The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14
.(Copyright, 1908, by the National Pres.
AgcncyO
It seeined as IL the day were ono
Sent from beyond the skies,
Which shed to earth above the sun
A light OF Paradise.


A light OF Paradise
She, fair and bright az tho glorious
sumuer-t time. stood leaning against tho
rustic gate that opened OH to the road
way by the river; large sun-hat, In
which she had twined a wreath Of
wild flowers, was on her dainty head
bunch OF crimson poppies In her
hand--contrasting wildly with her
simple white frock.
She was an artistic little beauty, a
perfect gcntlewoman in manners and
tastes yet she only lived in cottage
atfwnrt which, Notwithstanding the
sunshine OF her presence. the~cloud of
a dark mystery ever hung With
omnous suspense. The neighbors
avoided Larkspur Cottage, as 1t was
oddly callcd--avoided It without being
able to give any very definite reason,
for Suslc's beauty and pretty winning
ways were attractive rather than re-
pellent, and Mrs. Pyle. her sad faced,
gentle mother. with whom she lived,
had surely naught hidden among her
Gentleness and her many acts of char
ity, to make folk do otherwise than
wish TO cultivate so cdifying an ac-
quaintance.
Yet they passed by on tho other
side.
Castle, from whom Larkspur Cottage
was rtnted-herself a widow, with a
list of worries In the shape OF nl-
merous and extrayagant progcny--who
lad given the cue which, taken by the
entire neighborhood. meant ostracism
Tor pretty Susie Pyfe anc Ter mother.
What did Lady Maxwell know
people asked.
Lady Maxwell replied that she knew
nI,
Pyle fns not one OF them. and to in
clude an outsider in the intimacy OF
country life would be an abomination
When she let the cottage to Mrs Pyle
she did not know she had n daughter
the girl was at school. Now she had
come home. and was-well, yes
prctty-it would be sheer madness tc
notice them
j was going TO ask them to my
croauet party next week" said Mrs
Destrees. the lady inquirer.
NO. no-not on any account; you
will regret 1T IL you do
Il am not 80 sure. Like to be kind
to young girls: but then. OF course. /
have not got sons as you have"
They were driving together in Lady
MaNwclfs barouche when this momen
tous question was raised, and they
passed along the roadway by the rive,
CO A'u''V fshNcO tiIs Sdle.
Look" said Mrs. Destrees. SIS she
not lovely?"
And she knows 1t! Got up for Of.
fcct--she might be an actress; and
there must be he somewhere
Poor child She Is little over six.
teen. Really. Lady Maxwell. you ar,
too badn'
"Not at all. 1 am not severe on an,
woman as a rule: but always had the
flair for detecting an adventures"
THAT little girl--an adventuress?'
cor her prompting mother"
Poor little Susie! / am sorry sh.
has come under the ban of your dis
pleasure. She strikes me 'as being
very simple and guilelcss.'
The last words came out in n kind o
spasm, which might have been ac
counted for by the carriage giving
jerk, as 1t passed quickly over SOM
stones. only suddenly Mrs. Destrec:
looked exceedingly amused. She was
humorous, genial woman. and she wa
by no means devoid of tact
slight splash In the water hat
made her look In the direction Of thu
river, where. above some reeds, she ha
seen not only n mans head, but slit
had recognized the man.
Instead OF exclalming. as most wo
men would have done. she only locke,
very steadfastly ut Lady Maxwell, who
however, perfectly ignorant of the proS
unity of any man, went plodding oil
In her somewhat prosy harangue a
TO why Mrs. Fyfe. not being fitted 70
county society. was TO be sent to Gov
entry. Mrs. Destrees meanwhile, In
tensely amused at the situation, ant
resolved, If possible. to be an activ