The Washington herald., 1909-05-16

life crowded into sixty minutes. But when
the clock struck Z the sadness On which
fnality is. founded. that companions every
last tim" stole with a reminding chill
over both But few. moments more and,
this tete-a-tete ended. they would sepa-
rate Almost beyond doubt they would
never again stand face 70 face upon this
earth. And yet during these precious mo-
ments they were silent for the first tine.
He stood up 10 go before she spoke.
III miss you" She rose, too. and gave
him both hands You're the only one
| that knows the real Fanny. 7 daren't I
be myself of the stage any more than on
| it-nO woman csn-except perhaps TO one
other soul, and you're that one TO me"
She laid her hand with mans frank
ness on his shoulder. Pm q puzzle to
myself these last two years. David. !
! used not 10 look back-dIdn't care. I care
now. / have ugly moods. a horrld tenn
per. but I 90 away by myself and cry.
Once / didn't mind that you suffered. I
do now, and that's why I shall thank
God I've seen you so happy and success
:
simply. Why did go 10 MilIy's grave ?
Why am I glad that you've forgiven
ne? Is It thisZ'' and parting her somber
hair he saw line Of white at the roots.
And these7' She dragged her fingers
down her cheeks. rs It Just that I'm
kinder because I'm not so nIce-because
I'm growing old?"
He wanted 10 draw her 10 him 70 net
her as II she had been a child troubled
by hfe's first questions, but he held her
hand with dignity. with just the amount
OF fraternal interest that might De per
mit1ed distinguished citizen.
I don't think It's that I've my theory.
It's better than yours. You've learned the
days lesson. that's all We've both
learned H. IN life, Fanny, We pass under
many gates. and toward the close, on the
western side Of the hill, We come 70 tie
last It's the smallest OF all, and our
necks must bend low 10 pass under II
Al, my dear. that little, l.ttle gate.' He
saw tears soften the glow Of her eyese as
she eagerly listened. It's the gate Of
humility. Fanny, and It leads 20 a quiet
place. Once. We rest there and look into
the sinking sun. al that we left on the
other side of the gate-bettles and honors
and mates and dreams-we value rightly
! Iney are nothing Only one peace counts
where We understand al. forgive all"
A handciasp. long one. and they part
ed At the door he looked back. She was
standing with one hand resting On the
table. gazing after him Here eyes bless
ed him.
andrew rose earlier than was his habit
the next morning The little house was
gray with the new day as he set The
coffee 70 steam slowly, put on hts 4,5r.
and stepped into the street. i ,vaS S-lti
intensely cold, but the snow thar bad
fallen during the night had taken nc
arctic edge from the air. 4 high ri6ga
rose above this lonely street on the MAJ
gin OF the town. and he climbed II SLOWLY
wrapping his worn TaccOOn coat tightly
across his chest
When he gained the top he seemed TO
nave reached an enchanted land 4 SeIi-
cate rose color shimmered over the snov-
that creaked under his feet Ike spin
tered glass; the rine draped trees. with
oisnond-hecked, metallic lace. transform
ing them 70 ch!merical castles sparkling
che above the other on the heights: the
ory snow that every gust sent vhirlinc
upward made showers OF tinted sparks.
over the land OF immodsrate whiteness
--N ---- :" a. StA eau q iLs1l q -eLEE OF blush
pink and tender green ard amethyst: the
rising sun was red; the silence was abso-
lutte.
Andrew gazed about, thrilled and rever-
ent- He. too. seemed transferred 4
! food OF thoughts warmed him, his gentle
! face shown with -blissful content He
vas reviewing his blessings. his right TO
thankfulness. He had health: music. the
thing he loved best, gave him his daily
[ bread; he had q few faithful friends: and
| he had Just forgiven an ancient wrong
and buried the phantom OF al old hate
Peace was his, marvellous and sweet. His
lips moved 70 prayer, as, standing mo-
tionless on the height, he saw the full
day burst upon the world, making every
spear OF ice fash hack rosy lights and
blue shadows
Across the town. that stiII slept under
al army OF snOw-coifed chimneys. the
sound for which he waited csne-a pro-
lOnged and sibilant whistle fa- away. but
clear 4 long train followed Il, crawling
into sight and crossing the wniteness
with soOJy smoke twisting hack along its
length From where he watched, II
seemed q small. secretive thing that had
| belonged 10 the night. but which must
I scurTy away before any eye could see il.
/ His gaze followed the last car until 1t
I had rounded a hill. until the last streak
| % SCOT had melted into and become one
with the triumphant sun
iCopvnsated}