Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-22
VII.
In the Fools Paradise.

VII.
In the Fools Paradise
We breakfasted In the bright. wcil-lighted
dining room where the clatter of boots and
the roll of wheels reached us but family
BY day the dining room had lost something
of the splendor lent by soft. lily Dubbed
lights. 1t was a pleasant room and quiet
Carnations and blush roses sent forth their
fragrance, and Mrs. Randolph had placed
carnation in her hair. But not flower
of them all could match in loveliness the
woman who called me her husband.
Apparently determined to be bright and
charming, or because she really cou,d not
be otherwise. she had put aside the tears
that Lad stressed me. and joyous wei
conc g.. I'd from her tongue.
Miss Hansborough, in white, was almost
as charming and more grlsh and pic
quaint. No remote reference was made by
either to the thing that 1 knew was upper
most in the heart of each. 1t was as If
belonged there and had always been there.
The situation was one OF such ease that
when we began to talk 1t was as good
comrades and friends, while the silent serv-
ants came and went, and the variable
"cIock- clock of hoofs reached us from APP
parently far away.
All the while l pondered my singular po-
s!tion and wondered as to its outcome. And
yielding TO the weakness that had con-
quered me ! tried to give myself up to the
enjoyment of what I was sure was but a
fools paradise. But even a short hour of
this was worth much. l was beginning to
ask myself too why / should not continue
to dwell in Eden, since the angel of the
flaming sword had fallen asleep. and, no
longer guarding the entrance. had let me
in.
hI,t n
friendless stranger. trying to be gay in gay
Babylon. occupying NOW this home OF
wealth and refinement as its recognized
head lowered not only with the friendship,
but with the love-aye, the worship-of its
charming mistress. Had romance ever
taken a more cratic gait! Not only were
the fates crazy and the oracles drunk, but
Fortunatus and Aladdin lived again and
were turning the world upside down for
me.
Wealth hitherto unknown would be mine;
and this woman, this angel of the sky
bright eyes and warm, brown hair, would
be mine, also, If l yielded to the tempta-
ton that beset me. Possible wealth had
no seductive power compared with that.
With her l could abide happy anywhere.
Book of Verses underneath the Bongh.
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread-and Thou
Reside me singing in the Wilderness
Oh. Wilderness were Paradise erow!
Thus temptation, with more than the
strength of Samson, tugged. at the GAIA
gates of my soul, threatening to carry
them away.
After a time Miss Hansborough began to
talk again of the Harvard-Yale game.
It's going to be great game, Jack
says" she declared with fine enthusiasm.
Il wouldn't miss 1t for anything
She picked out the reddest of the roses
three of them-and pinned one on my coat,
another on Mrs. Randolph's dress and
adorned herself with the third
"Rah, rah, rah-Harvard!'
She laughed merrily, and for the mo-
mcnt l was really quite happy and en-
thusiastic.
when is this great game to be?" I
asked
The 22d sf this month-June; June, the
month of roses! l shall get a bunch OF the
biggest and reddest roses I can find to
wear. and wen simply fill the auto with
them and with the Harvard coors.'
And that isn't SO very far away, either
said Mrs. Randolph. IF you're willing,
Julian (she fixed her eyes on mel, we II
go to Newport in the Idler for few days,
and then we can take the train for Boston.
and send the yacht round with the captain
and crew.
If l were willing? Heavens,
And we'll have just the joiliest time. -
said Miss Hansborough. admiring the rose
she had pinned on her bosom. ooh, l do
hope Harvard will win"
THE doctor says" began Mrs. Randolph,
then hesitated. seeming to regret that she
had said anything.
What does he say" l asked.
He thought a little sea trip and change
would help you"
Goodr' l cried in pretended high spirits.
We'll sail the world over. / like that
name-tha Idler. 1t hints of baskIng seas,
and coral islands. and naked brown men.
and all the things I've read aoout and
never expected to see. l admire Dr..
Thompson. When he runs for mayor of
New York I shall be the first to vote for
him
DIR. Thompson is a wonderful man. said
Mrs. Randolph.
He is l agreed, with pretended levity.
vet with covert meaning when he called
to see me he felt my pulse and talked
about his horse. We neeu such a man for
President of these United States. How he
would through all the little schemes Of
the mere politicians"
Though l was laughing as 1 ended l saw
that Mrs. Randolph was not pleased She
admired that great man, DR.. Thompson,
and believed in him thoroughly; and | did
not doubt that she wrote generous checks
for him. In a fair and beautiful feminine
hand. She would have done well, l felt
if she had thrown her money into the East
river.
We arose from the table, still talking, and
Miss marlborough began to select some
more of the raddest of the roses.
l strOlled uneasily into the library. where
the deep windows overlooked the avenue
Mrs. Randolph followed me- and came and
through the curtains into the street. In a
few moments a servant entered with cigars
and placed them, with matches, by the lit
tie brass ash-tray on the table near the
window.
As the servant retreated Mrs Randolph
drew up one of the chairs. 1 reached for
another, which l placed beside It, She
smiled contentedly. And like a flash it
came to me that Julian Randolph had been
accustomed to sit by this window and
smoke his after breakfast cigar, and that
often his wife sat with him. My false
gayety and the smile l had summoned
passed away together. However, I took
one of the cigars and lighted 1t. and sank
into my chair. Again my heart was ham
mering up into my throat.
Julian" she said, pathetically, yet
brightly, laying her hand on the arm of my
chair and looking at me with such earnest
ness that my gaze wavered, lit is Just
heaven to have you home again.
VIII