Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-06-17

| MI. COOhC W do lAAAh4hSs
"What mind. Horace. that wager
must be won. 1t is worth more than
$500, my boy"
From books they passed on to music,
and it was an easy transition to the
grand piano in the corner. Mr. Cooke
took his seat at the instrument to recall
to her memory a favorite air. His
voice was good, his accompaniment
showed skill and taste, and, bent upon
dazzling the widow, he sang with feel
ing and power.
do you remember this?" he asked,
touching a few chords OF duet.
She replied by singing the first notes.
She gradually let her voice out in all
its rich beauty, and his blended with
hers. He sang low, listening intently.
All, Mr. Cooke, who is dazZled now?
At last he rose 10 take his leave, ask
ing and receiving permission to call
again; and Mrs. Dayton took up
book, threw it aside, praeticed few
moments, and stopped when she found
she was singing his song, walked out
ard returned home. wondering why she
could not get that man" cut of her
mind
To, say that their future intercourse
was pleasant is a dull phrase to de-
scribe it. Each being bent upon MAX
ing conquest of the other, their best
powers were exerted. their richest
treasures of wit, accomplishment and
thought displayed. and somehow Mr..
Cooke began to feel ashamed of his
wager, and Mrs. Dayton wished she
had never seen Horace Cooke.
1t was lovely day in early spring
that he called to take her for ride,
and found her sad and dispirited.
Nothing would have made her confess
it, but the gay little widow was il
love.
They went out of the town. driving
through an avenue of tall trees, when
Mr.. Cooke began to talk of love. 1t
aroused the widow from her depression
to ward the thrUsts she felt he was
making at her secret.
Lover she said, scornfully. Bah!
A schoolboy's first passion, before he
leaves pinafores, is dignifed with the
name. An old mans doting is called
lover
''Yet the hottest, highest feeling of
the heart of man in his prime of power
has no higher name" said her COM
panion.
"Man in his prime of powerr' she re-
peated scornfully. ''I'll tell you how it
is with men. From the time they walk
to school beside the hoydenish girl
until they are seventy they fancy they
are in love. Every pretty face calls
forth the protestation of the passion
you just tried to dignity. They love
fifty times, and to the fifty-firSt flame
is offered the battered, WORKOUT heart
as if it were brand new and fresh"
You wrong u.s." he said, reused in
his turn by her steady glance. Though
each admiration of boyhood and youth
may call forth passing feeling. it is
eyanescent, and passes like ripple on
deep water. But when the depths of
these waters are stirred by the hurri-
cane of real love, not calling for re-
turn, it at least merits sympathy and
comfort" and he let his voice fall in
a low, tender cadence.
Mrs. Dayton felt uncomfortable. The
laughing response that rose to her lips
died there. She longed to tell him her
belief in his doctrine. They were going
slowly along, each intent and thought
full, when the scream of a locomotive
startled the horse. and he dashed for
ward at full gallop.
There was a rush, crash and they
were on the roadside-the horse a
mangled corpse, the carriage thrown
violently back several feet, Mr.. Cooke
insenSible on the grass, and Mrs. Day
ton on the other side of the road. I'M
injured.
Mrs. Dayton sat up. and with a ner-
vous, hysterical laugh, called her COM
panion's name. He did not answer.
She went to his side. He was white.
still. insensible, and she thought him
dead With a wild cry she raised his
head to her breast, calling his name.
Horace. dear Horace! only look at
me-" she pleaded.
Then she looked around for help.
There was no house in sight. Mrs
Dayton was not a woman TO spend
many moments in useless grief. She
soon recovered her presence of mind.
Her vinaigrette was hanging at her
belt, and she tried its effects.
Her companion was only stunned.
and in a few moments he was able
to feel her hand on his brow, hear her
! voice in his ear. He kept perfectly
still, his eyes closed and his breathing
low. The most delicious ecstasy was
holding him quiet The low, sweet
voice, which would never before speak
one word Of preference for him, was
now murmuring, tenderly:
Horace. dear Horace! speak to me
once morew
A tear felLupon his face. He opened
his eyes. The next moment he re-
GREETED it, for he found his head on the
grass. and Mrs. Dayton at least five
feet from him.
"Are you hurt?" she asked, quietly.
Had he been dreaming? Was this
the voice that had said: Horace!
dear Horace?'
He sat up. He was not hurt, only
stunned. and in 4 few moments he
stood beside her. Her veil was down.
| and he could not see her face
How are we to get homer" She
asked, pointing to the dead horse and
broken carriage.
Her voice trembled now, and as the
wind blew aside her veil. he saw that
her eyes bore traces of weeping.
Horace forgot his wager. forgot their
awkward predicament forgot every
thing but his love. and he poured it
forth in broken. passionate words. Her
heart throbbed high with ecstasy, for
she was too great IN adept III The art
iof Irritation herself not to he able TO
tell the voice Of real feeling. Yet.
as he went on. the scene With Airs.