Middletown transcript., 1903-05-02
JOHN OF DlSAPpO OINTMENT
By EDWARD S1RaTT0N HOLLOWAY

4uitC A1ahC Out, Cuii ChtiOiy ioehoAhi
that leads us on. We're never quite at
the end-it is never exhausted. Thank
God, there are few such things!
He had begun laughingly, but Tilt OF
enthusiasm touched his voice at the end.
Yes, she said. There are such things.
Her tone was dreamy, and. as she looked
out over the lit water, he wondered what
such things she had found. He would
learn some day, maybe, he thought.
Under his breath he added, For love,
and beauty, and delight there is no death
nor change.
But she heard and started. All, you
know Shelley, too. Their might she
went on. Yes, might They are the
mightiest things of all.
Except, maybe, power. And there i.
power in those.
She turned half toward him. He sat
easily, at rest; but, as he had spoken, his
firm hand had grasped his knee. He
looked as if he knew what power meant,
also.
They were silent moment.
l found her frst-the moon -lady-by
the crown of her hair, he said presently,
years ago. When l first heard of her
couldn't see -her-could see nothing but
his honor the man, with his broad face
like pumpkin-lantern, till a girl knew
told me to look for his honor's eyebrow.
That she said, is her hair-or the tip OF
it. l laughed, but her recipe was good
one. 1t was rather prophetic, too, of a
small trait of mine. The first thing l see
about a beautiful woman, nowadays, is
her hair.
Suppose she isn't beautiful, and sup
pose it is red. She laughed at him.
Or suppose she has both beauty and
the red-gold crownl he threw out quickly.
She shrugged her shoulders expires.
sively.
l have often wondered if | should ever
meet one who looked like the moon-lady
who carried her head SO dearly, and so
queen-like. She must be walking this
earth somewhere! he said presently. II
| did, my freedom would be gone. At
last | should love-for keeps. He shook
his head with mock righteousness. But
if ! did, I feel she would never return it
never accept the charming name
of Hodcaster.
How sad that would be! She masked
her smile and matched his own mournful
mien. To watch the moon-lady year
after year, from Luna's second quarter
even to the end Of her third; to walk the
streets seeking crown Of beautiful hair
(red. did you say?), queenly head, only
to have it look down on its subject. How
that would be sadl But I am quoting a
modern play-where she was forsaken.
That would be the likely ending.
But he protested.
No, that was in far Japan Those
days are done-here. 1t is the woman
who wins. The man weeps, only meta
phorically. He usually expresses hia
emotion-well, in unprintable language.
Always, she laughed, when he doesn't
get his own dear way.
Yes; mans way is dear to men-to q
man. He expects to get it. He spoke
quietly, but in his tone was power, in.
flexible willard an unreasoning panic
took her.
They are singing at the hotel. Let III
go up, she said quickly.
III.
1t was month later, and out of sky
OF purple gray, above a sea Of turquoise
the moon was again showing its uppe
golden rim.
1t will be beautiful on the bay tonight
Will you try it with me?
| She hesitated an instant. 1 am sorr,
bnt cannot.
His face showed his disappointment
and annoyance.
II promised to 60 down the beacl
with Mr.. Chittick tonight.
His jaw dropped in amazement.
With Chittickl 1t was absurd
Certainly. Her chin lifted; her mar
ner forbade further questioning.
But Chittick! Oh, Lord! He gave
short laugh, then turned on his hee
He stopped, looked back, then laughe
again. You will have delightful ever
ing. He raised his cap and was off.
As he passed the tip of the dune hi
stick cut the air savagely. A squirt
sand and salt-grass followed. Hodcaste
was bitterly angry.
| She was to 60 down the beach. ii
turned in the opposite direction.
An hour later coast-guard four mile
up the beach lifted his eyes in as muc
surprise as he allowed himself to see on
of the "hotel men, stalking up the beac
alone. at Hodcaster's rate of speed.
| He walked mile further, slackene
at once, and came back-more slowly.
A half-mile above the hotel he realize
his WEAKNESS. He glanced down. Th
sand was still wet from the heavy aftel
noon shower.
4 Oh, where is that? Somewhere alon
here. Yes, there it is.
4 He made for the little tumble-dow
pavilion nearly hidden among the dunes
The house to which it belonged stoo
further back, blank-windowed and d.
serted. The pavilion was not an invitin
place. Here he would be alone.
4 As he reached its entrance he cam
upon girlish figure with her Eead bowe
upon her hands. She shrank back int
the shadows.
| Joyce!
| There was no reply.
Forgive me. l forgot myself
| 1t doesn't matter, she answered wea
lily.
Bat it does-and / am sorry. Fl
glanced about uneasily. It's hardly ga
your coming here alone. / wish yo
wouldn't-again.
Clio roco rof rid of NJ. OL;t.;.l