Evening journal., 1905-04-14
BY IRVING BACHELLER

pulse to throw my strong arms about
her and draw her close to me and feel
the pink velvet Of her fair face upon
mine. II had only done 1t. But what
with the strangeness and grandeur OF
that big room. the voices Of the others
who were sitting in the library near
by, the mystery Of the spreading crino-
line that was pressing upon my knees
had not half the courage OF lover.
MY friend writes me that you are in
love- she said, opening her fan and
moving it slowly as she looked up at
me.
"she Is right must confess It," /
said Il am madly, hopelessly in, love
It is time you knew It, Hope, and
want your counsel"
She rose quickly and turned her face
away.
do not tell me, do not speak Of It
again, / forbid YOU" she answered
coldly.
Then she stood silent. I rose 20 take
her hand and ask her to tell me why, a
pretty ranking in my heart Soft foot
steps and the swish Of gown were
approaching Before ! could speak
Mrs. Fuller had come through the
doorway.
"Come, Hope,' she said "I cannot
let you sit up late. You are worn out,
my dear"
Then Hope bade us both good night
and went away to her room. II had
known as much about women then as
now / should have had It out, with
short delay, TO some understanding be-
tween us But in that subject one
loves and learns And one thing / have
learned is this-that jealousy throws its
illusions on every word and look and
act. ] went to my room and sat down
for a bit Of reckoning. Hope had
ceased to love me, l felt sure, and how
was / TO win her backg
After all my castle building what
was I come to?
/ heard my door open presently, and
then lifted nay head. Uncle Eb stood
near me in his stocking feet and shirt
sleeves.
I'm troubleT he whispered.
'In trouble" said.
"'Bout Hope2"
ats about Hope"
Don't be hasty. Hope II never 20
back on YOU" he whispered.
"She doesn't love me-" l said impul-
uvely "She doesn't care the snap OF
her finger FOR me-"
Don't believe It," he answered
calmly. "Not a single word OF il. Thet
woman-she's tiyin' { keep her away
from ye-but 'twon't MAKE no diff
fer'nce Not bit"
Il must try to win her back-some-
way-somehow," / whispered
"Gin ye the mitten?" be asked.
That's about IT," I answered, going
possibly too far in the depth Of my
feeling
"Whew-wr' he softly whistled.
WAL, II takes two mittens { make
a pair. Yen hev T. ask her ag'in."
Eyes. cannot give her up" | said
decisively, Il must try to win her
back. Il isn't fair. / have no claim
upon her But / must do t."
"Consarn IT, Women like t. be
chased" he said ITS their natur'.
What do they fix up so fer-di'mons
an silks an satlns-ff faint t. set men
a-chasin' NV EN-? You'd orter enjoy
it. Stick t her-jes' like a puppy t
root. Thets my advice"
Hope has got too far ahead Of me-"
I said. "She can marry a rich man IL
she wishes TO-, and / don't see why
she shouldn't What am / anyhow
but poor devil just out of college
and everything to win? It makes me
miserable TO think here in this great
house how small l am"
There's things goin' { happen" I'm
Gle Eb whispered Il can't tell We what
er when. but they're goin' & happen.
an they're goln' { change everything"
We sat thinking awhile then. knew
what he meant, that ! was TO conquer
the world somehow, and the idea
seemed to me so absurd could hardly
help laughing as melancholy as felt.
Now, you go Z bed" he said, rising
and gently touching my head with his
hand. There's things goin { happen,
boy, take my word fer H."
got in bed late that night, but there
was no sleep for me. In the still hours
! lay quietly, planning my future, for
now / must make myself worth having
and as soon as possible.
Some viii say my determination was
worthy Of better love; but bless you.
/ have my own way Of doing things.
and II has not been always so unsuc.
cessful
Continued Tomorrow)
EASTER TOUR TO OLD POINT
COMFORT. RICHMOND. AND