Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-12-16
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pathx. abounding in insPirat lh but never committing" the writer. Miss I.ettv Linden was, in fact, past mis- ,ress of The art of composing cores pondenco that might he safely read up- on the battle fields. and through prac- lice mad reached perfection. When she thought Roz S. Quentin was 4o- ing 10 die she showed much natural feclng-stayed away from a starva- ton parry where she had promised to be in tableau. and went to early morning service for a week.
 When he finally emerged upon the world of the active and living Lefty, on seeing him in her mothers draw , ing room for the first time in the euise of caller, was mortified be- vond words. She thought he had ac- tually lost all his beauty, his fire, ami nation everything that had attracted her 10 him. St. Quentin. abnormally self-conscious, recognized this too quickly. The blood rushed to his tenn ples. He saw her stare. Waver, balk lose her extraordinary self-posses- sion, her ready speech fail her, and
 in that instant the love for her that had nerved his soul for four long years fell slam.
 She had made strenuous efforts to recover him as friend if not lover. But he would have all or nothing at her hands He had gone into a shell, had drifted away from her and her gay companions, and now in these winter days did not care whether he lived or died.
 One evening late in December, when he came back from his office, tired, dspirited. more ill than usual, cold and generally out of sorts, to climb the single flight of stairs leading to his room, he saw in the passage ahead girl struggling to lift heavy covered basket from before the door of old Major Clymer, next beyond him, and deposit it at his door,
 The gas jet in the hall below show ed him that this was a lady and St. Quentin's instinct prompted him to hasten to her relief. He sprang for ward with an apology, took the basket from her hand and, the effort proving too much for him, staggered against the wall.
 MT. St. Quentin; l am so sorry, cried the strange young woman. This hamper was left by mistake for Us, and 1 go the houseboy to bring it up to you, since your name was on the card. feared he would do something stupid as he always does, and 1t seems was right in coming after him-Oh, please, you are ill-may 1 open your door and help you in?'
 Too forlorn to say her nay, Roz gave her his key and walker dizzily into his quarters, she following. As he dropped upon his chair he saw, dimly, pair of soft dark eyes fixed upon him. and then he knew nothing, since he fainted dead away.
 When consciousness came back Roz found himself upon his couch with two women in evidence about the room. The other, whom he had not seen before. was an older, sadder. more faded replica of the first. They were moving noiselessly, putting lit- tie touches here and there, kindling the fire built in his grate, shading his reading lamp, and as he stirred the younger lady coming swiftly to his bedside, cried out in joy, II knew it was exhaustion. have seen it so oft en in the hospitals Said the elder, softly, Poor boy. To think We had nothing to give him but that poor wa
 termelon brandy. But he'll be all right now.
 You are feeling better, Mr. St. Quentin" asked the mother, coming
 10 sit beside him. Il am Mrs. Lacre
 telle and this is my daughter Marce- lite. She ran down to tell me you
 were ill, and We have taken the lib-
 erty to stay with you till you recover.
 If you feel badly at having strangers
 invade your premises, please under stand that knew you when you were
 a boy My dear husband took me once
 on a visit 10 the St. Quentin planta-
 ton. your father being his great
 friend How long it seems. All who
 were there are gone, except ourselves