The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-10-14

PAL N, DToohlyu, gazing dI the HOW-
err beds that stretched before him;
and gazing at them memories of his
far away home stole into his heart
and resolved themselves into a
song. 1t was pathetic song, and
he sang it with cadence that
compelled the very trees to listen;
even Mozart on his pedestal SEEM
ed attentive.
And his song was no sooner end
ed, when before him appeared a
girl with auburn hair and large
hazel eyes. i.
Pardon the improperly of a
strange girl" she said; 'but, the
sounds Of my native language. so
sweetly intoned, have poured into
my troubled heart the comfort in
vain search of which l have been
wandering here all day. l thank
you for 1t, and. please, allow me to
speak few words with you" And
before he had time to reply, she
began:
Il was born in Kiev. Six years
ago l came to the United States.
Carelessly l plunged myself into
the whirlpool of American life,
dreaming some day to shine in ex-
elusive social circles. Russian
young men by the dozen were sigh.
ing for my love; but l was deter
mined to marry an American"
We'll, marry an American l did.
But with the marriage terminated
my happiness, died all the hopes
Of my youth. My husband mistreat-
ed me in every way and failed to
provide for me. Then one night
he gathered up all our jewelry and
left me. Alone" A sob interrupt
ed her. In the exile's heart swell
ed pity and sympathy, but before
he had time to shape them into
words, she resumed:
This" and she drew from her
purse a beautiful watch and fob,
this only remains to me. In the
hurry of his flight he dropped it,
Falling, the crystal was broken, as
were broken the golden chains Of
hope and happiness. At first l cher
ished it as souvenir of shattered
hopes; but now the possession of
it has become painful to me. Please
take it from me; relieve me of 1t
as your song has relieved the heav-
mess that had been weighing all
day on my heart"
Automatically he took the watch,
and held 1t in his hand, perplexed
and embarrassed. A tear was
glistening on the broken crystal,
then spread itself along the cracks.
He wiped it away with his hand.
kerchief, and said
But why should you give it
away, when you can sell it,
Sell it," she sighed. "Ah, sir,
how little you know-yet," and the
tremor of her voice deepened, IF
you refuse to take it otherwise, |
will accept trifling amount. just
to give 1t the aspect of sale"
But" he said. five dollars is all
have with me-"
"All?" she cried. why it's alto
gether too much, and | have no
change. | thank you very much"
She put the money into her purse
and brushing away the tears from
her eyes walked away with bowed
head.
He looked after her until she dis
appeared among the trees, then he
looked at the watch "a souvenir
of shattered hopes the phrase
sank into his heart and deepened
the sadness that already pervaded
it. He became restless; the still
ness and the serenity of the park
irritated him, and he started to-
ward the car that was approaching
the entrance Of the park.
All the way he held his hand in
his pocket; pressing the watch in
the palm of his hand, his fingers
feeling the cracks of the broken
crystal. Thoughts without num-
Der, and confusing, surged in his