The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1903-04-02

~ ,uis hin, ,uwm 5n. ,,,.'asu's ~ e,,nn,iv T r
understood, and but poorly appreciat-
ed"
Yes, ! know" conceded John. He
felt AT disadvantage In the presence
Of his clever young friend. lie had al
ways thought what n pity II was that
Fhe. with her yearning for artistic COM
partnership and her felicity In writing
mClOdlous verse, should be immured In
the DIN little town of Braxville. In
deed, II II we're not for his convictions
or this subject he would have several
years ago asked Paulina 10 share the
pretty home he could AFFORD TO build for
her. Now that the well-known novelist
from the cast was to lecture In town.
Paullna. who had long adored her AT n
distance. felt that the most charming
opportunity OF her life was approach
ing.
THE ladies' Of Braxville are to give
Mrs. c. Browning Delamere n recep-
ton" said PaulIna. She was embroid-
ering n scarf in cardinal flowers. and
her white fingers showed fair and
graceful against the rosy silk. "It will
be duito an elaborate social affair.
hope the nlrht will be fine. for I shall
have To walk TO the hall"
She did not speak resentfully. She ac-
cepted the fact Of the comparative
poverty of her family. a carriage was
not To hp considered
let me drive YOU" John entreated,
eagerly. i've the ponies. you know
and n covered buggy"
Pauina lifted her gray. black-fringed
eyes to his She liked John Litner's ad-
miration. He was the best-looking
young fellow in town. He had a repu-
tation for uprigh'ness and honorable
dealing She was iEe only girl 10 whom
he showed attention. But-she couldn't
consider him seriously. He was so log
ical--sO practical N was quite pOssi-
BILE he could not tell n iriolet from n
sonnet. She laughed and shook her
head.
''No. no! I am accustomed to walk
ing"
Mrs. Delnmere will be proud U meet
YOU, I'm sure" blurted out John. "Sho
has read your volume Of poems Of
course. She"-his s,magination making
wild and somc'rhat dismayed flight
''she may ask you to visit her In the
city"
A modest smile set the dlmples play
Ing hide and seek in Paulina's mink
cheeks. Her eyes were quite brilliant
with the light OF new hope when she
lifted them, II suppose she has read my
little boot Three Of the critical notices
about II were very na'tering. I should
love to 20 10 the city"
Her claspod hands fell on the linen
scarf She looked drcamily into the fire
In the open stove Litner felt tighten
Ing grip at his heart
We've might not see you back in
BraXville again" he hnZarded He couid
rot fancy Braxville without Paulina. n
would he sunless spot. where Joy of
life would be merged In the mere mo-
notonous duty Of breathing.
perhaps not" responded Paulina
airily. She was rs cruel as only young
girl can be To the man of whose love
she is profoundly assured. 81 have no
doubt Mrs. Delamere and I will have
much In common" And she went on
with her embroidery. John stayed
awhile longer. He sat staring at the red
Goals His big, shapely. brown hands
gripped the arms Of his chair. A GER
tain rlgidlty had set itself like a seal
upon his countenance. lie was crazy "a
have kept on hoping. How could he
fancy Paullna might come 10 care for
him? She n beauty-a poetess. with all
kinds OF exquisite dreams and fancies
which he could not comprehend but
and fanclcs-he could and did worship
in wordless sympathy. He gave a short
sigh as he rose.
"Weli good night. Paulina. hope
Il wish"-just then Palina's bright
sooped and picked II up. He did not
finish the sentence. Instead he said
good night again and went away.
Braxyille was on It's best behavior
and the ladies OF Braxville were In
their best gowns and most important
manners to welcome Mrs. @. Brownins
Delamere. She appeared before theiI
interested gaze, a stout, forid. some
what pompous woman. gowned In black
velvet, opening over a rather juyenil,
skirt OF white satin painted In rose
buds. She looked monumental and ou
Of her element In the unpretentioui
best room OF the largest private hous,
in the village. Her eyes took in ever
detail OF the eager audience who con,
'fronted her. She spoke In a hard, mo
notonous voice. Her address was iiber
ally decorated with quotations. ant
punctuated with platitudes But none o
those who listened lost sight Of the fac,
that she was a successful city authoI
and club woman-least OF all Palini
Wright. She was profoundly impressed
by the hope OF soon meeting personal
i, ly one who had attained the emlnenc,
OF which she dreamed, She saw thu
many glances that we're sent In her di
rection. She was conscious that today
the people OF Braxville were prona %
her. She knew they considered that sh'
lent iuster TO the town. II was Will
pardonable pride she heard the com
plimentary flourish with which thu