Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-05-07
WISDOM OF
THE WISE
BY STELLA BEDDING
Copyright, 1900, by Daily story Pub. Co.,

He old man sat in his corner, his
L silver hair and beard forming a faint
aureole about his face. His thin. toll
worn hands fitted ghostlike above a
kickshaw he was fashioning for little
Enrol. Steve was also in his corner, an
open book across his knees. but he did
not read; instead he looked into the fire
and then across at Marianina.
And this is TO be the last night" said
Steve
You will let me know where you are
sometimes?" Marianina asked, leaning
forward eagerly.
Their dark. handsome heads were close
together. He was the first to draw back.
The room suddenly became sitting.
Enrol ran up 10 the old man and COW
cred his face with soft. moist little
kisses. The toy was finished.
Dear Uncle Lucien," she cried in her
imperious way. lift up my hair and
put the beads around my neck"
Marianina's face was bowed i'm her
hands. Steve thought she was crying.
but ii was not so. II came upon him
with a rush what beautiful woman she
would be Hewas only Island Marianina
was younger; he had not thought much
OF feminine beauty before He saw for
the first time that her wrists were small
and well-turned: that the rich red of her
cheek and the dusky brown of her curl
ing lashes made delicious combination.
Marianina rose and flung back her
hair from her face. The room had be-
come close for her, too She was 1.-THE
with the fugitive grace of closing child
hood as she stood there in the fitful fire.
light
Steve. can't We take a little walk? II
seems to me choke in here"
He marked the place In his book where
he had left of. and followed her out into
the feathery night. They began to walk
up and down the graveled path. She
turned upon him wildly.
Just think, Steve, what the place will
be to me without you! You seem part
Of 1t; ! cannot think of 1t without you
was a mere baby. you know. when
Uncle Lucien found you and brought
YOU here. How shall miss you, Think
of the books we have rsad together, the
thoughts we have exchanged Steve, do
not the books say that the world is cold
and cruel?"
She clasped her little hands together.
and her breath caught painfully.
Yes" he answered. but | will fight
the world. ! am not afraid"
Steve, but you do not know; you will
be alone, il will be hard, they will crush
you down"
He smiled. He was strong and straight
as a young Hermes
Il am not afraid" he repeated. 81
will work, work, work. and in a few
years I will come back and take you to
the places We have dreamed about, and
give you laces and jewels and furs, and
you will be a little princess. The old
home seems very dear tonight, but
am sure there are fairer places than this,
Marianina"
Il am notso sure of that. Steve Every
corner here is crying memory. every
bush thought But remember. Steve
though | will not know where you are
many times, | will always be with you
in thought always touch you in thought.
But / am afraid-afraid-"
She buried her face ir her hands, cry
ing bitterly. and sank Down 10 the gravel
upon her knees.
riarina-Mariarira donti" he
pleaded softly. as ore reasons with a
naughty child
He tried TO raise her, his soft. black
curls brushing her wet cheek. She tore
herself away, still weeping. He knelt
down beside her. strokirg her hair silent
ly, letting his big strong hand tell by
It's gentleness what his mouth could not
utter in words Presently She roca apd
dried her eyes on her handkerchief.
oh, forgive me. forgive me. ard this
the last night. too" she said.
They turned and walked back. The
little home lay low and dark in its rest
of vines anG flowers. slender cowl of
smoke curled from the chimney. A
myriad of little stars fickered coldlv
overhead and some birds in the distant
trees sang an archaic duo.
The last night" whispered Steve
squeezing her fingers.
The last night" she echoed. with