Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-06-12

seen you dressed for ball before"
AS if astOnished at his request, she
stands quite still, and, letting her round,
bare arms hang loosely before her, with
her hands clasped she lets him gaze at
her sweet fairness in utter silence. II
takes him some time. Then
'You are very PALE" he says-no more.
Not word of praise escapes him.
She is woman enough to feel cha2rin
at this, and discomfort. Has her glass
lied to her, then2 One small word of APP
probation, even about her gown, would
have been sweet to her at this moment
Is she 80 very pale? Is it that ibis
white gown does not become her? A
quick dislike to the beautiful robe-ald
only an hour ago she regarded it with
positive affection-now takes possession
Of her.
81 am always PALE" she says, with sub.
dued resentment.
mot always. Tonight one hardly
knows where your dress ends, and where
you begin" She has hardly had time to
wonder If this is a compliment or the
other thing, when he goes on again: Il
don't think I ever saw you in white be-
FORE" he says.
mo, and it is probable you will never
see me in it again." she says, petulantfy.
81 dislike it. It is cold and unbecoming,
think"
And then q peculias smile that, some
how, angers her excessively, grows round
his lips, and fingers there.
EYES," he answers, slowly; you are
looking admirably-you are looking all
you can possibly desire tonight"
She is deeply angered. She turns abb
ruptly and, passing him, goes quickly to
the door.
81 am keeping you from your work"
says Portia. GO back to it. I know l
should not have come here to disturb you,
and"
"Do not say that" he interrupts her
eagerly. 81 deserve it, know, but
do not. l have lost all interest in my
work. I cannot return to it tonight. And
that book you brought, let me have it
now, will you? I shall be glad Of it by
and-by."
81 came to make friends with you. ]
wanted to be friends with you, and"
eyes, know. l received you ungra-
ciously; grant 1t; but was there nothing
for me to forgive? And even if | was
unpardonably ungrateful for your kind
ness, is that so heavy a crime that l
should be punished for it with what is
worse than death? Portia, 1 entreat you,
put your hand in mine before you leave
me-"
He is very pale, and there is very
agony of expectation in his dark eyes.
But yet she stands irresolute, not seeing
his agony, because her head is bent, with
her fair arms still nanglng before ner,
with her fingers closely intertwincd. lie
can look unrebuked upon her beauty, up
on the rounded whiteness Of her arms,
upon the tumultuous rise and fall of her
bosom, upon the little shaped perfect
head, that might we'll have graced
throne.
Each rich charm in her lovely, down
cast face is clear to him; a great yearning
takes possession of his breast; an uncon-
querable desire to tell her all he feels for
her. There have been moments when
he has thought he must fall at her feet,
and laying hold of the hem of her gar.
ment, cry aloud to her from out his hearts
wild longing, II have gone mad! l love
you! Let me die!"
60" he says, without looking at her,
in voice from which all warmth and
feeling of any sort, be it anger or regret,
has flown. "There is no reason at all
why you should waste even one kind word
or touch upon me. was mad to ask it."
At this, life returns to her. Her lips
culver; she lifts her eyes t. his, and such
is the force of her regard that he is con-
strained sorely against his will, to return
it. Then he can see her eyes are full Of
tears-great liquid-loving drops that
tremble to their fall; and even as he
watches them, in painful wonder, they
from her lids and run all down her pale
but rounded cheeks.
She holds out to him not one, but two
hands. Her whole face changes, glad.
ness, that has in it something Of Heaven,
fills his eyes. Taking the little trembling
hands softly in his own, he lays them on
his beating heart. For moment only,
then he lets them fall and then, before
this divine joy has quite left him, he finds
himself alone.