Mexico Missouri message., 1910-02-17
The Wonderful
Hour
By VICTOR ROUSSEAU


vessels, of the Jersey shore flickered
back from the still waters of the Hud-
sor that warm spring evening, and
the voices of children playing along
the drive were heard in the distance.
And then, Just as he turned away
hopelessly, he saw her coming toward
him, walking as she had always
walked
Nothing seemed to have changed
after those five years. They might
have met yesterday. He kissed her,
just as he used to do, and they sat
down in the old place. Then for some
time there was silence.
well, Dick, have come, you see,"
she said. 81 got your letter"
looked at her.
Yes, you have not changed" he
said 1T might have been yesterday
we parted. And you are wearing that
old white hat, l am sure. And
violets.
She laughed a little bitterly.
And you love me just the same,
don't your"
81 was fool" he said
you left me to make your fortune
abroad. You were going to paint
great pictures and win fame. You had
to choose between your pictures and
me, you know, and the choice was not
flattering to my pride. Well, have you
painted them?"
NO" he said, quietly.
And so you thought you would
have me again as second choice. o
my dear, how well 1 know you. So
you remembered the white hat and
the violets? Well, l wore them pur-
posely. Just a glamor, a little re-
hinder of the old times, and you are
at my feet, again, you incurable senti-
mentalist. But l have been growing
older and wiser"
81 told you everything. / confessed
the wrong l had done you. Why dld
you come tonight if you did not love
me?"
Some sentimental folly. l thought
/, too, would like to see you again,
to meet you here where we used to
meet. l wanted to learn my power,
to know whether 1 could still WELD
it, or had grown old and homely. Van
ity, l suppose. Does the charm
work?
You speak very bitterly"
80 you imagined l would still be
free. That 1 have been eating out
my heart alone all these five years.
n he Of
He started violently.
You are married."
Il am going to be. But you do
deserve to be comforted, poor Dick,
who did at least think of me when
his art deserted him."
She nestled closer toward him, but
he sat silently beside her. The mock
cry of the pretence crushed him. She
tapped her foot impatiently.
Five more minutes nave gone. o,
Dick, don't you want to be companion
able? Talk to me, old friend. Tell
me, will you be sorry to lose me for
ever?"
A dull resentment was growing in
his heart. At last he found his speech.
Il don't complain or your mockery.
But if 1 treated you BADLY, at least l
left you hoping to win a fortune for
us both. My thoughts were always
with you l left you in pride; l fought
hard and was beaten; have returned
suppliant. At least be honest to-
ward me. Good-by." He held out his
hand.
He saw her eyes shining in the
dusk. Their hands clasped and ling
cred.
Are you going?" she whispered.
He looked at her incredulously. A
great hope dawned In his heart
Suppose told you that loved you
more in your defeat than when you
went out to conquer?- she whispered.
IF I-pretended-just pretended that
1 couldn't bear to lose you again,
ever"
His arms were round her and she
was weeping against MS shoulder.
1T wasn't untrue when said 1 was
going to be married-was it?' she
murmured.