The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-04-27

1T would have been easier. But she was
attractive, beautiful. A fatal card for
the women who are compelled to play
the double part of man and woman
too.
Many time she would come in from
the Office with blazing eyes and burn
ing cheeks: Just another new insult.
l must be degenerating when a man
of that caliber dares approach me.
What have done to deserve such pun
ishment? l have right to earn my
bread without these side-thrusts COM
ing to me continually"
Sometimes was almost surprised
she didn't do something desperate.
Then one day she came in and calmly
told me that she had resigned her po-
sition and would just go at her stories
again. Sometimes they sold we'll, and
then we lived high;" fruit, flowers,
long-tailed gowns, theater tickets and
excursions up the big Mississippi and
across the lake.
Sometimes they were returned
stacks of them; remember one week
that the postman consequentially hand
ed me back nine. She would look blue
for a moment, and then laugh. She
once said she had lot of good fun out
of herself, her haps and mishaps, and
would whisper dramatically, 1.-THE fate
of genius!"
When these hard times would come
she bore them like hero-yes like a
hero, for there was truly masculine
philosophy about her. But the strain
after while began to tell on frame
rot too strong, though she had always
had perfect health.
The irregular fare-for some DAYS
we had nothing at all in the little house
but bread and a bit of molasses-and
the uncertainty of even making ends
meet; even the missing of the laughter
and admiration that had been hers al
ways wherever she went, told upon
her.
Then one day letter came-it was
from the man who had drifted with her
in the boat that May day long ago. 1
trembled for her then-for them both.
He wanted to come and see her Just
once more, knew how hungry was her
heart-how barren and empty of all
JOY or pleasure her poor little work-a-
day life. did not say one word. She
got up and walked the little room many
times; for not the first time of late
was struck with the change in her.
She grew thinner daily; the velvet of
her eyes more intense, and they were
almost abnormally large.
At last she turned to me, almost de-
family. and said: II will let him come.
feel now that the end is not far Off
the end of all things. I've suffered
almost enough. You know this is a
world Of compensation. have had so
much OF happiness don't believe any
girl ever was so terribly happy; and
I've had almost as much of misery
almost-not quite. Yes, will see him
again: will snatch at joy for one
brief hour. All. my love Of long ago,
my dear love of the May-time and the
ripping streams and budding flowers,
l will see thee once more, clasp thy
dear hand and kiss thy lips. The lips
that have yearned for touch of for
years. Yes, you shall come-come
soon-for am going out into the I'M
known. feel it here" with her hand
upon her heart. Il don't mind it at all
now. love; I'm so tired, so tired" A
binding sea of tears swept over my
eyes. She had never spoken like this
before-had been brave and even pa
tient for her. for hers had never been
meek and quiet spirit"
Well, he came. They were alone to-
gether for hours. could not rest.
knew her strange, emotional nature
her broad views on almost every SUBJ
ject. knew him. too. Knew that he
was honorable, high-minded, noble al
most. but also knew he was man
man of passionate sense, of poetical
thought.
Remuneration had been the price they
paid for love that came unbidden-
came because they were counterparts.
Would they be as strong again?"
After while l heard the front door
open and his departing footsteps She
came in. At first could not look up
(God forgive me for that first and only
| moment of doubt. was afraid.
Then she came and knelt down be-
side me and whispered softly, in al.
most the same old tone: I'm SO
happy, so happy, so happy"
Then she raised her face and our
eyes met. Thank God! she had con-
quered again-conquered self-that
throbbing, thrilling flesh and blood
self that could live within only loves
fold.
She was going fast now, weakening
daily, but still at her desk writing,
writing. All, say what you will, she
had many a spark of genius-her
thoughts We're original ane strong and
sweet.
When the end came it came quite
suddenly. She had been writing all
day. A half finished manuscript lay
on the table before her and sealed
letter addressed to him, with the pen
still in her hand u went over to her
she had been silent So long,. Just at
the end of his name she had become