The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-15
''"AFTER
FIVE
YEARS -
By
Frances
Wilson
Copyright, 1901, by Frances Wilson {
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i ID, L
a meditative manner, leaning her cheek
against two fingers of her left hand, |
land perhaps some of those little cakes
the ones that are so tempting Oh the
outside and all emptiness on the in
side
From her tone Lorrimer understood
that she meant to intimate that the
artistic unities demanded cakes of this
description. He translated the order
into man talk for the benefit of the OBJ
sequious waiter and then asked with
the air of one who was used to being
made con6dant of:
whats the trouble? Because I've
noticed that when you order tea it is
an infallible sign of a disturbed con-
science
There was flash of mirth in her
eyes as they met his, and she clasped
her hands on the edge of the table and
leaned toward him, saying in whee-
ding way:
You're the greatest comfort to me.
known, save one, who always under
stands! With you it isn't necessary to
dot ones is and cross ones ts."
Having paid him this handsome COM
pliment, she beamed at him across the
narrow table and expectantly awaited
the question which she knew was sure
to follow.
'And the other fellow" he laughed,
''the one who shares with me the proud
distinction?''
He's the trouble!' came the answer
in pathetic voice. Then with sudden
vivacity: Ibid you ever notice that
there's something about the movements
of the average waiter that reminds one
of Spencerian writing? There's a flow
ing grace in the way that he removes
dish cover, a flourish in the way that
he sets down q plate, which marks him
as human exponent of the Spencerian
theory
Their order had arrived. and it was
not until she had poured the tea that
she spoke again. Then she burst out
Indignantly:
Nobody but a dreamer would think
of such thing as continuing a ro-
nance from the point where he left it
five years before. It's absurd, you
know" she continued candidly. "a
PERSONS feelings change from year to
year!'
"From season to season would seem
to me a more accurate statement" put
in her companion, with suaye smile.
unless. indeed, my experience has
been unusual
you do understand" she smiled.
.'You certainly do! Now YOU would
know, wouldn't you. that if a woman
were fond of you. say when leg O.
mutton sleeves We're in fashion, she
might-prebably would-feel very diff
ferent by the time that the coat sleeves
We're de rigueur?'' a
Her face wore the hopeful expression
of a person who has at last found a
perfectly rational human being who
will see things as they are. Lorrimer
drained his cup and set it down delib-
erately before he replied. Then he
said
Don't you think you would better
bSSlil dC Lie UcSllllllilS. LOU lc d lIlue
incoherent, you know"
That's just it, There wasn't any be-
ginning! And evidently he thinks that
there hasn't been any end. 1t was all
so elusive and intangible and so sad!
He left so much to the Imagination.
think that was Il part of his fascina-
ton for me- There was look in his
eyes at times that wrung my heart
and from pity drifted by degrees into
something more.
When we parted, l knew that we
We're sworn to an eternal friendship
sort of ashes of roses affair, you know
and in my own heart was fully de
termined neve: to marry. / was going
to be one of those sweet, sad, strong
women that you read about"
She screwed her forehead into knot
and looked at him deprecatingly.
"What happened?" he inquired in q
sympathetic tone. you haven't mar
RED it is true, but ! have never con
nected you in my thoughts with hid
den sorrow
The occupants of an adjoining table
raaa T. 20. and her attention was en-
erossea fUr lament by love of {
gown. The .:e ale back to Lori
mer and her ,.ol,y.
Il suppose that what happened wa,
just-other men.' she said ruefully
1.-THE spirit was willing, but the tlesl
was weak"
what in the name of goodness il
troubling you theny' asked Lorrimer
thoroughly mystified.
"Why, had note from him thi
morning! He will be in town mex
"Wednesday. His wife is deadw
She composed her face to an expires
sion of perfect propriety before making
this announcement, though there was
faint twitching of her lips.
"Ah-h-h! / see. You fear that he i
coming to claim his pound of flesh, an,
you're not of the same mind that yo1
We're when it was promised"
She nodded.
Its not quite nice of me to tell yor
but we're very old friends, and III