The Cairo bulletin., 1908-05-21
The lantalus Of the Eire

seen Muriel for a wear, she had bees
abroad. Once, indeed. had hear,
from her when there came gift
week after Christmas with her card
Please accept even though | an
a little late II Muriel had ont
been speaking of an, Mnriei Mu
riel,
scribbler, she ah, who woult
give the girl he loves economy 70
luxury, but perhaps | hoped. Per
haps | should write novel. tn,
great phantasmic novel and per
haps platonics would prove the en-
trance way to love.
Perhaps perhaps And that wa:
why ! stood there In trepidatiN 2
year Is a long time.
In the library | sat by the fire
The swapping flames builded pal.
ace of dreams the Riviera with
blue skies, the green of the grass
the gold OF the sunshine. the song ol
the birds. the soft strings OF man
dolin, our villa
$hh' AZ itty hdlhlA ftdkIe. lIlDD-
cent, brilliant, rose, soft perfumed
splendid, Gods handiwork, leaning
over my shoulder reading the great
novel; surely, palace OF Dreams
Tantalus Of the Fire
She put her slim hand in mine.
Jarvis It's good to gee you. F."
Il am still the same Jarvis dear
] hope. And are YOU still the same
Mpriel?"
Yes" she said. very softly. Eek
cept that ! am the happiest girl In
the world Oh! Jarvis. you shall
know first of all I'm engaged"
Engaged ?"tI asked, quietly. so
quietly that ! wonder now
The Tantalus OF the Fire smiled
as I leaned forward grasping the
vanishing Muriel A log snapped,
the blaze died away. Something In
me snapped, too the fire of my life
went out
"Oh, Jarvis. wish me happiness"
she begged almost sadly
'Happiness!" said Il wish you
the greatest happiness In the world
We have been such friends. such
comrades, that gladly | pray you
may have entrance to the land OF
the Hearts Desire, to keep you. to
guard ySu. to save you from sadness
and sorrow
Jacks a dear ! have told him
about you; he wants to know you;
he's upstairs; shah / bring him
down." 49,
No" ] said. III you don'f mind
Wen postpone, that I'm Just in town
for an hour. and must rush in q
moment to catch my train: II goes
al s." "
oh! I'm sorry. cant you stay
with US for time at least; you can
chum with Jack.."
81 fear not"
I'm sure you'll like him" she
concluded
When I'm married." she said.
tlmidly almost, "yo,i must come aud
spend . month with us !" @
How could /? How could | not?
Then suddenly the clock began TO
chime one-two- three-four- five.
oh! you've missed your train"
she said.
There was no train" l said =
Heaven forgive me.
Then YOU don't want to meet
him?" she asked all sad d
Il could not yet, Good-by," said
quickly. and took her hand aud
kissed It, gently. very. very gently.
She drew back half frightened
on! Jarvis, how could youg"
How could | not?' said, bro
kenlyy Hbut, Muriel. dear, shalt be
your friend always always. Il
pledge you Godspeed for your flu
.ure Forget me, forget that loved
you, because 4. is my sorrow deep
Town in my heart that I was not
strong enough TO be strong"
Forget you!" che said, and there
we're tears In her eyes Forget my
Jarvis, my best friend. the best
friend woman ever had, faithful.
honest, strong, true, always unselfish
forget my Jaryis!" and she leaned
forward and kissed me on the fore
head.
AS walked away ! looked back
and saw the tears sparkling In her
eyes. And the memory other was
30 strong upon me that bowed my
head and sobbed and sobbed,
The great novel is still unwritten.
Aiuriel is still dainty, fragile, limo
cent and Jack is a splendid man
see them both good deal and Mu-
-iel still calls me dear Jarvis.
I have given up smoking and
nave not been to the theater for
many day, but at least 1ittle Mpriel
md little Jarvis have all manner OF
wonderful toys and love their Uncle
Jarvis
They climb on my knee and ask
ne TO tell them OF my wonderful
,aIace across the sea. And tell
hem OF the Riviera with blue skies,
,lue seas, the green grass, the gold
II the sunshine. the song Of the
,irds. the soft tremolo OF q mando-
In, my villa with lady dainty. 4
ragile, innocent, brilliant, rose.
oft perflimed, splendid. leaning over
NY shoulder reading Uncle JarSis's
treat novel All tIthe Tantalas OF thu