The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-12
Nv ExTIIL.E BENSON.

Copyright, 1919, by the Associated
Literary Pres.)
Grand Central station shouted
the brakeman. IAN out"
Miss Bartlett gripped her handbag
with sudden thought of the light
fingered gentry Of New York.
Aunt Lucy! Aunt Lucy. You
darling Aunt LUCY" Warm. soft
young arms drew her out OF rns
stream OF men and women laden with
impedimenta Of travel. Il knew
you'd come when | wrote how much
] wanted you to see my picture while
it's on exhibition. There's always
someone standing around it. I'm 80
silly over II ! must have the oearess
aunt in the world see just how 1t
looks in such grand company
For a hurried instant the be-
wildered ltttic lady felt the pulse
beat OF the mighty city. then she
was sucked down with the crowd into
shot In shuttlas back and forth,
weaves n interminable web OF ex-
istence. A GREATNESS rush, the flash
Of lights, q sudden darkness. I'M
heralded stopa and starts, a surge of
unspcakable terror; daylight once
more. sanity and the reasur.ng up
per world.
There was a scramble In and out
between street cara hairbraadth- as
capss from gigantic horses In front
Of towering loads. 6ashes from be-
Meath kissing. darling automobiles
and. presto, the swarming multitude
clamor was hushed. She was in .
sleepy street on Brooklyn Heignts,
whore the old-ume houses stood In
quiet, self-contained dignity
II was the first uninterrupted con-
fidential moment after lunch.
How is Ben. Lucue?" Miss Bart
lett bent over her suitcase. The
status OF declared lovers was a
beatific mystery to be approached
only by half-averted face or lowered
lids.
No reply coming. she timidiy
glanced over her shoulder.
You haven't told me anything
about Ben
II have nothing 70 TELL" she re-
piled. indifferentiy.
Miss Rartiett's shocked face came
back to her from the mirror.
Don't look like that. Aunt Lucy
Don't don't. He's all right. i fancy,
only don't Sc him any more"
Don't see Ben any more?''
No; we have learned how utterly
unlike we are. All no cares for Is
law book, and must have my art
It's my life. Aunt Lucy. my very life
"Iberty?''
Yes. liberty to live my own life. /"
She bent and kissed the quivering
hips. You'll make me cry II you
look like that. II wasn't Just the ptc-
ture. Aust Lucy. / wanted you: l
wanted you as | did when l vas little
and things went wrong. It's time l
was on to my classes. Here, let me
tuck you UP on this couch. I've tired
you all out. Don't stir. darling, TIL
get back"
The door closed on her niece ana
she was alone. Trivialities occupied
her at first; that money she brought
danger OF burElars-and the old
home. She meant Lucille and Ben to
have 1t when she had used II her
allotted time. Where were the babies
she was to tend, the. boys and girls
that were to rcmp under tho big
elm? Were they always to be dream
given Duly her eyes followed the
wall paper up and down. Its monoto-
nous repetition was intolerable. She
sprAnk 20 her ieet ana fastened on
her wraps with nervous fingers.
A damp. chin air met her Mt the
auleI ooor. The unaccustcmed
streets oppressed her with their mar
rowness. she hurried to escape the
persistent nearness Of the crowding
houses.
from the gray room OF the sky
q lettering snowflake fioated down.
Inicksr ana faster. borne by ris-
lnk ~ind, came binding furry. =
sudden gust nearly took her from
her ieet. one staggered and caught
AZ an iron railing passerby heard
groan. hesitated. but after .
Stahee Al the htgh-bred race OF the
Wol-dressed little lady. went on.
T AYea- enc arearfnese of The ncArd-
ing mousse was less forbtddinE than
the street a puxxling similarity OF
the corners confronted her; rows on
rows OF houses presented an unbroken
front. Distracted. she crossed and
recrossed streets till lights began to
prick out through the whirt Of fiakes.
Weary and faint almost to tho point
OF dropping. she pesred helplessly
from door TO door.
suddenly she stopped. then fol-
lowed = man mp the sseps af = hrowa-
stone building. His latchkey admit
ted him and She slipped In directly
behind. Yes, there was the warm
red carpet in the hall and the ser
pentine stairs winding up around the
wen.
her room was dark ana empty: