smoke. he found himself twenty
again and lover.
Keith did not meet the girl next door.
although he caught glimpses Of her. II
he went out, she came in and vanished
through the doorway; If he came in, she
futtered up the village street. Keith was
in her movements. 1t seemed so fla
gravity unfaithfuI to his picture. He grew
apologize and put the pictured eyes IN
the bottom of his trunk
| But a morning came-a sparkling. flaw
less morning, when, turning a corner sud-
denly, he almost ran upon the owner Of
the delicious voice
| She was walking rapidly and her face
glanced into his and beyond him. She
swept pasta glowing. sumptuous beauty.
| Keith put out his hand and steadied
himself against a friendly rail fence. He
didn't try to understand.
| AS the days passed he nursed his preju-
dices And another late afternoon came
when the gentle voice called: Prudence,
come in. I need you
| Keith got the picture out and spoke
sternly as if to an invisible culprit:
| you've been conceited fool. You
don't understand it in all probability you
inever will-but she's pure gold.
f. One morning the girl stopped in front
of him and held out her hand. saving
! I'm not a. bit conventional
Keith's bounding heart settled into his
Shoes as though he didn't know the fact
land hadn't spent months excusing it,
| I'm sure you know my name. I've
just had a letter from Bob Grahame, my
cousin. asking me to make friends with
you'' she laughed adorably. 1 GU were
in Maine with him. he says. l was there
for little while. We were roughing it.
too, and We're not far away. l came by
your camp one day and left Bob pic
ture which he hasn't appreciated enough
to acknowledge. The cook showed me
| his tent
I your eyes are just like some violets
in nv mothers garden Keith hadn't
said it aloud. He hadn't said much OF
anything. His blood surged in his veins
and sang a paean of triumph. He under
stood, and she was pure gold.
The girl plying his timidity-Bob
Grahame had said he took no stock in
girls, but that would be a charity to
brighten him up-talked on.
i. '.You must hate being here. It's hard
i to drop out and just give up for a While.
tisn't it? I had planned such full beau
tiful winter. Funny that both OF us
should have got pneumonia. and be eX-
lied. We must cheer each other. A year
isn't long. Bob says you are lonely. You
must come in and let me cook you some
d! thing on the chatting dish. 90 IL Well
really L.
Il III you don't hush, said the, man who
I walked beside her. still communicating
with himself, III call you Prudence, and
then I'm afraid there'll be an awful row ,
why, YOU do want to cOme'-they had
Preached her gate-'I see it in your eyes,
| you poor, hungry. forlorn man.
There's a wonderful light that comes
some times at evening to the hills. IL
creeps from base to crest changing from
pink to purple from purple to red. until
all is fire and glow and glory. Walking in
this sunset radiance late one afternoon,
Keith stopped at his own gate. lifted the
latch opened it wide and said: -
prudence, come in; I need YOU
Prudence smiled, the tender, adorable
smile Keith loved.