The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-05
BY RI BYa MI. AYlREs,
Author OF g The Conquest Of ehe Curate,""
g The Master of the Chase" = g Number
Four" The Right Sort Of Love- &c.

Sbo " W. - ~ /
witt, severe cold Ills throat was
could find no voice to answer when
| the sister OF 'Lisbcth knocked at hia
door with the shaving water. He cnmc
down to breakfast feeling decidedly
|miserable, and to make matters worse
the sun shone rndinntly.
1t Is bad enough to fool III when all
things are conducive to stay by the
fire and be cosy; but when tho sun
shines, and tho birds sing, and the ap-
pies that ovct1s,lanE tho wall opposite
your window seem to nod and beckon
to you to como out, 1t Is enough to
make q milder man than Adam Win
stOn lose his temper, and swear. 8
Winston did not swear, but he lost
his temper sadly. If only he could get
into the sunshine, he told himself, ho
would feel all right. but when he
had only got so far as the front door
his head swan 80 he was glad enough
to go back to his armchair, where he
sat and sulked for the rest OF the day.
In the afternoon 'Lisbeth, who had
been village nurse in her young
days. came over to call on her sister;
and the sister brought her into tho
front room. where Winston sat with
pains all over him, and announced that
she bad brought some one who was "as
good as doctor any day."
'Lisbeth. q fat, kindly-faced soul,
looked at him. and felt his pulse in the
most business-like way.
ITS queer thing she said. shaking
her head, but he looks for all the
world like Miss Eden. There she lays,
Just las 's's a-layin' Winston WINGED
flushed and hot. and full Of pains.
It's my belief''-she eyed Wins
ton sternly-"lts my belief that you've
both been out In the rain or got your
feet wet"
Winston was a truthful man. but he
shook his head vigorously.
The two women eyed him with con-
cerned faces
You're not so bad as Miss Eden,
though" said 'Lisbeth. "And her only
Just got over scarlet fevcr........ It's
enough to kill her"
A sudden fear shook Winston. He
had not said that he hoped she would
not take cold.
In the morning, thanks to onion Cruel
and hot bottles Winston was much
better. He came down to breakfast
feeling almost cheerful
How Is Miss Eden? No better!
Dear. dear! .
The afternoon and evening seemed
interminable. Winston wandered about
the room. In his wanderings he came
across his writing case. 1t was an
inspiration He took 1t to the table
and sat down.
"Mr. Adam Winston presents his
compliments to Miss Eve Eden. and
regrets to hear that she is indisposed.
{. He fears the Garden OF Eden
must have been slightly damp"
When he had written 1t for the
fourth time he bad another inspiration.
=. Mr.. Winston is herewith
sending a copy OF one OF his own
books. which he hopes will prove in
teresting and amusing"
Finally he scratched out the last
two words and wrote the whole thing
again. Then from his bookcase he
selected what he humbly considered
the least embarrassing of his works.
when viewed from what he imagined
would be the girls point OF View. and
DIG 1t up ms brown paper parcel with
the note. Then he bribed the small
and only son of his landlady to take
1t to the Orchard House for him.
The girl was very Ill, and 1t was
four days-long days of suspense they
were to Winston. B. A-before an an
Miss Eve sends her compliments to
MIR. Adam. and would like to see him.
Mr.. Adam went. He found the girl
propped up on sofa by fire.
What have you been doing with
yourself?" she asked, as he crossed the
room to her side. You look quite H."
The answer he had given her once
before to the same question rose to
his lips: II have been studying but
when he got to the last word he
changed 1t. II have been Worrying
he said.
"Worrying?" she echoed.
Yes" said Winston. B. A. He
looked at her pale, delicate little face.
and the dark shadows about her eyes.
about you" he added.
oh" said the girl. softly.
The next afternoon Winston called
at the Orchard House again. and Lis
beth brought them tea In the low,
fireit room.
Winston manipulated the teapot with
awkward, unaccustomed fingers. and
toasted the crumpets at the red. glow
ing fire. 1t was rather like arepetf-
tion Of King Alfred and the cakes.
but the girl did not seem to mind.
;; II shall miss you whenI go back
home" she said.
Lisbeth had carried away the tea
tray. and the girl was lying back on
! her cushions, her cheek resting on her
hand looking at Winston across the
hrelit space between tham.5 n
Winston moved his chair back an
inch or two SO that his face was in
| shadow.
II suppose. you will be returning
very soon?" he said formally.
"As soon as am we'll enough 70
go out" said the girl. MY sister is
going to be married next month" she
added. "And then II will be my turn
ITO be married ?"'ahe questioned,
Eyes. 81. / have three sisters.
and mother married. them all before
they were twenty-five. am am
\ twenty"
and l am thirty-eight." said Win
lston. and wondered what made him
say 1t. 3l8
II should have thought you were
more" said the girl, ainnocently.
"Loneliness ages a man said Win
ston, simply.
The girl lifted her head.a little and
tried to see his face. y OIL told me
4 that you had never been lonely" she
| M