Morris tribune., 1909-06-05
A SAD OCTOBER HOUR


park woman was standing, leaning
one elbow against the stone edge of
the balustrade and wistfully regarding
the autumnal foliage
The woman's face was full of happy
expectation. 1t was no longer very
young or fresh, but it was still Of
charm and tenderness. Under her hat
the glossy waves Of her hair were
scarcely touched with gray thread.
Mrs. Chesney was conscious that in
taste and education she belonged to a
different epoch from that of the lively
guests, round her. They were absolute
~ modern, and she had very little in
common with them. Since her hus-
bands death she had lived quietly
and almost alone in country house,
gardening, studying, working for the
poor. When at last she had made up
her mind to accept the invitation Of a
cousin of her husbands the effort had
been painful and depressing. She had
grown shier and more silent in those
years of quietude. Even in her new
fashioned clothes she somehow looked
Of different world from that of Miss
Vincent and Lady Norledge, who were
the beauties Of the party.
"My dear, she Is essentially early
Victorian was the verdict Of the live
~ Lady Norledge as she discussed
Mrs. Chesney with friend. But now
on this October afternoon, standing
alone in the fieeting sunshine and
among the falling leaves, Mrs. Ches-
ney felt young, triumphant and abso-
lutely Indifferent to the opinions Of
every living soul excepting those of the
person whose advent she was await
ing
She had felt as if she were in a
dream when her host few days ago
had announced the approaching ar
rival of new and distinguished guest.
The name Of General Trebovir was in
everybody's mouth.
Some ten years ago Hilary had part
ed from this man with an anguish that
was no less unbearable because she
had known that his love for her was
as strong as her own and perhaps even
the motive for much that was noblest
and best in his life. During those
years, which had seemed an eternity,
these two had held no communication
with one another.
This had been her wish alone, for he
had strongly maintained that, unhap-
PLY married as she was, a friendship
SO pure and devoted as his for her
must at least make it easier for her
to exist under what was too heavy
load for a solitary woman. But she
had remained firm, and he had gone
away in bitterness of spirit. Now, to.
day she felt sure he was coming here
for her, and her alone, and she was
joyfully waiting.
Then, though she could not help no
tfcing how gorgeous the chrysanthe.
NUNS seemed as the sunlight fell in
long streak across their faces, she
knew that he was coming down the
steps at the corner and straight to-
ward her. Her knees were shaking,
tuClC vas q SuA SAu61uS III uC1
ears, through which she heard his
pleasant voice speaking. Half me-
chemically she put out both her hands.
"My dear Mrs. Chesney, this is in
deed a pleasure! I had not the remot-
est idea when Franklin told me that
should find a charming party that
his words were to be 50 truly fulfilled"
Hilary had let one hand drop and
looked at him, still half smiling. His
words and his manner had hurt her,
but she was emphatically brave, and
her tremulous expression had sudden
ly given way to one that was calm
and friendly.
"I, too, was delighted" she said,
when they told me you were com
ing" Then, with a sudden impulse,
She added, "But my stay here is very
short, for l am afraid must go to-
morrow or the next day"
"Oh, what pity! Can't you put off
duty engagements | am sure that
is what they are-and stay on just a
little lenger?''
He spoke kindly and as if he wished
her to remain, but without trace Of
emotion.
The general took out his watch.
''It was very good Of you to want me
to come and see you out here, but l
must, l fear. go in and write some
thing rather important for the post. l
wish 1 could have stayed on longer
now and chatted about old times"
Eyes; wish you could"
A streak of light fell on his face.
Yes, he was not much altered, and his
gray hair became him.
'Well, we will go on with our talk
LATER" said he
He raised his hat and turned away
to mount the steps.
On the topmost terrace another fig
ure now caught her eye. It was that
of a young woman, very graceful and
alert and dressed in an exquisite gown
of crimson and fur. This person paus
ed and held hand up to her eyes.
Then Hilary saw her start off, walking
worry n,1ioEIv aoryy bo <y1.avoI ma fh