The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-12-28

/ Story Pub. COD
her with a JOY that made life some
new existence.
That night as she lay awake,
through the deep shadows Ga her listle
room rose bright visions such aa the
woman with the baby al her breast
had intimated.
There was the big house with the
massive steps leading into it. and in-
side, where she had stolen glimpses
OF wonderful sights through the gauzy
curtains at the great windows. she
fancied herself standing in the midst.
deeked in shimmering silks and spark.
ling jewels. With heart beating load.
er and blood surglng through her
veins, she fancied him beside her. hia
laughing blue eyes bent upon her. his
soft caressing voice repeating the
word that had put all these dreams ii
her head.
All next day she was thrilled with
delicious ecstasy. All, but the perver
sity Of things-her father was too IN
to 80 on his rounds that evening, ana
the little piano sat In its dark corr
ner alone, and Rita pouted on the
doorstep The next night he could
not go, and the next; then she grew
desperate she would 60 alone.
II was after dark when she lefa
the Italian quarter ana began 10 wan.
der through the streets she was AZ.
customed to follow with her father.
until at last she came TO where there
was a spaciousness that made her
breathe freer A few more squares.
and the big, white houses began 10
loom up in front Of her She was
In front Of the one now, ana with q
trembling in her limbs she stopped IN
front Of the tall, massive steps looking
into the great, brightly lighted wins
dows.
There was no one on the steps, al
It was past the time when they would
watch for the street-piano, SO creeping
closer in the dark grass, she stood be.
meath the windows where the fragrant
vines futtered in she evening breeze.
Suddenly there hoated outupon her
ear low strains of a waltz; somebody
was playing close to the window be.
meath which she was standing. Ali
they could have music whether hes
father came or not. she thought with
pang Of jealousy. The rough stones
projected temptingly through the
thick masses Of foliage, ana etepping
upon one she caught hold Of The bal
ustrade above and pulled herself IN
reach Of the window.
A beautiful picture met her eyes.
such as she had seen only in the the
ater with the same soft lights. ana
furniture all white and gold. There
was lady playing the piano she haa
heard, dressed in shimmering silk ana
sparkling jewels, with him alde her.
Just as the woman with the baby hi
her arms had pictured. only rita had
been in the place Of the lady, and at
the thought Of that her heart beat
faster, and when the music stopped Q
little ear was pressed closer among
the vines to hear what he was say.
ing. But the language was strange.
and she did not understand until
Oh, God! from his lips iioated out
upon the quiet evening air one word
that made the listeners heart turn
to stone, as with whitened face ana
hands clutching the cold balustraae.
she heard thS word that had brought
her nfe's happiness and is doom.
Sweetheart"
With low cry the Ittle Halian'a
hands loosened their grasp upon the
stone and she fell with a thump npon
the pavement below.
When they picked her up they saw
that she was quite dead Il vas =
slight fall. but she had struck her
head against the edge OF the stone
step, and death had been lnstantane.
ous. No one seemed to recognize her
until the young man. came cut oe
the house and remembered she
the girl who came every evening vita
an old man and a street-plano, and as
he bent over the stark little figure
stretched on the cold stone, a strange.
vague idea caused shade Of regret
to pass over his handsome face. ana
It was some time after they had car.
ried her beyond, in the dark and
silent street. that the old smile came
back again.
ffs. - fttt n. F,-