The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-05-13


never knew. for news travels slowly
out IN Africa. and the fever is very
! rapid.
!
What a beautiful woman she was,
I 'ie watched her curiously. as she sat
+ before him. her head resting against
I The carved back OF the tall chair. her
eyes listlessly scanning the vast audi
ence below.
The starry jasmines nesting in the
golden hair with their sweet, subtle
perfume. seemed part Of her
She was never without them-he re-
membered. as his keen eyes fingered
on the fair picture
Yes. she was wondrous fair, and
yet
Only yesterday he had been In Whit
ney's studio, and after a look at the
artists new creation. they had sat
down 10 enjoy an hours chat and on
his chair flung there by the busy
hands. had hung a sumptuous velvet
garment. heavily brodered with fur
Moved by a quick impulse. he had taken
the great soft thing and had folded II
gently round the marble form
There had been a little silence-then
Whitney. with a sigh and the shade
of sadness lowering in his dreamy
eyes, had said quietly:
"And yet. Beresford. she IS only
woman OF stone"
Iavoluntarily the words repeated
themselves to him this night. and he
drew a quick breath.
"A woman OF stone," ST lily the two
we're akin, Could nothing touch this
woman who sat now unmoyed. while
the immense audience we're swayed by
the power OF song2 Were there no
hidden chords Of tenderness. OF feeling.
within that fautless shape? Was there
no heart beneath those folds Of tulle
and satin-those cleaning. flashing
stones2
From the friendly shelter Of the dark
curtains. he studied her intently, this
brilliant beautiful wife Of his old
friend He was curious-he confessed
II TO himself--there was something he
could not fathom. Those smiling lips.
those violet eyes. were trusty. unyield-
fAE nHl AlllfAC VI A4AN 4AtAA AfANN nv
guarded we'll
She was still fascination 10 him
let r-as they rat in the luyuriously
appointed drawing room. after tho
op "a where the freight rose and fell
10 affm. reddish gleams-the iasmines
heavily scented the air. and The old
colorsd woman she had brought from
her American home went noiseiess.y
% and fro with the dainty fragile SER
vice.
if was all a picture Beresford
bought. and just then the hos. had come
in naughty. reserved. dignihed. as be-
STING the bearer Of his name and with
him. a bonnie little chan OF six. the
leir to all these vast estates.
lie ran quickly across the room &c
Ms mothers side. and despite the late
ness of the hour his blue eyes were
wide open
oh mamma. come quick and see my
birthday gift" The eager little hands
drew her impatiently toward the music
room. the Others following slowly.
see. mamma, II talks. and Il sings
and il PLAYS Just like the band out In
the square. only like Dixie better
than God Save the Queen Quick
fix IT, papa, Now listen,"
She smiled a little at the childish
excited face. as the clear. ringing tones
Of Sousa's band came pouring out into
the quiet room.
Her husband leaned over her chair
It's really very good. American al
together" He smiled down az her
There's one thing I want you 10 hear
don't know the voice. must make
some inquiries-but it's superb"
Then he turned away and she leaned
back against the soft cushions and
carelessly crumbled a bit Of wafer in
her slender. ieweled fingers.
There was a little hush-the rain
outside beat steadily against the long
windows-it was a Wild night
Last night dreamed your golden hair
Lay soft against my face.
And that your fingers in my hand
Had found resting place
II was a mans voice divinely sweet
ard tender-a marvellous voice-snd
Beresford leaned forward 10 wondering
NfllElNs NNAAt HIS NUS AttANtAf tAlN. ~
his surprise.
81 dreamed your ririish lips met mine.
And that your dewy breath
Did whisper thoughts against my
cheek.
As would give life 10 death:
Did whisper thoughts against my
cheek.
AS would Give-life-to-
There was rustic Of soft draperies
-Beresford glanced M impatiently-
then he sprang to his feet in sudden
alarm,
She had risen ard was gazing stead
Nv over az the wonderful instrument
The beautiful face was ashen pale and
the violet eyes were fun Of horror As
he looked. the slender figure swayed
back ard forth. the white hands were
thrown out despairingly. and she
would have fallen. had he not caught
hc- quicRly-and only his ears heard
the low. piteous cry:
douglas. oh Douglas. forgive"