davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

a lump rises in jeans throat he -asts
one glance at the bowed figure and then
does just what he ought not do.
II all seems so natural. also. for Inn
TO have his arms around her that it
seems matter OF course for her TO re-
spond to his comfortings with equal
warmth Then incoherent explanations
satisfy each other, and for the nonce
they arc cheerful.
But IL is 10 be for so short a time
for one brief evening-that Il were we'll.
perhaps. that It had not been so natural.
Conversing in low tones. undisturaed
by anyone, all too quickly the evening
spends its course Both have prepared
themselves for the final good-by, but
will put it of as long as possible. avon
minutes being precious.
Have you told him OF me, Fanny
softly inquiries Jean
She shakes her head sadly. NO. net
yet; perhaps 1 never will"
Silence until the moment draws near,
and both arise
Fanny is trembling slightly. and Jean
Is equally as agitated
They open the door and are bathed IN
food OF the moons siIvery rays.
Once again Jeans arm steals around
her waist-arms that are as unsteady
as the form they encircle Their hearts
are throbbing painfully. yet they are
firm of purpose-hurting as II Is 10
them. honor calls for the sacrifice and
they are making it
On the still night air. from a nearby
cloister, are borne the chimes OF mid
night. AS they listen TO the mellow
peals OF the old church bell. both in
stinctiyely regard them as the death
knell TO their new-found loves.
Jean withdraws his arms. Strengthens
up with a sad but determined look on his
face. and as the last echoes die out
turns 10 her.
1T is farewell Fanny" he says, but
but. be brave. Be a game loser he
continued more animatedly. but in
strange. unnatural tone. we risked.
We won; we risked again, we LOST"
The words die out in a whisper, and
his face grows deathly white: he's cast
the die. but it's left him weak
Fanny stretches out a cold. nervous
hand to Jean. and he clasps IL tightly.
Her eyes are dialated, her faculties for
withstanding the temptation are weak
ening-
Must it be. Jean. foreveri- she family
whispers, and the supplicating look she
gives him requires all the will power
at his command to resist. But be steels
himself for the ordeal, though IL takes
herculean effort and sadly mods as
sent Then, looking up. he warmly
presses her hand-just one family
spoken word-"Fannyl"
She gives a low. quick sob. but tries
to smile.
"GOod-by. Jean" she whispers.
slowly. walking 10 the end OF the path
Jean turns and looks back
Stin smiling family she blows n fare
we'll kiss 10 him then turns away.
But two large. burning tears slowly
trickle down her cheek
1.-THE ENDl
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

Away spin the dials-the game is on
again. and interest runs high.
Il like you"
Well, l thank-I--I hope you do.
You know feel the same toward you
my every action-my eyes have told
you that"
Eyes sometimes deceive"
Yes. that's So ventures Jean-the
two newly acquainted couples have ar
rived at the river resort, and arc
doing" #.
But not in this case" Jean con-
tinues.
She laughs low. silvery laugh. and
then. looking archIy up into his face
How many girls have you told that &c
this summer"
Jean starts a triie, colors. but truth
fully replies: only one. outside of you
But why did you ask me? And how
about you and your statement"
Momentarily a PARKWAY look comes
into her eyes, but it vanishes as quickly
as IL comes
Il meant what I said. she replied
slowly. but soberly-"let's change the
subject
Jean casts a furtive glance toward her
Agreed" he says. T.
Here. you two; come down to earth
won't you? We're growing impatient. e.
It's Art and his girl--of an-evening
The two reluctantly turn and the foul
are together.
Archie. lght-hearted and gay-a jol-
lier whom his friends liked to have jolly
them-he never made any pretense o.
being sincere; Allyne. a couquette. find
/ ing in Archie boy after her liking. and
now. contented; Jean. impulsive, poeti,
tho environments affecting his spirits
and the touch Of romance in this
evenings frolic imparting just the ingre
clients TO put him at his best: FOL
there's Fanny
All. there's Fanny. Jean raTSl-. founC
Fanny" for in looks. words. and ac
tion the Fanny OF this evening IS the un
known. his ideal-the one. and. thus far
the only equal OF one whom he haC
known, had loved-and had lost, leav.
ing instilled in his heart an ideal hare
to find Yes. Fanny is his ideal-this
and more.
She is pretty. coy. aud mirtbful He
whole soul is in this evenings pleasure
and she is happy. What il IT is to b.
only temporary? What if. Bother
IFS" Eat. drink. and be merry; TO
mon TOW" She laughs softly Sh'
likes Jean, and frankly tells him so; an,
when Fanny likes" a person her Tx
is as near akin to something else deare
as il is conveniently possible.
All in all. things augur we'll for yer!
enjoy able evening for Fanny and Jean.
Art.
Let 81 mean. shall we. Jean" an
swers Fanny, giancing UP at him with
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

once, looking up. he caught puzzled
look fixed upon himself.
Curtis was not the only one impressed
with the don's strangeness OF manner
II had long been agreed upon In the
senior common room that Knox's mis-
sion in life was to marry and set up
house somewhere on tho Banbury road.
He was too young and serious. was the
general verdict. He did not share their
delight in the exchange of genial cpl
grams: his taste IN wine was uncultiva,-
ed; his dealings with undergraduates IN
their nocturnal frolics showed no sense
OF social differences. he was, IL was te-
clared. out of touch With the spirit Of
his college. Tonight he seemed particu-
larly so. The garrulous divine who sat
next TO him could obtain no response TO
his sallies. Only once he command ID
his attention. and that was when he re-
marked in his CHEEKY way in reference
to recent scandal that one could not
expect a person with a classical educa-
ton to be able to distinguish between
"meum" and "tuum." Knox looked up
in his grave way and said that he hoped
sincerely that was not true. One really
can't be sorry for Knox. thought the
garrulous divine, though he is going to
/ be married
Hugh's reflections during the day had
hot served to show the immediate pros
pect any clearer or any higher. Even
the consultations OF pride were gradually
falling him, and the oft-repested Il will
never see her or speak to her again"
had become modified into II wonder Il
snail ever see her or speak 20 her
again"
Unlike his usual self he msde his way
alone 10 his rooms after dinner On HIS
table was a letter. and with a gasp OF
surprise he recognized the handwriting
of the masters daughter.
There we're only two lines in the big
girlish hand:
Hugh. will catch the train tomor-
row."
Even so. he had scarcely read il when
there came a knock on the door, and
looking up, he found that his visitor was
Mr.. Knox
The tutor shut the door with a ner-
vous hand. and began 10 speak hurried
ly. but in the somewhat formal tone
! which was habitual with him.
You will understand that il is ex.
tTemely difficult for me to approach YOU
personally upon matter $3.50 delicate
as the one between US"
Hugh crammed the letter into hi,
pocket. where il Joined the other. ad-
/ dressed 10 his rival. and nodded stifiv
With his hand upon them he felt armed
for the fight.
The tutor looked curiously through his
glasses at the young mans upright fig.
ure. and there was something wistfu
in his glance
Il must say, he continued. that
found IL hard to convince myself thai
a young man who bears such a reputa-
ton as yours throughout the universit,
could have stopped to a dishonorabIe &C.
ton
''DishonorabIe. sir" exclaimed Hugh
angrily: 4 deny that there was any.
thing dishonorable in what I did"
Perhaps foolish would be the bet
ter word. he said
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20
THE LAST LETTER: "A COMPLETE STORY Byt4ERo4D WHIT

"or foolish" said Hugh. Foolish IN
deedi
Believe me-" said the tutor. 'the
matter has worried me personally very
much since IL occurred -
Hugh thought to himself that very
likely It had
1t seemed so particularly mean"
pursued Mr.. Knox. Ito enter my rooms
as you did In order 70 get hold OF my
private"
III you think that I read a single
word. broke in Hugh hastily. you are
very much mistaken"
do you mean TO say you do not know
the contents OF what you Took" asked
the tutor
Mr.. Knox looked at him eoldly. and
then glanced over the paper
Yes" he said. half to himself. these
are the moral philosophy questions as
drafted them Nothing else was Missing.
think" Hugh stood for a moment
aghast; then he said:
do you mean 20 say you thought that
I ! came into your rooms knowing that
you We're one of the Greats examiners
and-and stole these papers7"
Mr.. Knox frowned slightly and looked
from Hugh TO the papers without a
word
"Eut tell you" said Hugh. "it's-Its
all Il mistake.
"Mr. Curtis" said the tutor. Il came
to you TO tell you that II was all a mis-
take. I am taking a heavy responsibility
upon myself. but think that am right.
I am not. believe. "a genial person.
his manner was awkward, but his
voice had lost its tone OF formal pre-
clsion-"but / have ideas upon the sub
jet OF sudden temptations and the con-
sequences that follow yielding to them
I could not easily bear the thought that
carelessness OF mind had contributed TO
ruin bright and promising career. Such
thought would cloud period Of my
life in which I would have others as
happy as myself And so l came 20 tell
you that regard this as all mistake"
The words tumbled out awkwardiy
enough. and as IL ashamed of them he
made for the door, but before reaching
il he turned:
"Ah. there was something else wish
ed TO ask you," he said. and hdgetted
with his cap as shyly as a boy. Was
there by any chance among the papers
letter? had opened IL. but had not
read it. l should be sorry II it were
lost"
Hugh was about TO draw the letter
from his pocket. Here was the explana-
ton. the proof that ne was no purlciner
OF examination papers. But a sudden
thought stopped him This man had not
read the letter: for all he knew the girl
was true to him now. The little stilted
phrase came echoing back. "A period
OF my life In which would have others
as happy as myself" and this was the
man. who. thinking with good reason
that he had stolen the papers. had come
20 tell him that IL was "aIl a mistake
His hand crushed the envelope IN bis
pocket.
NO. there was no letter" he said.
Il shall find it somewhere. no doubt.
said the tutor. and went. Then when be
had gone Hugh sat down to write let
ter. 1t was the last he wrote TO the
masters daughter.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

She looks up at him. and a ghost OF a
smile filters TO her face.
For goodness sake. Jean. look differ
ent; you scare met
Fanny, he begins. IL didn't-for-
give"
She stops him.
Jean, because you censure yourself
so severely. you're not all TO blame. 1.
too. should not"
Then you commences Jean.
She mods her head-he understands.
Now silence reigns.
The lights Of passing landing claim
their attention. The boat is slowing
Gown. Why? This is not a regular
landing Hoarse shouting is heard be-
low. Those on the hurricane deck look
anxious. Now the boat has entirely
! stopped-not at the wharf-in mid
stream, Allyne grows frightened, Ar
ties efforts TO reassure her notwith-
standing.
One side OF the vessel begins to sink.
until the deck slants at an alarming
degree. Cries OF fear arise all around
them. Is it possible there is danger OF
/ SINKING so near Shoreg
Fanny is as calm as the river itself.
How tranquil she seems.
Aren't you afraid?" wonderingly in
quires Jean, looking down at her rap
turously.
! NO. she sadly answers, L"
/ The boat lurches. and the slant is on
the other side. The crowd now appears
almost frantic with fear. Allyne and
Archie with the rest.
| Jean marvels at himself He has never
been particularly brave in face of dan
ger before, but now. not a trace OF
fright appears on his face.
II looks again at Fanny. All else is
| forgotten in the rapture that look in
spires. An embrace that thrills the
very depths of their souls results. In
the danger that menaces them their new
found love Is paramount Past and fu-
( ture are lost sight OF.
| Not forgotten: no. II must return
simultaneously For Fanny speaks
| II wish" she begins In tone sound
! ing almost like sob. as with arms
Clasped tightly around jeans neck she
lays her flushed face on his shoulders,
the old boat would sink"
He signs. and replies, And l wish,
| Fanny we two had never met"
She sobs aloud
All. the irony of fate, To bring to-
sether two lives. so eminently fitted
! for one another: to disclose to each
other the contents OF their inmost soul
; 10 have a danger force from lips confess
sions otherwise so tightly sealed-this,
when both are previously pledgedl
! The irony OF fateI
Anon the excitement ceases-a brawl
below had caused the crowd to flock to
! first one side OF the boat and then "a
the other. its weight causing the start
| ling slant TO either side. ANS quiet
lnow-all save Jeans soul
What shall he do--is he 20 see this
fair custodian OF his heart again. after
! he shall have bid her farewell at her
now ever nearing homer But minutes
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

strains. 1t has stopped and they look
around them.
The scene is typical Of the evening
trip of the steamer p. plying be-
tween Washington and a river resort.
All around are the passengers-people
OF all ages and walks OF life-taking I'D
vantage of an opportunity 10 escape for
few hours from the oppressive heat OF
the city.
Here is an elderly couple, sitting quiet
and serene, the cool breezos and the
music of the band sufficient for the time
being 10 appease their desires for recre-
alton: now two children rush heedlessly
by In an all-absorbing game OF tag
there sits younger couple, softly cor
Yersing with lips and eyes. impatientIy
waiting for the shades Of night to fan,
when the hurricane deck. their mecca
shall be in order: arm in arm
strolls by pair OF girls. anon glanclns
arehly at a passing admirer; old men
and young setting en- up" and holding
general jollifcation meeting in she
whistle wetter' below: mothers vi-h
their young swapping" household yarns.
while young men. such as our two I'M
prOvised picnickers. waiting for some
thing TO turn up" complete the varie-
gated throng. II is a happy. contented
crowd. and the good nature everywhere
| prevalent is not lost upon the two boys
Archie Foulton and Jean RowlinSs
drifted aimlessly TO the boat wharf
they are not the ones not to take al
vantage of the opportunity to have q
/ good time
See anyone you know, Jean?" inquire.
Archie. as the two slowly promenadot
/ the ships decks.
! Nary soul" answers Jean you p
Cant say l do, yet, but Hello
Herb. he breaks on. as he speaks to a
passing acquaintance, who are you
With"
MY folks" he replies. and as two
pretty girls hove in view he continues.
Here are two of my friends; do YOU
want 10 know them7"
'surer' both answer in chorus. A.
the girls draw near Herb" stops them
a few words, and the iutroductions ar,
made
The first step Of this "chaneery" +,
successful. The boys win,
The wheel is moving slower and slow.
err hardly more than moves. Greens
along. the ball drops.
The red wins again cries the
Knight OF the Rouge ct Noir: come
gentlemen. some ones bound 20 win"
The winners gather In their sporIs
the losers look Sore" and all plac,
another roll on the board
I'm double on the red. says ths
Reckless One.
"All down? They're on"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

look the likes OF which are causing
jeans heart 20 tug dangerously impa-
GENTLY at its moorings. What he spec
'Ilates is not known Aloud he says:
why, yes; il will be delightful on the
water tonight
And rowing they go.
Fate? MOI Artful Archiel Well he
knew that when he suggested rowing
rowing. on a clear, moonlight and star
Ut Eight-there would be but one re-
suit for him-another conquest
And for Fanny and Jean? All. this
is d night for Jean. Few have been its
reer-none has surpassed it, Now they
are sitting together-Archie and Allyne
row
81 feel awfully contented and happy
tonight. jean" says Fanny. softly. and
with one OF her shy. sweet glauces.
Careful. Jean
Contented? All. he Is more than con-
tented-he is rapturously enchanted
That moon, What a light il casts
| upon her; and what a face Il is. any
way. Is 1t any wonder his heart. now
utterly beyond his control. goes soar
] ing away? Is IL any wonder that ST
that moment the very air he breathes
seems laden with incense celebrating in
! the extreme? No, Utopia at it's best
could not equal this He turns to her
II she is not blind she cannot but read
/ that message in his eyes. They. in their
brilliancy. must have burned the knowI-
edge of his love into the very depths
of her soul.
! His arm slowly encircles her. he1
head is laid upon his shoulder. he
The memory of the kiss he imprints
upon her bewitching, ruby lips VIII ever
remain in Jeans mind He speaks, but
what he says is inaudible save to her
Fanny. you've made me love you'll"
She smiles at him-that love is re-
turned.
| Is he mistaken or does the warmth OF
her affection slowly cool He shoulders
slightly. but both are brought to III,
knowledge of their whereabouts BY
Archie.
Here, it's my turn to spoon. Come
row some, Jean. won't your"
The change is made Perhaps it's
we'll
IL is not until they are homewar6
bound on the boat that they speak again
Sitting together. with the same moon
and stars o'erhead. he looks at her
Gazing dreamily ahead she seems IN.
conscious OF his presence. But she turns
TO him. and with a suddenness thai
startles him. exclaims:
Jean; you spoke of one other tonight
| who is she?'
All, the secrets out he was not mis-.
taken-she had changed!
With an in-drawing or breath that
might have been taken for n gasp. n,
whispers. Fanny" Words here wouIf
be superiluous. His face grows asher
pale.
Acknowledgement
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

inner room stood that gentleman himself
with surprise and inquiry looking over
his spectacles.
Hugh made hasty grab at some
papers. with the letter among them.
blurted something about his essay hav
ing come to the wrong tutor. and made
for the stairs with astonished protests
ringing in his ears.
With an air of easy Indifference. in
tended 10 allay the suspicious OF the
don in case he might be looking out of
his window, Hugh strobe to the corner
and then made a dash for his rooms,
sported his oak" and flung the papers
on his table.
What should he do with the letter?
A first inspiration 10 throw it into the
| fire was instantly rejected. He might
| inclose It and send ii back TO the lady
with Mr.. Hugh Curtis compliments. .
No, there was something vaguely COM
mercial about "MF. Hugh Curtis COM
pliments" which made the phrase seem
! inadequate to the dignity of the situa-
ton. Why not simply inclose II and put
nothing at all? she would never know,
and he would never tell her the-well.
the unpleasantness ne had been through
TO get it for her She would never hear
a whisper of the intrepid act which had
saved the situation before il was too
late He picked the envelope from the
papers. Then he saw that the upper
edge had been cut So Knox had read
/ tho letter II was too late
What was TO no done now? One thing
he was determined on. whatever Knox
might know and whatever Knox might
do. he himself would never see q
speak to her again. But how explain tc
Knox his taking Of the letter? Thai
was the rub. No amount of pacing NJ
and down the floor seemed to solve the
problem. The gargOyle opposite. stared
at for ever so long, suggested never an
answer. The newly-arrived sunshine
could shed no light on the situation The
pattern on the floor and the books OF
the shelves were equally barren of sug-
gestions. Hugh got up and went out.
His steps took him in the direction
of the parks, but he had not got 70 tn
broad before he discovered that he VA
following MIR. Knox. The tutor wa.
walking alone in absent minded fashion
Sometimes he would stare for momenSi
together into tie-shops. which coul:
have not the remotest interest for aim
sometimes he would stop dead. lookial
az the pavement. and then move on witt
a jerk. Impelled by some curious fas
eination, Hugh found himself tracking
the tutor in HIS aimless wandering
throughout the day. In the end. as h
watched him go slowly up the stairs {,
his room. he thought with something OF
pang that he looked very lonely. EeIl
It was his own fault. How can one ex
pect girl 20 stick to one when one
back is getting bowed and ones hair 4
thin and one has to peer through spec
tacles? Hugh quite made up his min,
that when these things happened 10 hin
he would not let such folly enter nj
head. For that matter. he had don
with women now. At dinner, again, II
hall he watched the tutor at the higl
table. eating and listening TO his fel
low dons in a dull. abstracted way. AM
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-20

remain when they shall >part-in what
spirit he must decide, She speaks.
Jean" in a whisper. looking up
from her shoulder head-rest. while no
imprints another soul-fnspired kiss upon
her lips-'T1l-I must see you again."
He begins to speak, but she inter
rupts him-"No: Not word OF pro-
test
Then. slowly and sadIy-"I'H tempt
the awful chancery-I couldn't say last
goodbye here. No. I'll see you once
more. anyway-for veal or for woe
| cannot tell" At the doorway
but & warm hand-clasp-and "Au re-
voir.'
Again the dials slowly revolve-a
slower turn-they stop.
''Ah. a change in luck-the black
wins,' cries the roulette knight
gasp, The crowd looks around al
Its source-a haggard face-bIoodsho;
eyes-a wrecked life. The Reckless One
turns away-his all is lost,
/ Yet still the game goes on,
Fanny's home.
Jean leans lazlly back in his chair
I and smiles grimly. How like Fanny ev-
erything seems-how quiet, how home
like, low tranquil.
Within and without all is peaceful.
( Through the open window is waited the
fragrance of sweet perrumed flowers
the cool and refreshing incense OF the
verdant lawn. 1t all seems so natural
Jean wonders at his restlessness.
But three short days" he solilo-
( quizes-"it doesn't seem possible. Be-
fore then l was true to her. and had
no thought Of proving otherwise. Then
Fanny stepped in"
He breaks of. and like a picture
comes before him that fatal river trip.
And she, too. is pledged. All. well.
Lucky fellow! / wonder
Jean"
That individual starts. but does not
arise He is content 10 look In the
doorway. appearing unto him like an
apparition. stands Fanny.
Night has folded its somber mantle
over Mother Earth. and all is dark-alI
/ save where a few stray moonbeams.
whose silvery rays. shining through the
open window. fall upon Fanny.
! Jean sits as II speilbound. II she were
pretty before she is beautiful now. Clad
In garment fii:ny and white, her arms
| and throat bare. her eyes sparkling radi-
/ antly. she presents a picture that is
worthy Of comparison with Venus. So
enwrapped is he. he falls TO speak
JEAN" she exclaims again. aren't you
! glad TO see me?'
He rouses himself and greets her.
Glad" he says. brightly. I'm de-
lighted, You look charming this even
/ ing" Then, soberly, Jean continues
But. oh Fanny. why did you fix your
self so irresistibly? You have made :,
so much harder for us.
! Fanny pales perceptibly and gropss fos
( n seat.
why did you remind me?" she faint
ly asks OF him. and. sinking down into
chair, buries her face in her hands.