The Van Buren press., 1904-12-17
Silver as Dust
BY
r. LANCASTER
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col

sne was alone. except when her eyes
hur her and she could neither read nor
write. Even then she was given to lylue
on the lounge by the window looking up
at the stars and dreaming endless
dreams Of the work she was to do. Lone
ly? There was stubborn strain in her
that forbade the admission.
But tonight it was stormy and no
stars; she was forced to fall back upon
the fire for companionship Alas, glow
ing coal color only aggrayates aching
eyes and physical pain will ever affect
ones mental moods! All, well, the up
shot was that the lonely woman shielded
her quiyering eyes with her strong
willing hand and fell to rejecting that
this was Christmas eve.
My stars. the tired mammas and
broke papas in this wide world TO-
night" In sharp contrast to the quiet
of her study she seemed to hear the
shrill chorusing of many childish voices.
Still she persisted:
Funny that sane people VIII go de-
liberately into that sort of thing. I'm
glad | elected to not live my life along
matrimonial lines Aye, Lord, there was
a time when the unmarried woman had
not where to lay her head, but that time
is past. | wonder if it is really well for
the world Oh independence, thy
heights are strong and clean albeit the
winds do blow bit bleak there"
She got up and walked slowly around
the room, touching the backs of her
books with tender fingers.
you are a pretty good substitute for
curly heads, cher amis, and you never
have colcs and tempers," But, yes; the
lonely woman had plenty Of pluck!
Presently, though, she was lounging
again before the fire.
I'm a selfish beast-that is the short
of it, Even these checks are being sent
as the price Of peace, not as promoters
of pleasure. Perfectly willing to heap
up silver as dust if only | may be left
alone. Aye, Lord; dare say silver
heaped up in that spirit is worth about
as much as dust Don't suppose they
get any more pleasure out of the receiv-
ing than | do out of the giving. Sort cf
perfunctory affair all around Mais,
quel voulex yous? My whole life is per-
functory. | haven't done spontane-
Gus thing since She stopped there
and the dull red fire ran into her face. 1t
seemed incrediable now, in the self-as-
sured serenity Of 35, that her high head
should ever have been bowed in broken
hearted sobbirg upon the breast of-a
convict
"Wel, | suppose every woman plays
the fool at least once in her life Still,
deliver me from any more spontaniety!
An it please you, prefer the perfume
tory Heaping up silver as silver Is too
great a strain upon one's-self-respect?
Or shall we say, soul-hber Exploiting
emotions may be thrilling but emotion
in itself is unsettling, And yet" She
threw aside the reverie and took up the
letters on the tray Neat envelopes con-
tanning neat notes enclosing neat
checks Not a blur or a blunder. Her
stationery and typewrlting was one Of
her neat little prides And they would
be mailed tomorrow. The recipients
would cash the checks, spend the money
and write her each a tn little note
perfunctory thanks for a perfunctory
present. "Silver as dust. aye, Lord "
She looked them over with aching eyes
and dropped them slowly into the re-
ceiyer Now | suppose If were to 90
scotching around in this storm and put
that money into clocks and shepperd-
Gesses and tin horns and raglands, It
would be very much more appreciated
silver heaped up as silver-though the
chances are that they don T need single
one of those things. Funny sort Of some
thIng-the human heart Can't feel
alive unless It Is making an exhibition
OF its poor self"
Then came one Of those pauses all
brain workers must take account Of
when yolton passes abruptly into a
state of suspended animation and the
mind like an unfettered wild thing
shapes the shadowy impossible swiftly
into the clear-cut imperative, II is ths
hand Of the Maker, At It's touch the
woman grew meek. Volitlon resumed
its sway, only to take up the new line OF
thought
Suppose | were TO do H. | can't
work" And there came to her vision
OF happy homes and holly and red light
and laughter, She was sufficiently sure
OF a welcome, At least they always
seemed glad 70 see her at either Ned 3 OF
Dicks. And It was only seven, "TImo
enough, goodness knowsl" Her glance
went lIngeringly around her own four
walls. Companionshp Is one thing; a
crowd Is another, AYE, Lord, II they
didn't all talk at once" And she sighed
AZ she began to pull on her Office coat
II wonder II | would have been such q
selfish beast II he hadn't died, The
chances are that should have gone on
hcaplng up silver as silver to the end
Of the chapter That's what n married
woman's life really amounts TO, Poor
fellow, death was boon to him. Well
let's have a look at the night Fifteen
years ago tonight II he had lived-all
this time and still Ave years more
She stood musIng before the nro ~
though forgetful Of her intentions, them
"Wcn, he Is dead and | am goine
rrImly forth to attempt the gladdonne
Of others, because see In Il bare
chance Of getting some gladness into my
own hollow heart Just as well tell my.
TALKS HOURS; NOT WlNDED