The daily tribune., 1907-07-13

the QuSky eyes.
One day-it was wild February
weather, and its depression was upon
the school room-one day the strange
ness OF those eyes seemed to hold
wildness rs well as gloom. She fail.
ed In lessons and seemed deaf to
questions and reproof, A teacher
asked II she were i'll again, She look,
ed at the questioner blankly, and an.
swered mo"
That evening the janitor swept
from the floor piece OF erumpled
newspaper. There was hardly more
than a paragraph upon it--a line or
two briefly stating that the player who
had been 30 popular early in last
season was in hospital at Chicago,
awaiting amputation of his leg, made
necessary by injuries received on the
diamond.
That night Valerie wrote an impas.
stoned letter imploring him to send
for her. She told him she would throw
her very life into the balance and
leave all for him-all for only word
1t was foolish letter, full of school.
girl heroics. and sentences learned
from lurid novels, but there were
months of heart-breaking in 1t! She
was still young enough to love like
that-and she loved him.
1t was foolish schoolgirls letter.
but when 1t came to him as he lay on
his cot, facing the ruin of his future,
and waiting-when 1t came impas.
stoned tear-blotted, pouring out her
wild love for him-he held 1t beneath
his cheek with two thin hands, and
forgot she was but a child mislead,
and thought what might have been of
life and love.
She had not long to look for his an
swer. though the task was difficult
upon his cot, and the time for waiting
past. And he told her gently: No"
He repeated his worthlessness, show.
ed her the whole of his misspent life,
told her the whole truth about her
idol-and that she must forget. He
asked her to forgive him, and forbade
her to seek him. He could marry no
one now-and he loved her. Thus he
made his poor attempt at reparation.
In the passing of the years, Vale.
rie ceased to search the papers for It'd
ings, for she grew older. and she knew
at length that his day of little fame
was long since done. She grew older.
and the piteous something in her eyes
faded, and they hardened. She was
woman now, beautiful woman but
with weary curve on the red lips.
and carelessness of friendship In
her cold heart.
Then Fred came-and loved her.
The pain was old, and yet at first she
suffered freshly. But she saw the
end. Fred was true and noble, ten.
der heart, firm will. faithful love.
and she knew he was honored among
men. She did not resist him. She
grew fond of Fred, and used to him,
and when he asked her she consented
quietly.
She wore his ring and grew fonder
Of him. His kiss no longer set that
icy hand upon her heart. She was
used to that, also-after a time.
The day grew near. She was ac.
cuatomed to the thought. Fred was
dear fellow. She had not been so
weary since his coming. The thought
of the marriage was restful now
Fred was so kind, so tender.
One day he found her sitting alone
In the twilight An open book was
upon her knee, and a last beam OF
evening light falling on pictured
face. 1t was only the photograph OF
noted actor, but in 1t was shadowy
trace of an old resemblance-and her
eyes were seeing phantoms when he
gently lifted her face to his.
"A fine fellow" he said. "a splen.
did engraving. We will see him when
he comes again.
She closed the book swiftly and
drew out OF his sheltering arms as II
to lay It In its place. When she re.
turned she met his eyes once more.
1t was only few days, then, until
she WAS Fred's wife. She was young
once more, but the girl had forever
vanished. Fred's wife was a woman,
tender. grave. and she loved Fred
but 1t was different.
Only few weeks Fred's wife al
ready more content, better. Drawer,
happier And then. one day. she lift.
ed paper In an Idle moment, and on
an obscure page read that Nick was
dead.
Only n line-a bare, cold statement.
He had never wholly recovered from
that old shock-and was dead.
She was alone for an hour all alone.
and It was better 80. An hour alone,
an hour knecling with her face In
the pillows-a silent hour OF memory
memory OF the old days and the
girls folly.
She clung TO Fred that night, and
her eyes were starry with their touch
OF sadness She drew his chair upon
the hearth, and there she nestled upon
her husbands heart His arms we're
strong and tender. and he kissed her
and spoke loving words.
She loved Fred-and tho mat was