The leader., 1904-11-26
In Days After
NJ JOHN L. MEYER


\ liz waves OU Olu 11ekhC LAO4OW6
rolled on and on. and over and
over, in sort of disconsolate melody.
Bits of silver flashed up among the
undulations close to shore, while far
out golden and red hues intermingled
increasingly and formed great patch
of trembling brilliancy on the waters
as the sun, languidly going to rest
among the hills in the west. kissed
them goodnight.
A man and woman sat side by side
on huge, fiat boulder in the sands
of the beach. But moment before,
deep in earnest deliberation, they had
wandered to this spot. as on many
nights before during the summer which
was now waning, since coming to the
lake and its peaceful, though populous,
vicinity.
He had come to rest from long and
severe grind over a barrister's desk,
and she was resting and trying to es-
cape-how she wanted to escape, too!
from what people called a career.
They both were successful people as
the world says such things. But, some
times the world does not know and
cannot understand!
The man and woman met here, on
the banks of this restful lake, 1t was
not the first time they had met.
He, in the prime and strength of
full-grown manhood, with earnestness
and mastery ever written upon his
massive face, was pleading case as
he sat there.
She, of the career and great beauty,
she, who was usually the center of a
large circle of admirers whom she de-
spised-she was listening. 1t seemed
then as if she were crestfallen; or even
as If her very soul had just been some
what bruised. Over her refined and
delicate features glowed a soft, faint
flush, and the deep thought written
upon her countenance now and then,
interposed by weary and careworn
smiles, deferred not from her charms.
I'VE were boys and girls together"
he began for perhaps the fourth, or
fifth, or perhaps the sixth time that
evening. He did not remember. or
think to remember how many times.
And we were sweethearts once-yes,
sweethearts," he added, with Just a
trifie of smile, and in tones that were
caressingly tender Perhaps for the
sake of the old-for the sake of our
former affections, l should say, you
will come to me now. Will you not?
l have asked you again and again,
Nellie, but will you not answer" he
pleaded. 81 want you for my wife. |
would have you come to my lonely
housings, and make cheer and comfort
in them, where now is loneliness and
gloom. l am plain and blunt with you.
And, as you say, know full well
cannot give you that which she and the
little baby took with them to the grave
over there in the old churchyard; down
there where we two used to chase fire.
flies on such evenings as these"
Il loved that little girl with all the
fire of YOUTH" he continued after a
sigh, "until-we are not always youths
and maidens. And, then, poor thing,
she died, and the baby died, and"
He stopped abruptly. The big, calm
lawyer, whom people called a man of
iron, who had often stood relentlessly
against the pity of wretchedness, of
poverty, of crime and of misery, was
indeed deeply moved.
"You need not, explain" she said
quickly, "for understand you. have
always and will always understand
you, Mr.. Lloyd
II wish you would call me Harry
again, as you used to-" he requested,
tenderly, and then looked as if he
wished he had not made the request.
"Why should you not?" he added.
II have never admired anyone more
than you, let me tell you,'' she said.
"And let me tell you that you made
woman of me when you left me
were taken from me by the little
woman whose memory will always live
with you-and with me. True, l am
tired and I'm weary of all this career
and, to be frank, l have wished many
times through all these years that it
could have been different between us.
Can you believe me?"
"But now," she went on, without
waiting for reply, 81 am a woman,
and not a young"
She hesitated and carefully watched
him.
You are more beautiful than ever"
he interposed, earnestly, gazing admir-
ingly toward her For moment there
was a, gleam of pride and satisfaction
in her dark, soft eyes. Then she quick
ly resumed the thread of her words
Though I am far beyond those days,
and past all the babbling of youthful
love and it's circling dreams, am not
unmoved by what you offer me. know
too, that you can make of me wife
of excellent circumstances and posi-
tion. would like to get away from
many things. I want no sentiment
Yet, although l admire you above all
men, hardly believe that l can be-
come your wife,"
Whatever she really thought may
have been carefully hidden away.
He seemed to doubt the meaning of
her words somewhat, but said nothing.