The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-02-24

room.
The next dag Max awoke with q
light heart He was no longer trou-
bled about his cousin, and today
Frau Betuna had promised 10 give
him q definite answer. Their last In
terview had been Of a nature 10 leave
the anxious lover with high hopes Of
success. H. fact. his triumphant love
had demanded expression in a sonnet
which he had SAT up late to compose.
This. Max determined, should accom-.
pany the most beautiful flowers that
money could buy. and when he was
sure that the object Of his devotion
had received hi- Offering he would go
himself ana demand the conirma lion
OF his ardent hopes.
Gretchen"
At the sound Of MaIs impatient
voice the young girl came quickly out
Of her room. still dressed in a wrapper
and her forehead surrounded by a row
Of bristiing curl papers.
Good morning. Max. Did you call
mnf"
Yes. Has any one been meddling
with my papers,
Mercy, no, you may be sure that
no one except yourself ever sits at
your desk. and I never allow any one
TO go into the library. But is nything
missing
Yves, something had writ.
ten"
~ page of manuscript"
Max turned sharply toward hi, cOu.
sin. Did that new note in her voice
mean that she was laughing at him:
Forgetting himself in hi, irritation, Ire
cried anGriy
so IL was you. then. who took my
poetry! You saw to whom it was ad-
dressed aud
Max stopped, ashamed at the sight
Of Gretchen, naughty face.
Forgive me. child. was vexed.
extremely vexed. This poetry sol.
net-had 2 special Importance for me
and-it is . ridiculous thing 10 confess
/ am absolutely unable to write IL
over. I cannot even remember sin
gle line My mind is perfect blank,
Ach, Himmel, was ever q man so un'
lucky befOre?'
Away he went, samming the door
behind him,
Max did not return until evening,
and even as he had done in the morn
ing. he slammed the door upon his
return. Entering his library, he was
disagreeably surprised To find an EN-.
Of
Gretchen toasting her toes before 1t.
Gretchen"
In answer to his call, the young girl
hastily appeared, still dressed in her
flowing wrapper and curl papers.
What Max exclaimed Not
dressed yet? AT 6 o'clock in the even.
ing?"
For oil answer, Gretchen began to
cry.
II was 800 sorry about that
poetry" she aObbed. Il haVe-been
hunting for it all day long. and l
cant find it anywhere - and I'm 50
tirAd-and 80 discouraged-for now
you'll never trust me again"
Hunting for my old sonnet cried
Max. why. Gretchen, child, l can
never be thankful enough that | did
not send II, If YOU only knew-but
listen.
when I went this morning to see
the-thc lady 1 told you about yester'
day, can you guess what welcome
awaited me? The announcement OF
her marriage to horrible old man,
man as rich rs he is wicked, which Is
saying great deal"
"Thcn-then-yo do not love her
any longer"
Il detest her. oh, Gretchen, dear
little girl. do not cry so hard. Come.
forgive me for all he pain | have
caused you
Max put his arm around her and
drew her head down upon his shoulder
stop crying, little cousin. and III
tell you what well do. You hurry
and get dressed, and then We'll go of
and have a nice little supper some
where and then go to the theatre. VIII
that please youf'
As he spoke Max patted the soft hair
beneath his hand and pricking his fin
gers on one of the stubby curl papers.
drew it carefully off. Suddenly a deep
and hearty burst of laughter filed
the room
Look. Gretchen" cried the young
man.
And spreading out the paper before
the eyes of the aStonished Gretchen,
Max showed her the missing sonnet'
"Oh. Max, indeed 1 did not mean
"uush. child. this poem was written
to a couuette was q blind fool then.
but now my eyes are opened. oh,
Gretchen. dearest Gretchen, can you
believe me when l tell YOU how CRATE
full am to mcrciful Providence
which hag preserved m from saying
L love YOU. to one who will mover
know what love is and who has
brought YOU, little one, back to your
true place in my hcartF'
MY true place" Gretchen repeat
cl slowly.
Keep the poetry. sweetheart Max
continued. as. meeting with no repulse,
he drew the young girl closely To his
heart Keep the poetry. IL you Will
but let me tell YOU in prose what has
long been true. although | realize II
best To day. that l love you and only
YOU"
Poverty of British bishops.
II proof were needed of the accuracy