Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-02-21
AN EXPECTED
LETTER.
BY W. Titterton.

Destiny chatting At the street cor
ner, Four destiniesl Presently they
would part, and then rap-rap, at the
doors. and they would push lie OF
death into the letter-box.
Did they know. these impressive
cattle, did they know there We're peo-
pie looking at them whose nerves
We're on edge with anticipation
They were laughing lie felt tempt
sd to imagine they knew.
What sacrifices should he make TO
the gods that they might hasten their
messengers?
20 Destiny, Destiny, quicken thy
chariot, though the wheels pass over
and crush me-"
They seemed TO hear him, for they
started apart with farewell gestures.
One went straight down the long
main road. one passed under the
window, one vanished toward the
door OF the hotel.
The man at the window stood
playing with the curtain rings. pull
ing the curtains to and fro
The waiter would bring 1t up with
the coffee. If 1t were there. II notl---
Gle smiled at the prospect-his faco
was almost set into smiling)
When he had come home las
night Madam had pushed her head
and arms through the spy hole and
eyed him sourly His stern, trem
bling greeting had only got curt
"B'soir!" AS he climbed the stairs,
stumbling he had felt her sharp
glance at his back. When he turned
at the landing she was still LOOKING
up at him. She had been on the vergs
OF asking. He was sure of it. As he
passed the box he had seen whit
paper between her fingers.
Why wasn't the waiter here?
Past eight, and all the shops open
Monsieur the friseur, white-ap-
roned, the sleeves rolled up, stood
bulkily in his doorway; Monsieur the
patissier was setting out his window
becoming distinct in the picture be.
hind the glass, placing his cakes and
becoming blurred again. In the little
cremerie, benches full or men and
women swallowed their three sous
worth OF chocolate or cafe au lait;
the busy hostess passed and repassed
with her smoking bowls why was
II so late7) two, three. four,
FIVE. six, numberless lines OF tele-
graph wires over the housetops A
forlorn rag OF kite. entangled IN
them, struggled to get free. IL was
going 10 rain
The man at the window stretched
himself, yawning. lie felt as one does
after seasickness. Surprising he went
down to fetch It? He couldn't 80.
A group of people In the street
were
Here he came. No, the heavy tread
went past the door and up to the top
story. He could hear them moving
about on the floor below. and voices
murmuring.
Perhaps they would keep the let
teri Nonsense; why should theyf
They couldn't get the money
lie must do something to fill up
the time.
Taking down pen from the
splashed cardboard rack, and an Ink
pot and paper from behind the glass
Gagged clock on the mantelpiece, he
sat down at the rickety table.
Dear F. he wrote, II have no
money.
"The reprieye, or the death war
rant or both, will come DIP with the
coffee. I hope they will make that
coffee strong. They are always gener-
Gus, says the common report. with
the last meal of condemned-th
being no fear of Indigestion, sup
pose.
Forgive me II / am theatrical Il
Is trick of the nerves-a trick. lei
me confess, that / am thankful for
One must strut 1t bravely before
these blackguards.
Meanwhile my friend the waiter
Is mounting the staircase. Yes. sir,
actually mounting. DO you not hear
him cross the footllghts7 He rat
ties confoundedly with his coffee
cups. Is It the weight OF those two
missives that makes him unsteady3
HAL he knocks.
Come I'M
He enters. No word.
Thank you
silently he puts the tray on the
table and retires. Shall I look up?
Would you like to know soon what
is or are lying beside the crescent
breadlets7 Well, I will satisfy your
lmpatience. / viii raise an eye"
He looked up-and turned sud
denly white and haggard. The mo
mont after he bent again.
II have looked. There is one pa
per. without en- envelope. Neatly
doubled. They are discreet people
It is under the coffee-pot an &c
, drink my coffee first"
He poured out cup with only one
unsteady Jerk, which sent a ting
splash upon the white-metal tray. su
CARED, stirred, and slipped It,
"Deliciousl They have doubled
the strength"
He drank the coffee in tiny sips.
"Good-by! Shall / tell you tn,
amount? No; why put you to tn;
trouble Of forgetting the silly nun
bers. Besides. / have not looked yet
There is still half cup Of coffee II
the pot"