Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-12-23
rcclllci Il 81

Nillh llc ilu
ever had before He went TO Paris.
where he pitched deep into work 10
try to forget the maiden, but thoughts
OF her would creep IN in spite Of
himself, and sometimes her image, Il
laughing, haunting image, would steal
In between him and his canvas. and
then lie would have TO give up
work for that day. 1t was no use.
lie would 80 out OH the streets ana
walk and walk and walk, trying 10
wonder il the maiden's answer was
final, calling up little scenes OF their
days together, coniurlng up her looks
10 see II he could not again read in her
eyes and find something there that he
wanted. lie wrote her long letters tell
ing her Il great many things that were
not always kind. Some OF the letters
he sent across the ocean to her; others
lie tore mp and tried 10 forget But
there were only three letters from her
In all the four years lie was gone. and
they all came Oh Christmas eve. Long
friendly letters they We're. lust like the
chats they used TO have. but with no
Sign of the thing he wanted her to
write above all else. The stupid artist
worked so hard that lie could hardly
help winning some shadowy success in
all that time. There was picture or
two in the salon: his instructors grew
encouraging; there was Il lnc now ana
then in the papers. all of which puflcd
him up nightly because he vainly
hoped they might make some difference
with the maiden
when four years had passed the
artist thought lie might return TO his
home in New York ana start his work
there. He told himself over ana over
again that lc was going home u the
maiden. and his heart beat absurdly
with hope of seeing her and then sank
heavily again nj thought of the change
the years might have made, of the cs
arrangement they might have brought
During the time he had been away She
had written many stories and had final
~ convinced the editors of their worth
lie saw her name in the contents of
Il number CT magazines The old DAYS
wore changed. He would no longer find
her in the cheap boarding house. If
she sent him away three years before
she probably had almost forgotten him
in all this time. but the thought of lie
Christmas letters spurrcb him to write
to her and tell her of his return. He
would reach New Yor: the day before
Christmas. the anniversary of his lcnv-
ing. Would she meet him that cvcnii!,
at half past 6 in the little restaurant?
He would wait for her ut their same
table in The corner. and they would tall.
over OLD times. The artist arrived in
New York OH the day lie expected. and
all afternoon he wandered about. wait.
Ing for the hour of their engagement.
yet half drcading Ii for fear she should
not come. i!ut the good fairy waved
her wand for him this time. for the
maiden really came. and she Is Just the
same, dear, sweet maiden us in the old
days, only The shabby clothes are re-
placed by new. well cut things, and
there IS quiet air Of prosperity about
her. She looks just 81 little older. per.
haps, and the eyes are trinc more
serious, but they are the same tender.
splendid eyes, rejecting Il big. sweet
soul. The two talked over many
things. but all the time the artist has
searched the maiden's eyes 10 see if he
could find there any sign Of What lie
has longri for I'll these years. dif.
fcrcnt answer 10 the question he put
to her four years ago. He is cagcr t.
offer again to make II home for her ana
to spend his life tryiM" To make her the
fappiest woman in all the world"
lie Locked over nj tic .;Ii Il; is for
you to end the story" lIc sI,d mi :ly
Her cheeks were flushed, anl She