Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-09

which are far less cruel than the nnger-
ing variety"
The woman WINGED slightly. then with
an effort. she said. quite steadily:
"Why recall by-gones. Albert? 1t in
so hopeless. SO unavailing. Let us draw
the mantle of forgetfulness over the
old days, and for tonight give ourselves
over to the present. Let our watchworo
be To-day for yesterday is gone from
us forever, and tomorrow we may moi
live to see. Life is too short to vast,
in vain regrets
"Agreed-on one condition" said the
man, earnestly.
! s"And that?" with a rising infection il
her voice.
THAT you tell meat least do me the
justice to explain why you threw me over
and married man whom l have every
reason TO believe ysu did not love-"
The woman's face was as white as
1.-THE rope of pearls which encircled hei
fair throat. She sat nervously toying
with the rings on her small, shapely fin
gers. When she at last looked up, there
was tired, weary look about her eyes
Since you persist"-and there was
a sort of break in her voice-"I will tel
you. Fathers business affairs were tot
terlng, ruin was imminent A rich son.
1n-law, he said, would reestablish con.
hdence among his creditors, and bridge
MIN over. He put up a pitiful story;
there was no time for hesitancy-no al.
Tentative, and SOL broke with you
Who had at fhnf tirpo e.
speak of-and gave myself up as sac
rifice.''
The man in the shadow caught his
breath hercely. inadvertently his hand
sought his pocket and drew forth some
thing small and glittering. He smiled
grimiy as he turned it over in. his hand
and reflected with what facility it did its
work. In one brief second it could for
ever, remove the barrier which stood be-
tween her and happiness. But he must
not make scene and spoil her evening
Later He set his lips resolute-
~, threw away his cigar Qong since
gone OUT. and then. like far-off music
ne could hear her saying:
After all. Albert, it was the hand OF
Providence. We were such children.
and did not know the meaning of love
Why, compared with the real thing. that
youthful passion was but a spurious
imitation At that time / had not the
1aintest conception Of the beauty, the
tullness of what Drummond defines the
greatest thing in the world. A won
derful being is the little god of love.
Though blind and deaf to our wishes OF
desires ha dicci
burdens, and makes life one grand, sweet
song. All, Albert, in the old days, I
never dreamed of such perfect love as
now fills my life"
The man rose and offered his arm.
Before returning to the ballroom. /"
he said, in voice disciplined to steadi.
ness, Il should like to offer my con-
gratulatons, and-pardon me-bu;
should you mind telling me the name OF
the fortunate one upon whom you"
The woman interrupted him with a
soft, ripping laugh.
"As if there could be but one-that
noblest and best man God ever created
my husband"
They passed on. and the man in the
shadows sank back into the chair and
drew forth another cigar. Before light
ing it, he returned the glittering object
TO his pocket. In voice strangely soft
and tender, he murmured:
God, / thank Thee!"
Far down the street some one was
stunning on guitar and singing:
Tell me that you love me.
Tell me softly. as of old,
Tell me that you love me-
FOR mats the sweetest story ever told. -