The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-11-19

Jul gOu YOU, arc the same,
more beautiful-uo older-than the
girl whose face has lived treasured in
my heart and memory, so fresh. so
radiant. so vivante, day and night since
that last time. Madame-fifteen years
ago, is it not?"
Yes" was all Lady Featherstone
could find to say in that moment OF
supreme emotional retrospect: Eyes,
fifteen years ago, NJ. Gressonier. |
think. 1t is long time. truly" she
added, with an odd little laugh, land
you sea-. am no longer girl, young
and romantic, but woman-a widow
with children. People change, NJ
Gressonier. Old feelings change"
"Ah, Madame-you say?" broke in
the Frenchman, pleadingly. mo, no;
1t is not so! The love of a mans life
changes not. But yet, 1t is true-a
young girl soon forgets!"
Not soon," she corrected. "You
went away. You did not return. l
married-as all girls in society must
do. | never expected'to see you again.
M Gressonier. Surely you do not
wish to reproach me-after all these
years."
She gave another little laugh en-
deayoring to place their Interview up
on more commonsense and conven-
uonal footing. The tension OF this
high level of sentiment oppressed her
as something bizarre-almost theatre
cal; and yet her heart responded like
sensitive instrument to the touch of
q musician, to every word, to every
tone of M. Gressonier. He perceived
her embarrassment and, with quick
adroitness, adapted his attitude to her
unspolIen wish.
Let me explain he said 81 to re-
proach you? No! | went from you
| Tor there was no other course open.
Then, when l would have returned.
heard you were married. Madame,
| learnt but week ago that you were
Il widow-and | am here! But why?
TO see you once again, to hear your
voice, to feel-it may be for the last
time, Madame-the pressure of your
fingers upon mine And, Madame. for
something else-to learn whether the
heart of a maiden can remain true
Tor fifteen years. Regard me, Mad
anne! am not young | am poor
alas, your eyes are eloquent; they
tell me much. 1t is true. | am a poor,
shabby old man. | should not have
come You have forgotten all-all. 1t
Is well. | will leave you, for have
learned what | wished to learn"
He .turned to go. Then a sudden
veil seemed lifted from Lady Feather
| stones eyes. She saw before her
no longer an addressed, middleaged
man, sunk, as it seemed, in poverty
ana failure, but the handsome, gallant
lover OF her youth, the man who had
loved her so long and faithfully. whom
once she had loved-ah, whom I'm her
heart she had never ceased to love
whom she loved still!
Yes, the truth came on her I'm that
instant with the thrill of an electric
shock-she loved him still. With a
quick shy gesture, she turned to the
shabby figure and held out both her
hands.
DO not leave nae" she said simply.
II love you!"
NJ Gressonier turned too, and light
lcaped into his eyes. lie became sud
denly erect, he looked ten years young
7, he seized her extended hands and
carried them again and again to his
lips.
"Ah, Madame" he murmured. ut is
too much. My love-my own true
love-"
IF marry you, said Lady Feather
stone, a few minutes later, 81 lose all
my money-yOu know that. PaulY'
"MCney!'-he stretched out his
hands, dcprecatlngly. what Of it? It
Is not your money-no IL is you your
self that | want, that have wanted
all, so long!" Then he looked at her
with a sudden anxiety. But your he
added st is a great sacrificed | am
so poor. You do not love me well
enough to give up your money?">
Lady Featherstone sighed. IL was
a great sacrifice. certainly. But she
loved him. After ALL so long as they
had enough TO live upon. She turn
ed her soft eyes upon Gressonier's
face.
Yes" she said, 81 will give UP
| everything for yOul"
There was curious smile up,n
| Gressoniers face as he drew her TO-
ward him and Kissed her revereutlv
| upon the forehead
Mon angel he whispered. "Alon
| angel Mon angel"
The suddcl Striking of the Ittle
! clock ON the mantelpicce awoke Lady
feathcrstone the next instant TO n
rude consciousness OF The realities .sf
life once more, and she rccolIectcd
mat I'm two hours she would have
to receive her guests.
II am giving a dinner party TO-
| night She began. and then STONED
in some confusion. glancing at NJ
! Grcssonicr's clothes lie noticed tho
glance and the smile on his lips flick
cred oddly
All he said. "a dinner party? THAT
Us so nice. / viii come. too. As if notgr
'Of course said Lady Feather
tone brayely; 'if you wish it,"
But added NJ. Grcssonicrs sud
den expression of doubt crossing his
features. 'my-my clothes. / fear
1t Is in effect that have not anv
dress clothes, he stammered But If
! may come just as I am