Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-04-08
WISDOMO OF
THE WISE
BY STELLA Bleeding
Copyright. 1904, by Daily story Pub. Co,

i"A' A''' u - 'i'''S s"''
aureole abou; his face. His thin. toll
worn hands fitted ghostlike above a
kickshaw he was fashloning 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 vas the first to draw back.
The room suddenly became sitting.
Enrol ran up to the old man and cov-
cred his face with soft. moist little
Kisses. The toy was finished.
Dear Uncle Lucicn," she cried In her
imperious way, "lift up my hair and
put the beads around my neck"
Marianina's face was bowed In her
hands. Steve thought she was crying,
but It. was not so II came upon him
with a rush what a beautiful woman she
would be. He was only IS and MarIhnina
was younger; he had not thought much
Of feminine beauty before. He saw Tor
the first time that her wrists were SINAI!
and wrll-turncd; that The rich red ofhfr
check and the dusky brown Of her curl
ing lashcs made a 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 htood there in the itiul fire
light.
"S'evc. cant We take "A little walk? II
seems % me ! choke in here"
He marked the place IN his book where
he had left of. and followed her on, INTO
the fcathery night They began TO walk
up and Town the graVclcd path. She
turned upon him wildly.
Just think, Steve, what the place Will
b. 10 me without you! YOn seem n part
OF II; ! cannot think Of II without you.
was a mere baby. you know, when
Uncle Lucien found o and brought
you here. How ! shall miss you, Think
OF the books We have read together. the
thoughts we nave exchanged! Steve, do
not the books say tina, the world is cold
and crucl?"
She claspcd her little hands together.
and her breath caught painfully.
"Yc8." he answered, but, | will fight
the world. ! am not afraid"
"Stcvc, but you do not know; You Will
be alone. It will be hard, they will crush
you down"
He smiled. He was strong and straight
AZ a young Hcrmcs.
Il am no, afraid" he repeated. u
will work. work, work, ard IN n few
gears | will rome back and take you 10
the places we have dreamed about. and
give you laccs and jewels and furs, and
you will be II little princess. The old
home seems very dear tonight, bat !
am sure there are fairor places than this,
Marianiua"
lam not so sur" rfthat steve Every
corner here is a crying memory. every
bush a thought. But r"mcmb,". steve.
though ! VIII not know whore you are
many llmrs, ! will always be with you
IN thought always touch you IN thought.
But | am afraid afraid"
She buried her face IN her hands, cry
Ing bitterly and sank down to the gravel
upon her knees.
"Marianina Marianina, don't" he
pleaded softly, as onc eas0n with n
naughty child
lie tried 10 raise her. his soft. black
curls brushing her wet check. She tore
herself away. still weeping. He knclt
down beside her. stTOking her hair silent
ly. letting his biz, strong hand tell BY
its %gentlcHess what his mouth could not
utter In words. Presently she rose and
dried her eyes on her handkerchief.
"Oh. forgive me. forgive me, and ,hi,
the last night, too" she said.
They turned and walked back. Tit
little home lay low and dark In itg mes,
OF vines and flowers. A slender cOwl OF
smoke curled from the chimney. A
myriad Of little stars fickcred cOldly
overhead. and some birds IN the distaD,
trees sang an archaic duo.
"The last night" whispered STEVE
squeezing her fingers.
"The las, night" she echoed. with q
frm, energetic answering pressure.
The door flung open and Enrol, with
her cloud OF fair hair, stood In the door,
way.
But he did not tell me that he lovsC
me and wished TO marry me" Marianins
told herself IN the middle Of the night
o. she turned over her pillow wcGriiy
"But there N no need for words wheE
two beings are AZ perfectly In sympathy
N we. and he understood " she thought
Letters came at long intervals from
Steve. and were not Of II prominently