The Union Republican., 1904-10-21


Mildred!' He spoke the name
involuntarily, and the girl started
and looked up. AT that moment a
pot of red fire set burning outside
threw its searching light into the
corridor and caught them both in
its rosy glare. Prescott saw the
face clearly and came nearer with
outstretched hands.
1T is you'll" he said. For &
moment l thought l had seen q
gost.
She looked into his eyes with a
wonder equal to his own. "Dick!
she faltered. "Dick Prescott. +"
For moment they both stoot
gazing at one another in pure as
tonishment, which gradually gave
way to embarrassment.
81 was just thinking" she be
gan, as she withdrew her hand
$50 was l, he agreed, and ther
paused, for suddenly he remember
ed, and new made JOY was rapidly
transformed to pain.
He drewS+imself up little stiff
ly.
"How's Williams?" he asked
Is he here tonight"
The red light had died out and
he could no longer see her face
but he felt the tremor i'll her voic,
as she answered him.
Med Williams?" she qu1red.
eyes, he is here. l hope, and
and we'll. !"
There was a pause. "Did yol
not know that broke my engage
ment to him--years ago?" sh'
ventured, at length, constrainedly
What" cried Prescott, his heaC
whirling.
1T was a mistake" she said
cody. IT found that out very sooi
and he, too, of course. 1t was
piece of youthful folly which w
must both regret and try to pu
away forever"
well, this is news" exclaimet
Prescott. His knees felt weak, AM
he dropped into the seat near her
"How is it l never heard,
wonder"
His companion smiled.
| did you ever take the trouhl
to inquire about your old friends?'
she asked,a little bitterly.
''I was a fool" muttered tn
man beside her, "a mad young fool
tAnd there isn't any one else? Yol
are still Mildred Richards?"
"Yes, was the constrained re
piled. enite an old maid, Mel
says. IL,
Then eYat up and looked ou
1T is Petty sight, isn't it9'
she said Aghtly, "even if it doesn'
thrill one Jhe way it used to. The
heat maSe Jny head ache, and
came here to rest while Nell is tax
ing care of her partners. "
Prescott felt a decided chill, bu
he was no longer fool.
"Did your" he replied; "I came
here to remember and to make my,
self miserable. The facts are kinder
to me than / deserve.
No response; so he followed hel
lead.
"Is Nell old enough for Class
Day festivitiesl" he asked.
Miss Richards smiled. "She is
twenty and the devoted friend oi
five seniors. l am here merly as
chaperon. Mamma is i'll. l have
not been in Cambridge before for a
good many years.
"Nor l." lie said. II should not
have come to- day bit ( r the whim
of a young cousin. Being here,
resolved to do the whole thing and
see how it felt after ten years. :"
1T is the same, yet not the
same" unused the young woman
beside him.
1T is the same with decided
difference, declared Prescott; lat
least it was. Why arn't you dane
ing?" he asked suddenly.
She shook her head. "Have you
forgotten how to do sums in addi-
ton since you left college?" she
asked, gently. II believe you just
said that it was ten years since you
we're graduated. Our dancing days
are over arn't they?"
81 am learning how to do sums
i'll subtraction al the present NOM
ent," said Prescott, happily. 81
am ten years younger than l was a
quarter of an hour ago. Those past
proiitless years of home sick exile
were only all uncomfortable dream,
it seems. This is my Glass Day,
you know. Tn twenty. four, and
most ridiculously happy fellow if
you'll only come out and dance
with me. -
She laughingly shook her head.
.gNITI,ara .- ,,,xt y,n,, n,,I