The Washington herald., 1909-05-16

to the papers. We don't want them 10
make paragraphs about Us"
She rose quickly brushed the tears
back. and her eyes flashed under the
worn eyelids.
You're right. II they'd heard you call
me Fanny she finished with con-
elusive wave OF the hand. then eyed him
longingly bad fer you, too. David? Let
me look at you" She held him on
You're one OF the big men here. Rich.
ehr'
Yes" he said, u am a rich man"
rs the music fnished7 OF course. you
made your fortune soma other way Lum-
Der, suppose, up here?"
Lumber" he nodded, adding, Il still
play FOR pleasure"
you would" she said dreamily. her
fingers strodng the shining fur sleeve In
ar absent way Wife, Of cOurse-very
fashionable Daughters. too, eh? Or IS IL
son of at school? Have you these
things as well as a fortune and a new
name?" A benignant look deepened in
her eyes. "Oh, I want TO hear that you
have everything. I've thought Of you a
great deal lately-tlat I might one day
meet yOu-and dreaded finding you poor,
lonely. That would have hurt ne ter
ribly"
Il am very fortunate" he said stead
lily. I've all the blessings you speak Of"
m so glad" she said jOyfuliy, adding
with droil look: "A wife VINO wouldn't
know me- Of eourse-the sort We. used. 10
call Phiiistine, perhaps. Yes? All. old
boy. I wasn't criticising." she added
quickly. I've come 10 believe that the
Phil.stlnes hold 10 the real things. we
used 70 sneer al them in our wild DAYS"
she sat down on the arm OF chair and
Eer eyes held dream as she looked past
hinl-"but, on. they have the real things.
the PhilistiDe wOmen-homes. husbands.
. babies. She looked down az the toe OF
9 brilliantly spangled slipper. 7 never
hac any baby but Milly"
Her maid came in. and with change
T. light. gracious manner Jhat showed
her art, she said.
You'll take OF your heavy coat, Mr.
Mr.. Brett? Oh please, don't often
meet such an Old and dear friend. So
you'u dine with me-yes. you wiI-no re-
fusali ] have light dinner al 6. only a
few moments OF. and well have time for
good talk"
The wonderful intimate moment came
and he sat opposite her once more. Thev
could say what was in their hearts for
she dispensed with the attentions OF the
maid after the salad was brought on.
The small table was radiant with the
china and the silver which always went
with her The low candle flames made
confidential and hay nimbus about
them. the rest q the car s-bsided 20 a
pink gloom The gardenlas and vioIets
were streWn on the cloth
IN one old. Italian wine OF deep amber
they drank 10 many things. To how
many indeed,-tO days Of poverty; London
days; lean, attic days. DAYS Of cheap
dinners IN fusty. Soho hooks. To days
II the country; hopeful. ambitious DAYS,
cold, fresh mornings in sea-blown lanes:
supQeTs IN the twilights with dish-wash.ng
afteTwsTd when he washed and she dried
And the peat fires. and MS playing al
nIght-rain outside. freight within. Did
he remember And the mushrooms they
used 20 gather in the meadow back CT the
house in autumn afternoons when the
naples we're yellow against q metaI-gray
sky. And the sumner day when he photo
graphe6 her standing with the baby IN
her arms among the tall wheat Did he
remember? Yes, he remembered very
well
She seemed 10 grow younger each mo-
ment The woman with stained tired
eyelids and lines Ike heated rspler cuts
down the cheeks went away. and the
girl he had known with red mouth and
eyes that crinklsd Up IN an abandon
Of laughter TIL only the lashes showed
came back 20 him When she looped up
the satin skirt and set out the dessert
herself when she lighted his cigarette
and then her own from his. youth and
the spirit OF daredevil poverty shat
counted no sOrrOwS and love that made
wakings 20 new precarious mornings
things OF laughter and the COSY shut-i1
nights time for the making OF dreams.
zane back and breathed their rapture
into his lonely heart
oh. how satisfying Il IS 20 be able 70
say these things 70 you, David" Il was
the hushed tone OF hers that could hold
an audience tensely expecta2t Il thought
Of you for long time one day last
spring For the first time In fifteen years
went down 70 Kent 20 8IiIly's grave. I
sat there leaning against the stone, just
slowly picking the moss from her name
I thought Of YOU. was unhappy about
you It's an awful thing. isn't It. 70 be
sorry when it's all over. when the pain
has all been lived through"
But the being sorry Is good" he said
cheerfuIIy-
II was an enchanting hour. the best in