Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-05-13
THE LADY AND THE POET.

gloom settled on Bob Finducane. He
could not understand how Christine toll
Grated the fellow-'a miserable sort of
chap" was Bob's opinion.
Christine is getting very friendly with
the celebrated poet" he remarked to MIR.
Hartover
YES" replied tha4 gentleman, medita-
lively strolling his beard
lie talked awful rot ut dinner" con-
tinued Bob, as if seeking the secret of
the poets charm. said the fret and
hurry of the present day was running
society"
Society likes being ruined" said Mr.
IIartover, cheerfG!!s
For himself, he liked solitude and
peace. \ quiet cavern in some distant
hillside was-was his ticket. | say, l
wish he'd get one
HE would reserve it for summer time"
That's what Christine said. and it
made him awfuIly Wild" chuekled Bob
Told him he had better choose one with
southern aspect. Said some of them
were dug 80 carelessly."
Mr.. Hartover smiled and moved to-
ward the pair in the far corner of the
| drawing ROOM He had decided that he
ought to have a share in his guests con-
versation. He may have been influenced
by his duty as a host. or as a father, on
as uncle to Bob Finducane. In any case,
Gerald was annoyed; he could see he was
amusing Christine-he was not sure of
this big, quiet man with the long beard
He fancied he might prove more difficult
to fascinate
Although Bob could not understand it
and the objection is seriousit is GER
tain that during the first couple of days
of Gerald's visit Christine endured much
of his society with apparent resignation,
even with lghtness of heart. 1t must
be remembered, if Bob forgot it, that
the fellow was something of celebrity,
and his well-known worship of beauty
could not but bring some satisfaction to
Christine. Bob, usually so cheerful,
could find no reason for dispelling the
| gloom that had settled ON him.
| 1t was on the third day, and in the
! dusk of the afternoon. that Gerald and
Christine happened to be alone together
| in the drawing room. watching the flames
of a great fire leap and flicker. casting
50 cheerful light into the room that
Christine had stoutly opposed the designs
of a servant who had entered with
matches.
For once Gerald had forgotten the
value of words-his words had sat
IN silence fer some time meditatively
considering the teacup in his hands 1t
was Christine who spoke first
Il believe we have both been dream
! ing" She said
Dreams are the wings that bear us
to the pleasant lands to the castles and
! fairy palaces said the poet
! or to your cave?" asked Christine.
! No; | was dreaming OF beautiful
house, with bright flowers and old trees
round it; with the sunlight streaming
! through great. windows, giving life and
/ youth to the fancies of dead painters on
/ the walls; Il house filed with the treas
ures that art gives to her servants: and
with, above all" Gerald hesitated for
once at a loss for some effective sug-
/ gesti0n.
Christine. serencly obtuse, suggested
/ the roof
No" said Gerald, putting down his
teacup and smiling family. Some one
to pour out the tea
/ The fire had sobered to bright glow;
/ in the shadow Christine sat motionless.
| Gerald recognized an advantage. and
was preparing to 90 into the matter
more thoroughly, when the door was
opened.
What, all in the dark?7 came in
cheerful tones from the doorway.
Mother cried Christine umpinn IN
I'VE did not expect You until tomor-
row"
"oh. I'm all right again now. Dear
Mrs. Burton was 50 kind \ sweet
woman. She knows at least a hundred
certain cures for cold, and Eve tried
them all"
Mrs. narrower had not noticed Ger
aid in the darkness. and for a moment
/ Christine, Il little anxious about the sit
uatiou, hcsitated to introduce him. A
Hood of light fell on the two ladies
/ through the open door. Gerald stood in
the shadow, rigid, his hands gripping a
chair back, staring wide eyed as at a
/ ghost
He was watching Christincs mother.
And all that evening he was enveloped
in dark cloud of silent meditation. He
seemed to avoid Christine and when he
parted from MIR. Hartoyer for the night
told him that he was very sorry that
circumstances compelled him to bring
his visit to a close on the following day.
The night brought no change in mis-
plans, nor in the appearance of secret
sorrow that Christine had remarked tbc
evening before. He ate nothing at
breakfast and decided on an early train.
Bob drove him to the station in the car
by quite the shortest wav-aud seemed
to find all his old cheerfuiress rs he
stood with Christine on the platform
and watched the train moving out.
Poe, chap seems to have got the