The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-02-15

/ was a grey oval III Inc surrounding
gloom.
Suddenly I heard a sob-an un-
mistakable sob Strange sounds
greeted me; SMILES and sobs and
slight rustlings on every hand; the
whole house was in tears! Plainly
the play was an affecting one; /
almost wished ! had given it my at
tention
Unconsciously l extended my hand
across the little space that divided
MS. 1t rested on a fold of her dress.
/ heard another sob, and then-a
little warm hand, tightly clutching
damp handkerchief, rested on
mine
MY heart leaped into my throat;
then it subsidized and beat convul-
siyely For a bare instant the hand
remained. Then it nuttered away,
and I heard startled gasp from it's
owner.
y beg your pardon!" I whispered
entreatingly.
There was no reply. Of course
she was terribly offended; / could
expect nothing else Perhaps she
was alarmed
Madam" / whispered. 'I had
no intention Of annoying you. It
1T was all an accident, believe me.
II my presence alarms you-if it
causes YOU any annoyance, will
leave instantly"
There was moment of silence.
The actors on the dimly-lighted
stage driveled on
pray, don't leave on my ac-
count" said my neighbor in low,
mufiied tones. 81 assure you your
presence does not affect me in the
least.
1t sounded as though she was
holding her handkerchief before her
mouth. The tones were deliberately
Indifferent. l wish she hadn't put
1t in just that way.
On the stage affairs had so compli-
Gated themselves by this time that
speedy curtain was inevitable.
found myself awaiting the moment
that the lights should go up and re-
veal my neighbor to me with some
thing approaching fear.
And then-then the curtain de-
scended, there was a wild Outburst
of applause. and the lights aared
into radiance.
For a moment I sat mOtionless
and blinked my eyes. 1t would not
do to turn at once; it might seem
impertinent / would rather study
my programme for a moment, Or
by Jove! of course, I'd rescue her
glasses.
| leaned forward with down
stretched hand, when-bump-our
heads were again in collision. What
an awkward brute she would think
me!
Il beg your pardon!" / repeated,
and lifted my head.
Then my brain swan. l closed
my eyes and opened them again to
see if l was dreaming. But, no, it
was no deIusion; l was staring
straight into the eyes of the dearest
girl in the world.
"Sylvia!" l gasped.
Sylvia's eyes, dimmed with recent
tears, disappeared behind long
lashes.
"Sylvia!" I murmured. "You?"
Sylvia's brown head nodded.
But how came you here?" I
whispered eagerly, ioyously.
Il was coming with auntie; but
she has a cold; and $3.50 1 came
alone.
And the man sold me this seat;
and the cabman brought me here
instead of taking me to Waterloo.
And-and it was you all the time!"
| gazed rapturously into Sylyia's
eyes, A sudden thought struck me.
Sylvia, did you--did you know
who ] was?"
She nodded
"Do you know, dear" I whispered,
81 was going abroad tomorrow?
Were your" she asked. With
averted eyes.
Eyes.
"And-and aren't you-Dow?"
sylvia, do you want me to-"
She shook her tiny head
seized her hand, needless of who
might be watching.
Darling" l whispered, intensely.
And then and then the blessed
lights went out again.--New York
News.