Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-05

double row of them burning some dis
lance down the mountainside Then
on the right on austere giSnt Pilatus.
its shaggy head crowned with stars.
other lights blazed. And then. very
far OF. up IN the silence of the SHOWS
one solitary beacon light shone like a
star. steadily and alone. THIS little
light comforted me. though II giowed
e from the very region OF the tragedy
liked 70 think 70 an emblem of hope.
Out Of the gloon and despair Il burned
steadily. IL gave me a sort of courage.
Ny elbow was iogged. and not with
Difference
Pardon. but this seat As reserved
II was a waiter who spoke. and he
was insolent But 7 answered quietly
Il was given this place by another
waiter. There was no placard on the
table nor we're the chairs turned up.
Why do you say Il is reseryed7"
AS [ asked this question I glanced
over my shoulder TO see for whom the
man was demanding my place
On the steps leading 70 the terrace
from the diningroom stood two ladies'
One OF them was a handsome. distSn
guished woman well passed middle
age. and saying that OF her. one has
said everything.
OF the other. one might say every.
thing. ana yer feel that one had said
nothing. II was not the air or proud
distinction that arrested my gaze. for
she shared that quality with the
other. II was not that she was mere
ly young and beautiful Other women
are young and beautiful IL was rather
that there breathed from the quiet
presence Of this woman a noble seren-
ity and calm that Is as adorable as II
is rare. The assured. direct look OF
her eyes was truth itself She had
not seen me She looked beyond the
lake-at the solitary little beacon
light that bad comforted me only a
moment ago.
I gave up my scat at once. OF
course. walked slowly 90 The end
of the terrace. and took a less desir-
able place.
I refused 90 allow myself % be Inter
ested in these people. And yet I was
strangely interested in them IL was
as 81 I were waiting when my elbow
was again touched. felt no surprise.
TO was the waiter who had spoken 70
me moment before.
"Pardon-the ladies who took your
seat"
I turned abruptly.
The younger OF the two women had
risen. She stood az the table leaning
forward slightly. her expression az
once startled and eager. To my aston
ishmcnt she was smiling nc me radi-
antly. a smile OF charming surprise
and welcome But as I stared at her
stupidity the smile was succeeded BY
an expression OF dismay. she adj
dressed Che elder woman in an agi-
ated whisper. Her lips we're parted
ira sheer wonder
Wonder held me spcllbound as well
as they. T turned vaguely 10 the
waiter. He had already left my side.
summoned imperiousiy. no doubt. hy
the ladies who had certainly mistaken
me Tor another
] had half risen. Now I seated nv
sef again. aud every nerve uurlod
with excitement The adventure was
not vet ended; was sure OF IT, Aud
Z welcomed the diversion. even though .
pain and humiliation were 90 be IT'S
price. had come 90 Lucerne on q 7
momentary impulse. so thought. 4
What 10 fate had guided that impulses 1.
For the third time the waiter spoke .
20 me. I looked uD at him calmly: P
had known De would come
The ladies' wish 90 speak 90 mon /
sieur. u MONSIEUR SIS az liberty"
The summons had come. as knew .
that Il would drew in a deen
breath. Ny heart was beating fast.
though outwardly 7 was calm enough. /
I turned; I advanced toward them.