The Washington herald., 1914-06-07

at times 20 a little far. He re-reat
Elective Afinities." and lent II to Misl
Smith. Incredible as It may appear Il
members Of the Areopagus Club. where
we know Aubrey vair, he did also be.
yond all question inspire a sort Of pas.
sion in that sombre-eyed. rather clever
and really very beautiful girl.
He talked to her a lot about love and
destiny and all that bric-a-brac of the
minor poet. And they talked togethes
about his genius. He eiaborateiy, though
discreetly, sought her society. and pre-.
sented and read to her the miider of hi,
unpublished sonnets. We consider hi,
Byronic feature, pasty. but the feminine
mind has its own laws. I suppose. also
where girl Is not fool, a literary
man has an enormous advantage over
any one but preacher in the show he
can make Of his hearts wares.
At last day in that summer came
when he met her alone, possibly by
chance. In a quiet lane towards Horley
There were ample hedges on either side
rich with honeysuckle. vetch and mullen.
They conversed intimately of his poetic
ambitions. and then he read her those
verses of his subsequently published in
Hobson's Magazine: "Tenderly ever,
since have met thee" He had written
these the day before; and though I think
the sentiment Is uncommonly trite, there
Is redeeming note of sincerity about
the lines not conspicuous in all Aubrey
Vsirs poetry. -...
He read rather well. and a swell OF
genuine emotion crept into his voice a.
he read. with one white hand thrown
out to point the rhythm of the lines
Ever. my sweet. for thee" he con.
cluded. looking up into her face.
Before he looked up. he had been think.
ing chiefly Of his poem and its effect
Straishtway he forgot it. Her arms huns
Imply before her. and her hands were
clasped together Her eyes were very
tender
Your verses go to the heart she
said softly.
Her mobile features were canab,e nj
wonderful shades Of expression. He sud.
denly forgot his wife and his, position
as minor poet as he looked at her. 7,
Is possible that his cla ssicaI features ma
themselves have undergone a certain
TRANSPORTATION. For one brief moment
and 1t was always to lineer in his mem
ory-destiny lifted him out of hi, vsIr
little self to a nobler level Of simplicity
The copy of "Tenderly ever" ,utteret
from his hand. Considerations vanished
Only one thing seemed of Importance.
Il love you he said abruptly.
An expression Of fear came into he,
eyes. The grip OF her hand. upon one
another frightened convulsiveIy. She be-
came very pale.
Then she moved her lips as IL to speak
bringing her face slightly nearer to his
There was nothing in the world at tina,
moment for either Of them but one an.
other. They were both trembling ex
ceedingiy. In a whisper she said. ''You
love me?'
Aubrey vair stood quiverinz and speech
less. looking into her eyes. He had neve,
seen such a light as he saw there before
He was in a wild tumult of emotion
He was dreadfuIly scared at what h.
had done. He could not say another
word. He nodded.
"And this has come to mer' she said
presently. in the same awe stricken whis
per. and then. 'oh. my love. my love-
And thereupon Aubrey vair had hel
clasped to himself. her cheek upon hi.
shoulder and his lips to hers.
Thus It was that Aubrey vair came BY
the cardinal memory Of his life. To thi,
day il recurs in his works.
A little boy clambering in the hedge
some way down the lane saw this grour
with surprise. and then with scorn and
contempt Recking nothing Of his des.
tiny. he turned away, feeling that he a,
least could never come to the unspeak.
able unmanliness Of hugging girls. Un.
happily for Reigate scandal. his sham.
for his sex was altogether too deep 70,
words.
An hour after. Aubrey vair returned
home in hushed mood. There were
mullins after his own heart for his tea
Mrs Aubrey Vair had had hers. And
there were chrysanthemums. chiefly white
ones-fowers he loved-set out in the
china bowl he was wont to praise. And
his wife came behind him to kiss him
as he sat eating.
DE ill Jummuns," she remarked, kiss
ing him under the ear.
Then it came into the mind Of Aubrey
Vair with startling clearness, while hi.
ear was being kissed. and with his mouth
full of muffin, that life is a singularly
complex thing.
The summer passed at last into the
harvest time. and the leaves began fall.
ing. 1t was evening. the warm sunset
light still touched the Downs but up
the valley a blue haze was creeping
One or two, lamps in Reigate were al
ready alight.
About half way up the slanting road
that scales the Downs there is 4 wooden
seat where one may obtain a fine view
Of the red villas scattered below and OF
the succession Of blue hills beyond. Herr
the girl with the shadowy face was sit.
ting.
She had q book on her knees. but I,