The Washington herald., 1908-01-30

BY CHESTER HARRINGTON

We sat in the big, dim library, watch
ing the gray day come 10 its gray end.
Dusk had made us confidential PhiTipa
had thrice asked # didn't want a light,
and had thrice received the same mega
tive answer. I was loath TO spoil the
condolences.
Now, honestly, Tod" said Phillipa,
wasn't there ever a girl In your life who
was different from the rest-wasn't
there one who made you think and feel
and plan as you had never thought, or
felt, or planned before? In short, Tod,
at some time in your life hasn't The
Girl put in an appearance?'
leaned forward eagerly
My dear Phillipa, you certainly
know"
"Bosh" snapped she. II know Just
the silly speech you were going 10 make.
I don't mean that boy and girl affair OF
ours you are always pleased TO be so
facetious about. l mean hasn't there
been real bit OF romance?"
I pretended TO think portentously. Then
I sighed
Confession is good for the soul" said
l. Therefore, III confess. Yes. Phil
lips, there was one"
7 knew it, knew it," said Phnlipa.
gleefully. And you've never told me
about it in all these years." she went on
chidlngly. We'll. sir, open your heart
now. and disgorge the whole romance"
I laid my half-consumed, cigar in an
ash tray. and settled myself comfort
ably,
Il think It was something like eight
years ago 7 first met her. 1 began.
Eight years ago. echoed Phlllipa.
And not a word OF it to me in all this
time.
"she was very young then As I say
met her and fell in love with her"
What was she hke?" demanded Phil
lipa.
she was very beautiful and she was
dressed IN blue"
PhIlipa laughed THE first is very
definite and the second is very impor-
tant." she observed mockingly.
She was dressed in blue" I repeated
sternly. 1T is important. I shall carry
that color to my grave"
How romantic" said she.
so you said she remarked impa-
tiently, but what made you fall in love
with herr"
"The blue dress and her smile" said
l. 1T was a most wonderful smile. It
opened up worlds you'd never dreamed
Of 1 remember when I first saw her
she seemed different from all the other
girls I'd ever seen. My heart slipped its
moorings then and there. I could never
call it my own afterward. II was hers"
Did she know it," asked PhilIipa,
II can't say" said 1. Sometimes I
think she did, and again 1 think she
didn't"
why didn't you find out?" she de-
manded.
7 intended TO in time, but I only knew
her year when" paused.
when what?" said Phillipa with a
fine disregard of grammar.
she died" I said very softly.
"Oh" said Phillipa; and then for a
time we were silent.
4 was very. very lonely after that.
Nothing was the same, There was
great aching void in life that nothing
could ILL.,
why haven't you ever mentioned her
before?" she asked.
well, It's rather painful"
"Of course" she said quickly. For
give me"
'If the little girl in blue had lived.
Phillipa," said !, 81 think my life would
have been very different. I know it
would have been far happier She was
such a quiet. trusting little soul. She
knew nothing Of the world, nor of
money nor of ambition. She, I think.
was quite content with me. and 1 was
more than content with her
And you'll always be loyal to her-or
to her memory" asked she
Always" said /, emphatically.
We were silent again for time.
Dear little girl in blue" I murmured.
'Tm-I'm awfully sorry, Tod" she
said simply.
Perhaps I'd better explain that she
didn't really die" said I. ITO other peo-
pie she simply changed-grew In mind
and in worldly knowledge; but TO me she
died"
OH said Phillipa meaningly.
she wanted more worlds 10 conquer
when she grew" I went on. "She was
no longer content with me. Instead Of
my simple little girl In blue. there came
a proud. ambitious woman, who demand
ed all the world could give-money, posi-
ton. power.
Did she get them?" asked Phillipa.
They were offered to her"
why didn't she take them them" she
said
THAT ] don't know" said I.
Perhaps she grew tired of bride and
ambition" said Phillipa. Perhaps there
were times when she wanted to be Just
the little girl in blue again" u
I wonder, said I musingIy.
Let's have a light" said Phillipa-
.Don.tn said ] ~ xunnAsr II Sic diA !