The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-01
by y.
RICHARD HARDING DAVIS

! been so happy and you were suffering all
the time"
Her brother stared at the others In dis
may. What nonsense he said. pattinS
her on the shoulder. You're a bit tired,
/ and you need rest. That's what you need.
The idea of my sister going off in Mysteries
after behaving like such a sport-and be-
fore these young ladies. too. Aren't you
ashamed"
Il should think they'd be ashamed" said
MacWilliams, severely, as he con-
tinued placidly with his supper. They
haven't got enough clothes on"
Langham looked over Hopes shoulder al
Clay and nodded significantly. Shes been
on a good deal of a strain" he explained
ALPHABETICALLY. land no wonder; it's been
rather an unusual night for her"
Hope raised her head and smiled at him
through her tears. Then she turned and
moved toward Clay. She brushed her eyes
with the back of her hand and laughed. 1T
has been an unusual night" she said. shall
/ tell him?' she asked.
Clay Strengthened himself up unconscious
ly and stepped beside her and took her
, hand; MacWiIliams quickly lowered to the
/ bench the dish from which he was eating.
and stood up. too. The people of the house
stared at the group in the freight witt
puzzled interest, at the beautiful young gil.
and at the tall. sunburned young man at her
side. Langham looked from his sister to
MAY diLu MAIN doaAAk anu
"Langham. l have been very bold said
Clay. Il have asked your sister to marry
me-and she has said that she would
Langham flushed as red as his sister. He
felt himself at a disadvantage in the pres
erce of . love as great and strong as he
knew this must be. 1t made him seem
strangely young and inadequate. He crossed
over to his sister awkwardly and kissed
her. and then took Clay's hand, and the
three stood together and looked at one an
other, and there was no sign of doubt or
question in the face of any one of them.
They stood so for some little time. smiling
and exclaiming together, and utterly uncon-
scious of anything but their own delight
and happiness. MacWilliams watched them,
his face puckered into odd wrinkles and his
eyes half closed. Hope suddenly broke
away from the others and turned toward
him with her hands held out.
Have You nothing to say to me, Mr..
MacWilliams?" she asked.
MacWiIliams looked doubtfully at Clay, as
though from force of habit he must ask adj
vice from his chief first, and then took the
hands that she held out to him and shook
them up and down. His usual confidence
seemed to have forsaken him., and he stood.
shifting from one foot to the other. smiling
and abashed.
well, l always said they didn't make
them any better than you" he gasped at
last. 81 was always telling him that.
WdSH L ~ IIOoLNu tfSh ~ -
Clay. And that's SO; they don't make 'em
any better than you"
He dropped her hands and crossed over 10
Clay, and stood surveying him with a smile
of wonder and admiration.
How'd you do it," he demanded. How
asked, sternly. that you're not good enough
for Miss Hope? You know that, don't
your"
MacwiIiams walked toward the door and
stood in It for a second. looking back at
them over his shoulder. They don't make
them any better than that" he reiterated
gravely. and disappeared in the direction of
the horses. shaking his head and muttering
his establishment and delight.
please give me some money" Hope said
to Clay. "All the money you have" she
added. smiling at her assumption of author
ity over him; land you too. Ted" The men
emptied their pockets, and Hope poured the
mass of silver into the hands of the women,
who gazed at it uncomprehendingly.
Thank you for your trouble and your
good supper" Hope said in Spanish, land
may no evil come to your house."
The woman and her daughters followed
her to the carriage. bowling and uttering
good wishes in the extravagant metaphor
of their country. And as they drove away
Hope waved her hand to them as she sank
closer against Clay's shoulder.
The world is full of such kind and gen. |
tie SOULS" she said.
In an hour they had regained the main
road. and a little later the stars grew dim |
and the moonlight faded, and trees and
bushes and rocks began to take substance |
and to grow into form and outline. They |
saw by the cool. gray light of the morning |
the familiar hills around the capital. and at
a cry from the boys on the box seat they |
looked ahead and beheld the harbor of Va |
lencia at their feet, lying as placid and I'M
as the water in a bathtub. As
they turned VI the hill into the road tina