Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-10-19

leisure, to live fully his ebbing mo-
ments In the world to which he was
born. to drink to its cloying dregs one
ultimate draft Of luxury.
With q deferential flourish the walt
er brought him the menu card. lie
had served In his time many an Amer
lean millionaire; he had also served
this Mr.. Klrkwood, and respected him
as one exalted above the run OF his
kind in that he comprehended the art
Of dining.
Fifteen minutes later the waiter de-
parted rejoicing, his order complete.
To distract a conscience whispering
of extravaganza Kirkwood lighted a
cigarette.
The room was gradually filling with
later arrivals 1t was the most ia
vored restaurant In London. and de-
spite the radiant costumes of the wom-
en- its atmosphere remained sedate and
restful.
A cab clattered down the side street
on which the window opened.
At nearby table n woman laughed.
quietly happy. Ipcuriously Kirkwood
glanced her way. She was bending
forward. smiling, fattering her escort
with the alteration Of her eyes. They
were lovers alone In the wilderness OF
the crowded restaurant. They seemed
very happy.
Kirkwood was conscious Of strange
pang of emotion. 1t took him some
time to comprehend that 1t was envy.
He was alone and lonely. For the
first time he realized that no woman
had ever looked upon him as the wo-
man at the adjoining table looked upon
her lover. He had found time to wor-
ship but one mistress-his art.
And he was renouncing her.
He was painfully conscious Of what
he had missed. had lost or had not yet
found-the love Of woman.
The ensation was curious, new.
unique In his experience.
His cigarette burned down to his
fingers as he sat pondering. Abstract.
edly he ground Its fire out in an ash
tray.
The waiter set before him a silver
tureen, covered.
He sat up and began to consume his
soup. scarce doing It justice. His
dream troubled him-his dream Of the
love Of woman.
From little distance his waiter re-
garded him with an air Of disappoint-
ment. In the course Of an hour and a
half he awoke to discover the attend.
ant In the act Of pouring very hot and
black coffee from a bright silver pot
into a demltasse Of fragile porcelain.
Kirkwood slipped single lump OF
sugar into the cup, gave over his cigar
case to be filled, then leaned back, de-
liberately lighting a long and slender
panetela as a preliminary to last lin
gering appreciation of the scene OF
which he was part.
He reviewed It through narrowed
eye!ids lazily, yet with some slight
surprise, seeming to see 1t with new
vision, with eyes from which scales OF
ignorance had dropped.
This long and brilliant dining hall,
With its quiet perfection Of proportion
and appointment, had always gratifed
his love of the beautiful. Tonight 1t
pleased him to an unusual degree. Yet
It was the same as ever. Its walls,
tinted q deep rose, with their hangings
Of dull cloth of gold; its lights discrim-
inatlngly clustered and discreetly
shaded, redoubled in half hundred
mirrors; its subdued simmer Of plate
and glass, it's soberly festive assem-
blage of circumspect men and women
splendidly gowned. its decorously
muted murmur Of voices penetrated
and interviewer by the strains of
hidden string orchestra, caressed his
senses as always, yet with differ
ence. Tonight he saw it a room popu'
lous with lovers, lovers insensibly
paired, man unto woman attentive,
woman Of man regardful.
He had never understood this before.
This much he had missed In life.
1t seemed hard to realize that one
must forego 1t all forever.