The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-05-14

round with wonder and reverence
"Yes the great Roger Lythgoc Miss Penrose
took the letter but she looked abScnty at the girl
aurora, if | could have wish fulfilled 1t would
be TO be you-to look like you"
"But aunt, dear think OF your mind and mine-
! am so commonplace,
Il know IT." and Miss Penrosc opened her letter;
Noung Aurora had a modest opinion oil hcr own Hlno
she acquicsced.
Aunt Aurora. how should like TO sec him
never real poet So
well he threatens to come and Miss Pcnrose
irowncd eu
"But he wouldn't notice me-
Il don't know-you never can tell and the fine,
down lines Miss Penroses mouth stood sharply
what is he likc1"
II never him.
Never saw him.
"Hc came once two years ago, but had gone
And he was so disappointed that lie forgot TO pay
the hackman" and Aurora laughed How want
TO sec hinl-but d have chance with you about
poor commonplace mel The wind was nuttering the
Skirt of her white gown and rcd scarf she had
tied about her dusky hair She was wonderfully
But tell me- aunt, what is Mr. Lythgoc likcf'
"Ic writes that he is the homeliest man ever made
Arc you preparing to fall in love with him, Aurora
Miss Pcnrose laughed but there was sharp ring IN
Miss Penrosc sat at her desk writing and Aurora
watcred the plants She put each on the window sill
and dcugcd it most unrehcctingly The house
vibrated as the old church across the way doomed
the hour.
'If you wish to respect time. have measured Off"
said Miss Pcnrose THE bell says hour is dead;
1t will ncver come back again"
'Who caresl" said young Aurora.
'Wait till the hours grow scarce.
"Whcn I'm old you. perhaps Miss Pen
WINGED.
you arc not commonplace, Aurora; you have
way of putting things
Aurora was glad that her distinguished aunt did
not consider her commonplace and she watercd the
flowers with renewed enthusiasm, when up from the
street there deep growl, and Aurora thrust
her bright face among the pots and fell back with
wafer right on his head" she gaspcd; such funny
little man-look at him. The victim below was
mopping his hat and face Il believe he IS rooted
10 the spot-why doesn't he go away"
Miss Penrose looked through the ivy trcllis. The
victim of the watering pot was still looking up, his
damp hat in his hand and his white hair gstcning in
That old thing" and Aurora flung herself into
chair and laughed hytercay, Just as tho door
gave sharp peal.
Hes angry and he's como to and Aurora
turned pale.
"My dear, II you will pour water over elderly
gentlemen, you must take the consequences, and
Miss Penrosc retreated. laughing, Just as the hall
door opened and the little maid-scrvant ushered in
short stout elderly man. whose gray beard lay
on his porty breast salver Aurora rose and
stared apprehcnsvely at her victim
"AuroraW he cried passionatey, and took her long,
slim fingers III his own. AT lastV
Aurora stared at him with frightened brown eyes.
Il knew YOU at once, he SAID
"You knew me At oncc| she faltcrcd.
"When | saw your beautiful face among the flowers
Aurora recovered herself and smiled II might be
insane but he was certainly civil. Il knew it must be
Aurora Penrose-this the face OF my dreams.
But why he cried rcproachfully, why did you per-
Forgive me-" young Aurora said, in polite per-
plexty, "if ask who you arc?'
He turned quito pale Can you not gucssf he
faltered Did l not prepare you to see the ugliest
God ever made and did you not say it was the
man and not the face"
"Oh dear me- 1 afraid this is all dreadful
IniStakci"
"A nistakeo How is that possible Surely you
arc Aurora Pcnrosc?
"Ycs. am Aurora Pcnrose-
God be praisedl'
"But my aunt.
Hc sank upon the nearest chair and Aurora
fingered her hand on the door-knob. She was sorry
for him She knew the dsillusion in store for him
Who shall say she asked gently.
"Roger Lythgoe'
Young Aurora gasped She looked at him as at
vision lie seemed taller and simmer and his eyes
were quite beautiful behind the gold spectacles As
for the great poet. ne vouchsafed her not another
glance but bent all her energies to rubbing the
of his ruined hat He was still at it when Miss Pen,
rose came in and for moment they stood and looked
each other III silence
DO you find Disappointing" Miss Pcnrose
asked abruptly.
They looked at each other again and neither spoke.
Then they both blushed Her last letter he always
carried his breast pocket and Its very touch had
made him quivcr-how often he had kissed the fine.
clear writing! His forehead grew damp at the mere
remembrance, and somehow he could not see himself
in future carrying about the correspondence Of this
elderly lady As for Miss Pcnrose. she remembered
with kind OF horror the long evenings she had
dreamed away on her balcony. his letter her only
companion, reading the passionate uterances OF the
man she had seen
1t was Miss Pcnrose who first recovered herself
$50 after two years at last see the poet she said
politely
"And the distinguished artist" he added. with a
forced smile. "Hour pictures are poems without
words; mine needless"
Il had just sent you letter begging you not to
come she exclaimed abruptly.
Why"
81 don't know but was right
Mr. Lythgoc had fought gallant fight and was re
covering his equanmity, "And this i, the room you
have well described TO me-, and ne looked curious
" about How often have longed to be here anc
in its peace and silence read to you hrst OF all Tho
world what ] had written.
Would she expect him 20 explain cxtrayagant p
sagcs in his correspondence? 1t word be very en-