The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1909-10-07

They sat together on the BIairs'
piazza as Hester broke the hard news
as gently as she could. He had been
so glad to see her upon her return
from the city-so eager to see what
she had accomplish ed-so willing to
praise. 1t hurt Hester to see him so
brave about it.
Il didn't think even the city and
years study could make you forget
me-" was all he said when she had
finished and was looking at him ap-
pealingly.
ut isn't that I don't admire and
love you, Jasper" she protested. Its
only that living in the city and seeing
so much going on somehow makes
you long to do something for your
self. Before left here 1 dreamed of
nothing but a home with you. But
this year-it's made me long for 9TH
er things"
what kind of things?"
81 know you'll think it's silly" she
hesitated. 81 can't explain the hold
these things-luxury, friends, good
times-have upon me. 1 suppose it's
because I've lived such a quiet life"
at was a happy one before you
knew anything better" he said sadly.
when did you first feel this longing
for new things?"
She laughed. a little ashamed.
There was a pink silk gown in a
store window near where 1 boarded.
1t was beautiful, Jasper. 1t was
made of lace and silver tissue and
beautiful shimmery silk. I used to
look at it day after day and by and
by / went in and asked how much it
cost. 1t was $500. 1 began to won
der If l could ever own such a dress.
Afterward, when they gave me so
much encouragement about my voice,
began to hope might Now ii has
come to the place where know that
If work hard I can"
He looked at her thoughtfully a
long while. When at last he rose to
go he took her hand in his and held IL.
I'm sorry, Hetty, for myself and
for you" he said gently. Somehow
/ feel as if you won't be happy in
this new life, but l wish you luck.
dear, and all success. Some time.
when I, too, have made something of
myself, I'm coming to see you again
and find out if you did well to choose
between me and a pink dress"
When You come" she said stead
fastly, II shall be ready to show you,
l am sure"
Ten years elapsed. Hester Blair
awoke one morning in her luxurious.
half-darkened room, forgetful of the
great triumph Of the night before,
forgetful of everything except that
she was tired. The sun fell in little
streaks past the sides of the window
shades and made long, bright lines
on the floor. there was no Joy for
Hester in wakin& up. No conscious
ness OF rest or renewed vigor. Sim
ply the same dread of the beginning
OF a new day, which she had felt
every morning for the last two tired
years.
She called the maid and asked to
have the mail brought in. The wom-
an slipped out silently and returned
with a handful of letters. Hester
dragged the pillows into a mass as
the curtains were being raised and
leaned back against their support.
There were a half-dozen congratula-
tons on last nights performance, an
invitation to dinner, two or three
pleas for interviews from ambitious
young singers. She read them
through without interest. and separ-
ated them into piles to be answered
later. At last there was only one en-
velope left a broad, thin one.
marked in a clear, decisive hand. She
looked at it silently, but with a shock
of recognition. At last - after ten
years. She broke the seal with a fall
tering hand.
'My dear Hester" she read. "The
time has come when, as business calls
me to your city, 1 am going to your
concert of the 10th and hear you
sing. You remember, said I would
see you some time. l am sure you
will still have sufficient interest in an
old friend to be glad to hear that I
am about to be married. 1 hope to
have the pleasure of presenting my
future wife to you after the concert,
- JO0 WAAA ACO AACs dil lOOKlnR IOr-
ward with great pleasure to meeting
you again. Yours faithfully,
JASPER HUNT"
The paper fiuttered from Hester's
fingers and she lay still. Until now
she had not realized how she had
hoped that he had remained unmar-
ried so long for her sake. She had
not realized how utterly dreary life
would look when the one little possi-
bility of happiness that she had held
in her heart was banished forever.
After while she sat up, thinking in
tensely. He would see how every
thing was. He would know that his
had come true. She could
not bear it. She lived over the inter-
view Of ten years ago. A bitter smile
curved her lips as she thought of the
pink dress.
And 1 have worked so hard-and
cared so little that / have never
~ Ia -