The Dolores star., 1910-03-11


The carriage dashed up the great
street and she shrank back In The eoe.
ner and tried to collect her confused
thoughts. Once Grace's giriish little
face with It's happy smile flashed b.
fore her. And ! called her Q fool" I"
she whispered. "What II she saw me
now" Then host Of clamorous fears
beset her Suppose Il we're too late :
The carriage stopped. They had ar.
rived. She looked up ~ she stepped
out at the vague. majectic outline OF
the capitol which loomed above her.
and then beyond TO where shone the
soft stars OF = southern winter night.
Then she entered the great building
with . steady heart and walked ans.
iously up and down the aisles. lie was
not there. but II was only S:l5.
She watched the door with feverish
eyes. How the men and women
poured In! She heard a train called.
Still he was not there. More people;
always more people. but he did not
come.
She strained painfully her anxious
vision to catch . glimpse Of the famil.
lar figure. The minutes slowly passed.
He must have gone to the other sta
ton. II was the just retributiou Of
the even-handed gods.
Then her heart stood still. He came
through the doors hastily, with the
same old awkward gait. peering near.
sightedly at the station clock.
She advanced with swift grace.
Good evening. You are . traitor 10
your old friends. Here In Washing
ton and no word to me. I have been
forced TO wayiay you At the railroad
station"
His intense surprise was evident. "Ag.
nss. Agnes Graham. you here! How
did you know" He stared at her
evening gown and dropping roses.
She answered. gayly:
The newspapers are strong on dis
tinguished visitors. OF course they
mentioned you"
He flushed and shook bis head impa.
tiently. You still speak falsely II oc.
casion demand II. see: however, Il
is delightful to meet you again. You
look very WELL
so you are going away from your
college life. Going to South America.
You ought not to do II. Why should
you! II h not worth while"
You did not think Sandy City worth
while. II ! remember" He spoks
sharply. with the same old tactlsss.
naked emphasis.
Then the gatekeeper's voice roared
over them: "Nine-thirty express fos
New York"
He started involuntarily and moved
frn0 her toward lho eGil.- H As0aa
to mutter something about his pleas.
ure at the unexpected meeting and
bis regret that he must say good-hy,
She felt he was striving to utter ths
proper sentiment, to do the proper
thing. and her heart grew sick at the
thought that her wild attempt was
about TO fall. One moment more snd
she would be alone with bitter mem.
ory for daily company. the secret
knowledge Of = terrible mistake. They
stood at the gate now. He touched
her hand and In her confusion hss
program slipped TO his feet. lie picked
II up. glanced vaguely at II. then his
face changed swiftly and be Looked
from II straight into her eyes. Then
he took her gently by the arm and led
her away.
Let US hnd . quiet place and talk. !"
But the train!"
There are other trains."
You must not stay just TO eossip
with me-" she protested. fsebly. but
he made no response. only led her iato
a secluded corner and spread The pro.
gram out upon his anee.
He read slowly:
The Lafayette theatsr March TO-
that IL tonight. You have bses
there and you came away. you came
TO the station here. Re hoasst this
o'S,e In your life and tell me Why you
did a."
There was . long silence. He looked
st her with truth-compeliing eyes. A
last with cold and trembling fingers
she unloosed one Of be. roses asl
laid II In his hand.
Perhaps" she ssid very softly. "yos
do not want Il: Il ID growing old and
faded and II 10 not % sweet ~ n once
was"
His fingers closed upon Il.
For me Il h the only rose that eves
blossoined.'