The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-19
APRIL RAIN
by EDITH GRAY
BY LAURENCE ALFRED CLAY.

Copyright 1919 by Associated Literary Press)
From the far length of the meadow lane the woman
persistent of one calling to the
bossies from beyond Without the April rain dripped
ceaselessly from the window frame and branch of
one of the orchard trees creaked mournfuiy as the
wind it. gentle monotony back and forth.
| beneath the 1t a dull day and a heavy
one. with suggestion of brightness.
The growing darkness seemed to disturb the woman
at desk inslstent urging onward of flag
ging pencil. and closer STOPPING over enshadoweo
pages she suddenly from her work and walked
impatiently toward the window She flung back the
lattice ostensiby seeking light, but with the
simple change OF eramped position she iinheoAate,s
realized that she unusually tired fatgued in body
and BRAIN Mindless of the soft drizze she knet upon
the floor, her head upon hands, gazing outward
toward the distant haze of woodland beyond the rain
She was tired-she fully realized that She also
knew that she unspeakaby foolish to kneel there
of her bones Sprain rain was lovely enough
and undoubtedly poetica when viewed from the other
side of an old-time dormer window.
The woman knew that she was imprudent yet she
laughed the chill for, with the relaxation
from mental labor, the cold emptiness within her heart
overwhelmed her with fearsome blight, compared
with which the outer dreariness was as naught
1t all very we'll write-to go off when town
pleasures began Interfere with on art
to bury herself at his old farm, awayfrem the. an
noyances OF fatterng acquantances in order to gain
full control of latent facultiesa well theoreti-
caiy but for all practical purposes it was dreary and
unutterably lonely at times
In spite of repeated commands, old friends would
persist in writing and renewing old stirring
memories that would otherwise have died long since
1t lonely when she compared her fame. her sew
eral novels and the tiny book of verse. the drama
stories of her dreams with the love-
the warmth and comfort which she had sacrificed for
them
Was it worth the price?
Then in spite of afternoon spent in fierce deter
minaon TO forget the words of disturbing little note
received few days before ared in letters of fire.
across her wearied brain
Dear, I have found where you have hidden away
1 would not hurt you by but write II
will come" it said.
The woman knew that this mans words rang true;
worth and she realized that in spite of the howery
his frank simplicity. his marvellous tenderness.
'piritually. we'll physically head and shoulders
above them all She cherished and wondered at his
friendship. but his love she had always feared 1t
strong. She trembled lest in abandoning her
self to her ever growing desire she lose her art
and losing her her self. the keynote her
development. She dropped her head upon her arms
abandoning herself old questioning. the old de-
SPAR. And without the rain poured down, renewing
its strength. longer the mist intangible, but the
beating all elements
For long she kne1t then raised her head as over
the fields resounded again the coo-coo of the
homing call.
Joseph. the farmers son. had a wondrous voice.
full toned powerfully sweet She remembered how,
Sunday worship few days before. his iawiess
rendering of the simple hymns had filled her heart
with peace, and how at her questioning the proud
mother had confded that Josephs voice had charmed
Won Stah the great musician from the city. He had
tested Joseph during his summers visit and promised
great things if he would but go with him back to
the city.
shrugged her shoulders with annoyance as she pot
tered about her work.
What could he have for refusing the great
Won Stahls 30 generous offer? Was it entirely stu
pidty, there some deeper for his In
difference this opportunity for betterment?
In the orchard now, ths boy letting down
the bars. The watched. through break in
the trees the cattle wandered contentedly onward.
seaIning dripping chewing eternay as they strolled
She smiled at the awkwardness of the tiny dripping
calf things. and the mothers nozing them as they
went.
"Coo-ooo' a harsher voice from the direction
barn, and the boy put back the bars and whis
tied as he worked. Then he reached upward his
great strong arms and with the and insight of
He shook away the great hanging drops a few
petals drifted behind him he came. his huge boots
shoulders swaying he walked. He but a peas
youth, but-the woman marveled! what light
face.
The rain was softer The mist above the trees
sparrow hoped and ohirped expectanty The sky had
grown brighter. the rain had ceased and the little
washed world.
And as the darkness lifted a door below the left
wing the great kitchen extension opened and from
window the smiled little Elsa. the rosy
checked dairymad, held her two chubby palms out
ward testing weather. How charming that
bit Of German simplicity and chiidiike
innocence! She was like the spring the flowers.
The boy Joseph stood beside the faxen haired maid
and with gallantry. offered her the fra
grant branch which he had selected but moment
since Elsa" he said, for you"
took the flowers, but her eyes gazed wistfully
at Drowned face above her
thank YOU" she said in her pretty broken Ger
man; Il thank you, Joseph and want to say now
that Elsa had decided she would have gone back
tor her desk.fet quickly had Elsa spoken herr
verdict that she could hardly avoid the astonishing
revelation.
IT have decide" said Elsa again. "T have decide,
Joseph. You too-too much for me to marry II
thought you just farmer. but learn. oh SO
bitterly that you are great singer: that If you go
to the city and do not marry me, you will be fine
gentleman some day. Joseph will not marry you
now"
The boy quick in his reply-startinsly so to
the woman who had looked upon him as boorsh
ciutching the chubby little hands: 4
mo, Elsa, you will not marry now. but when
rich and take Of my wife, my little
girl do you hear?'
But the blue still troubled and the
flow. great and round. yelling the
rosy cheeks
Joseph" she said II think you love WELL but
YOU must great artist, musician like brorther
Fritz home. Fritz always "A great artist
marry He must think always of his art-he have
time for love-"
'He have time for love." The heart of the wo- |
man contracted sudden wonder. and unconsciousiy