The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-08-02
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end Of so rluch Joy in creative work,
of such boundless hopes! Regret,
not available for us" The letters
grinned at him derisively. He hasti-
ly slipped the fatal paper into port
folio, but ever before him fitted
those gray, cold words, mot avail
able" All through the air they
danced; the walls of his room we're
dotted with them. He could contain
himself no longer within these walls,
which had witnessed his inspiration
and hopes. and on which were now
written In black letters, Regret, not
available" o.
He rushed out. Life, and all it
contained was hateful to kim; he
hated the whole universe: the plain
'bourgeoise" pt hing her offspring
along in go-' D.; the yo ng ian
and girls with the teA4.5 .Icluets-
was there ever sillier game?-the
old ladies knitting and munching
Kaffeekuchen (coffee cake); old men
strolling along, their eager talk in
terrupted now and then by a little
coughing spell; and then those sweet
hearts with their mien of blissful
imbecility. All of them he despised,
the whole conceited lot of them. The
pa. was filed with these ridiculous
people, Tho were enjoying the early
spring and seemed glad to live, not
knowing what it was to have ones
work returned with "regret, not
available"
The mali was one trembling mass
of glitter. The tender fresh green
of the lindens was as yet not toe
dense to prevent the sun from filter
ing through, making bolden blotches
on the blond heads of young girls
and glorifying the shabby black
gowns of the old ladies.
A general disgust filled the young
poet. He turned into a side path
Here about the fish pond walked pa.
tient governesses with their rich
charges; on every bench sat pair OF
lovers, on every tree a nightingale
He stared into the water as if eager
to murder the poor little goldfish
disporting themselves on the sun.
fecked surface. Oh, if that pond
were not so shallow, harmlessly shall
low like the ordinary German read.
ing public, he would not have be-
grudged them the pleasure of haul.
ing his dead body out of the water
they might then understand that
once more Indifference and lack OF
appreciation had friven a poet tc
his death. He walked on rapidly
regardless of those who came in his
way. Those whom he jostled rough
ly looked angrily at him. This
pleased him, for he felt himself al
war with the whole world.
The heavy laden spring air soor
overpowered him, and he looked
about for a place to rest. All the
seats were taken. At last he found
a bench with but one occupant, &
young girl. He sat down on the ex
treme end. Resting his arms on hi!
elbows he buried his head in hi
hands and gave himself up to brood
ings. He did not care to see the
laughing sunlight.
Just along the line of vision, ou
Of the corner of his eye, he saw ;
small foot, shod in gray gaiter; ;
dainty foot, which moved slightly
but regularly. He followed tn,
movement mechanically. Something
quieting to his nerves seemed to EN-
anate from it. His tempestuou
mood soon gave way to one of mel
ancholy. All pain seemed to hav,
vanished, and he was conscious o
but one wish, and that was that tina
little gray body might keep on sway
ing indefinitely. Gradually he got
glimpse of blue skirt, then yer.
slim waist, and finally delicate pro
file. The lips quivered, and tear
were visible on the long lashes. H
dropped his eyes, and resumed watch
ing that moving foot.
Here, at last, was a woman VIII
was not giggling and chatterlng lik
the rest of them. She was a suffere
like himself. Birds were jubilant
and from the distance came sound
OF voices from the merry thron
which thought life good and natur
benign.
The sound of a suppressed so
aroused him. Involuntarily, h
turned towards her. The girl, over
come by grief, was pressing her hand
kerchief to her eyes; wiping he
tears, she looked at him askance.
He could contain himself no Ions
err Moving closer, he addressed he
In modest, respectful terms Don
put any restraint on your feeling
l, TOO, know what sorrow is. Coul
perchance be of any assistance t
you? To be sure, we are stranger
but misery loves companionship."
Il thank you," she answered in
ohlldlike way, scrutinizing him clos
ly; mo one can help me. l am s
unhappy And again her tears b,
gan to flow.
You are right" he said sadl
Who can help another? No one. y
In order that you may not thin
me FOOLISH" she began hesitatingl
OF think Heaven knows what of me
.lne mad in reality thought Heave
KNOWS What of her) II will tell yo
all got letter which disappointe
me dreadfully, letter of refusal"
Indeed"
"You see, am a governess ,
profession"
"Ah!"
And felt sure had the positio,
when this cruel letter came"