Evening star., 1907-07-21

"HROUGH the open windows of pleasantly
sunny little sitting room a lazy breath of early
summer drfted in, and gently stirred the way
ward hair of girl who leaned forward over a small
writing desk with her head resting upon one white
fore arm, and her face hidden Her attitude
Of collapse, complete abandonment perhaps to
grief or perhaps to actual physical suffering; yet
|there was no movement of the slender, graceful
body, nothing to indicate even passive interest
lin her surroundings Just this silent, motlOnless
figure, alone.
One arm, the left, swung down listlessly at her
side and in that hand she held single red rose,
splendid, full blown crimson blossom. The thorny
stem touched the floor, and the leaves swayed
|rhythmcaly playthings of the caressing breeze.
On the green sten just below the girls tightly
|clenched hand was single staln--a drop OF blood
as if the thorn had pierced the delicate flesh On
the desk from which dainty writing trinkets had
been pushed back, florists box, open. 1t was
from this box evidently that the red rose had been
taken The paper which had been wrapped
round the flower torn.
A Dresden clock on the mante whrred family
and chimed the hour of FIVE but the girl gave not the
slightest indication of having heard And then after
moment door opened and maid appeared. She
paused her eyes fell upon the Inquire OF the young
woman made as if to speak, then instead silently
Withdrew leaving the door slightly open. She did
not seem surprised that notice was taken of her.
A dozen times she had found her Young mistress
like this and it always after the box had come
from the florists with the single red rose. She sighed
a little as she went out.
The hands of the clock crept round the dial
slowly to FIVE minutes past the hour, then ten,
and finally to fifteen. Then there came scamper-
ing of soft feet along the hall, and white, shaggy
little dog thrust his head in at the door nquisvely.
Heltersketer he came tunbling in and planted two
soed fore feet in the girls lap as he awaited the
caress which always ready for him Now it
didn't come He backed away and regarded her
thoughtfully. 1t must be sort OF game she
was playing. He crouched on the floor and barked
plavfullv; but she didn't look round.
Evidently this not what was expected OF HIM.
He scampered back and forth the twice,
then returned to the motioness figure and placed
his feet in her lap again. She wouldn't look He
barked whined softly, then off like the wind round
the room again. He stopped on her left side this
hand Cutched the His moist tongue caressed
the closed hand and shifted at it nsistently. Sud
denly he seemed daZed, and reeled uncertainty as
if from an unexpected blow. He whined again. as
if choking; there rattle in his shaggy throat;
and then began violent whirllng twisting, which
continued till he fell After awhile he lay still with
all four feet turned upward and glazed staring
And vet the girl hadn't moved.
The hands of the clock crept on. At five minutes
of six o'clock the maid appeared at the door again,
paused for moment then ventured IN Will you
dress for dinner, ma ann" she inquired
The girl didn't answer.
Its nearly six o'clock, ma am" said the maid.
Still there no answer.
The maid approached her young mistress and
touched her lightly the shoulder. You'll be
late unless" she began.
And then something about the unreSlstlng, I'M
passive figure frightened her She shook the girl
Sharply and called her many times. Finally
with effort she raised the Shapelv head What
she saw in the upturned face wrung scream after
turning she staggered toward the door with
utterable horror in her widely distended eyes She
clutched at the door frame to steady herself,
screamed again, and fell forward, faintng. There