River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-06-01
HIS FATAL
DELAY q q
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By HAROLD Gibson

faced the bitter wind That DleW III from
the sea. Half of a dark-red sun was
hidden in the murk of winter sky;
the cold was intense, but Gerald was
filed with a fine citation as he gazed
over the waste of gray water. For
the moment he felt as monarch over
looking his kingdom; he was confident
of viking ancestors; he knew Christine
was watching him; he hoped his nose
was not red.
Christine had explained to him that
the car had been stopped on the cliff
in order that Mr. Finducane might
crawl under it and hit it with ham,
mer She added that it seemed to her
a mean thing to do. But while Gerald
perfected an attitude she was urging
the mechanic to hit harder; the situa-
ton was exposed. In spite, however,
of her encouragement and advice, it
was a considerable. time before he
cheerful countenance of Mr.. Finducane
appeared, to announce that ne
thought she'd do now" The de-
scendant Of the vikings was glad to
tuck his legs under the wraps and find
the distance that separated him from
a comfortable fire lessening.
Gerald, coming on a visit to the
Hartovers, had been met at the station
by the pride and hope of that family
$50 Christine described HERSELF and
her cousin, Bob Finducane. They had
whirled the unhappy poet, something
Of dollhouse plant, many miles over
frozen country, in order, as they ex-
planned, that he might acquire an ap-
petite for his dinner
All the previous acquaintance he had
enjoyed with Christine had gone to
show him that she was the only wom-
an in the world whom he could rely
on to make him happy. 1t was his
great purpose to live surrounded by
objects of beauty; his fiat in town was
a feast for the eye. And Christine
dainty, graceful, laughing Christine
would be strictly in keeping with his
furniture.
After dinner Gerald succeeded in
isolating Christine and himself and
deep gloom settled on Bob Finducane
He could not understand how Chris
tine tolerated the fellow-"a miser-
able sort of chap" was Bob's opinion
Christine is getting very friendly
with the celebrated poet" he re-
marked to Mr.. Hartover.
Eyes"
He talked awful rot at dinner"
continued Bob, as if seeking the secret
of the poets charm. said the fret
and hurry of the present day won
der if the car suggested it?-said it
was running society"
Society likes being ruined" said
Mr.. Hartover, cheerfully.
For himself, he said, he liked soil
tude and peace. A quiet cavern in
some distant hillside was-was his
ticket. I say, wish he'd got one"
1t was on the third day, and in the
dusk of the afternoon, that Gerald and
Christine happened to be alone to-
gether in the drawing-room, watching
the flame of great fire leap and
flicker, casting so 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-and had
sat in silence for some time medita-
lively considering the teacup in his
hands. 1t was Christine who spoke
first
Il believe we have both been
dreaming" she said.
Dreams are the wings that bear us
to the pleasant lands, to the castles
70 - he
'Or to your cave?" asked Christine.
mo; / 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; house
filed with the treasures that art gives
to her servants, and with, above all"
Gerald hesitated, for once at loss for
some effective suggestion.
Christine. serenely 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 a bright
glow; in the shadow Christine sat mo-
tionless. Gerald recognized an advan
tage and was preparing to go into the
matter more thoroughly when the door
was opened.
What, all in the dark?" came in
cheerful tones from the doorway.
"Mother!" cried Christine, jumping
up. 1--WE did not expect you until to-
morrow"
Mrs. Hartover had not noticed Gerald
IN the darkness and for a moment
Christine, little anxious about the
situation, hesitated to introduce him.
A flood of light fell on the two
through the open door, Gerald stood
in the shadow, rigid, his hands grip
ping a chair back, staring wide-eyed
as at ghost.
He was watching Christine's mother
And all that evening he was en-
veloped in a dark cloud of silent
meditation. He seemed to avoid
Christine, and when he parted from
MIR. Hartover for the night told him
that he was very sorry that circum-
stances compelled him to bring his
visit to close on the following day.
So the poet went back to town and
Christine dwelt in the country. she
could forget; indeed, other matters oc-
cupied her attention so completely that
she quite forgot But he went less