Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-07
THEEENNCS
D0SIA.
DOSIA.
Copyright. 1918. by W. werner.)

A'AA0 V1S ayAA6 W STUDY q new OOOh-
It was work on psychology and she
knew absolutely nothing Of psychology.
1t came to her that she was likely to
know little more from acquaintance with
this book, for her mind failed to grasp
the meaning Of the intricate phrases.
Not that her mind was dull; it was har-
ried by another thing. And so, while her
eyes scanned the pages her thoughts ran
away on business far remote.
1t was hot afternoon. Bees hummed
in the rose peonies outside the window.
There had not been a passer-by upon the
white road before the farmhouse for more
than an hour. Her father was putterine
In the garden: her mother had run across
to neighbor's. When the telephone bell
rang it broke the empty stiffness with
nerve-teasing abruptness.
Hello" The mans voice vibrating over
the wires lost a good deal by distance
Dosia did not recognize It. Hello! This
is Page. Get it? Pager
oh, Page" Dosia said family with
ner heart trying to get to her lips and
all her bright color fleeing. ''Tlds is
Dosia-"
Yes, I know. thought ia nnd you
at this hour. Dusia, I'm coming out to
see you- I'm On my way now. waiting
Tor train &C Jasper. II there are no de-
lays Til arrive at T:So Be down at the
station to meet me. win you? All right.
Good-byer'
Dosia hung up the receives. She pressed
her hands to her temples and stood star
ing before her. A change had come-a
wonder beautifyins., stimulating
the magician. He was coming. She must
30 and tell her mother.
She came face to face with her mother
on the threshold. Mother. Page is
coming!'
But Mrs. Wilson eyed her daughter
without excitement. "It's about time
Page came. I should Think she said
When he does come. Dosia, want you
to ask him why he hasn't visited you or
written you above six letters In a years
time
IT shan't have to ask him, mother.
He'll tell me-"
Il hope he will. I'll think more of him
if he does
Dosia clenched her hands 'You never
understood Page, mother"
Il understand human nature, and Page
has got his share Of 1t. When's he
coming?'
He'll arrive at 7:3O. he phonei.'
"1ll whip up fresh cake. and you can
run out to the garden and pick some
strawberries. He'll have to have his
supper
In the garden Dosia's thoughts sped
with her fingers She recalled all her
knowledge of Page Sargent which had
begun almost in their childhood They
had been neighbors, schoolmates. friends
throughout their youth. and sweethearts.
Before Page went to college they had be-
come engaged That was eight years
ago. He was q doctor now. an inferno
at one Of the big city hospitals. And she
was waiting. While she waited she
sought in every way to improve herself.
to make herself into a woman worthy Of
her husband.
After she had picked the strawberries
she hulled and washed. them. The proc
ess left reddish stains at the edges Of
her nails which she could not eradicate.
They troubled her. But on her way to
the little nag station she forgot them.
She forgot all things save one-the fact
that Page was coming. She had put on
her white dress and her best hat, which
she had trimmed herself. She wore no
gloves upon her stained hands. Her shoes
were dingy with dust though she picked
her way carefully at the edge of the road.
Pale and painting, she stood as the train
rushed in and paused to let of two or
three passengers. Page came at last.
He looked like a million other cookbook
ing young professional men In summer
clothes, but to iDosia he was a prince
royal.
He shook hands with her a bit awk-
wardly. How do you do, Dosia?' he
said merely. They walked away together
along the white road. Terribly dusty.
We need rain," remarked Page.
Yes, we do" Dosia responded.
OF a sudden she was stricken with a
great sense OF awe for the man beside her..
He had changed SO much. She wondered
that she had ever dared to kiss him back
when he kissed her. She began to feel
that her gown was not right, that moth
ing in her appearance was right. But she
did not know that her mood was simply a |
reflection Of what she had seen In his |
eyes.
Her father greeted him warmly, her |
ned him and her daughter, then she went |
in her usual matter of fact manner to |
set out his supper. Page praised the sup |
per- but he did not eat much. He seemed |
and more uncomfortable when |
he found himself alone with Dosia on the |
Lets walk out to the spring he said,
suddenly.
Dosia went with him in silence. She
sat down on a rock and he took his place
beside her. They faced the moon and |
watched 1t solemnly. When at last Page
spoke Dosia felt that he was making a
great effort.
There's another girl. Dosia,'' he said, |
in a low voice. Last night sat with her
on balcony where the lights outshone |
the moon and 1 told her that was en-
gagged to you
Dosia's heart did not leap to find her /
lips now. It shriveled and sank and grew
cold. 1t came to her that the old idea of |
a broken heart was absurd. Hearts did |
not break; they died Hers was dying |
now.
And tonight you are here with me-"
she said. 1t sounded like somebody else |
speaking. But you are mistaken about |
being engaged to me. Page. You are not |
engaged to me unless you choose She !!
slipped Off the rock and stood before him. |
She was twisting and turning her lifde
engagement ring on her finger. Suddenly |
it came Off and fell into the grass. Il
dropped it." she exclaimed.
Page had seen and understood. Never
mind Let it lie there. have brought
you another. You have worn that one
long enough.
He sighed and feeling in his vest pock- |
ct drew forth a ring box. When he OPEN |
ed It the jewel that flashed in the moon |
light was diamond. He held It toward
her smiling. Come" he urged.
Dosia stared at the jewel and then at
Pages face She put her hands behind
her back and shook her head slowly. |
mo" she said.
..Why not? got it for you. I've come
all the way down here to give it to you. |
Why not?"
because it belongs to that other girl" |
He laughed sharply. Good heavens,
she wouldn't have mel I don't need to |
ask her TO know that. Why. she's AZ |
high above me as that moon and just as |
voice lowered He bent his head In his |
hands.
Dosia stood considering him. He was
suffering: she understood that from her