The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-11-29
THE SPRING SONG
BY ALLISON GRANT.

had been the strongest feeling she
had left for her husband. She shiy-
cred as she recalled that she had
married steady Justin Moore, who
was twenty years her senior, because
it seemed the only solution Of ali the
difficulties which piled themselves
before her when her mothers illness
was pronounced incurable. Justin
Moore had long begged for the privi-
lege of being Elilior's husband and
brother and father all il one, and al
though she told him frankly that she
did net love him as she felt she ought,
she allowed him TO claim her, and
now that she was his widow she
was grateful that nothing in her
conduct toward him could have let
him know that each day cf their mar
ried life was day Of bondage to her
On a springlike day in late Feb
ruary, she went out to a theater where
she could see a good old-fashicned
play with happy-ever-afterwarG end
ing.
the orchestra began a scft rendition
of Nerielss9hn's Spring Song" Eli
nOr's thoughts flashed lack tc the
springtime day, five years before,
when she and Barry Elliott had stccd
together on the pier at Old Point Com
fort watching the ships pass il and
out Of the harhor. She lived again
through the evening of that day when
she had stood On the moonit deck Of
a SOuth-houud steamer ard had biGden
gOOd-by to Barry, thus bringing to an
end their acquaintance OF a month
while visiting 1T the Virginia planta-
ton Of Barry's cousin Alice, Elinor's
school friend, who had married short
ly afterward and gene to India with
her engineer husband.
Ali the long, hard years that ha3
interviewed seemed but a troubled
dream to ElinOr As the final curtain
rose to show The hero and heroine
united after having bridged the chasm
which kept them apart during the ear
ly part Of the play, she felt a curious
personal sense Of having bridged the
empty chasIn in her own life and
heart.
She remembered having heard,
shortly after her marriage, of Barry's
engagement to a beautiful Southern
girl, but that die not spoil her mem
CRY of that one perfect evening with
him. He was then a penniless, en-
bryo lawyer, just out Of college, and
he felt that he must attain some SORT
of professional standing before offer
ing himself 10 Elmer, but each had
understood that underneath their
formal gCod-by was a heart cry that
even the long hand clasp could not
fully express or suppress. She hoped
he had been happy, was happy row.
AS she went from the thoater size
stopped 70 lcok at a window display
of blossoning plants, ard uncon-
sciously as she looked she humneG
the opening bars of the Spring
Song" Her deep contralt3 tone at
tracted passing man, wkc was TAX
ing q hasty glance at the window. 4
glance at her brought him t. q sud
den stop. A second glance brought
him to her side. That brought her
eyes upward casually to regard 50
close a neighbor, ard as her eyes Iaet
the clear brown eyes Of Barry Elliott
she brought her hands together with
an impUlSiys movement that let the
viOlets she held fall to the sidewalk
Somehow, words were a small part of
their greeting, of replacing the VIC
lets in her hands, and Of their walk
ing off together down Broadway.
"And your husband?" ventured
Barry. He is with you here?"
My husband died six months ago;
my U0ther-seven. I came away to
try to forget some of the cares OF the
last five years" saiI Elinor quietly
But tell ne of your own life, Barry. !
Is the lovely Southern girl good to
your
why, didn't Alice write you about
my fasco?"
She never mentioned you after
telling of your engagement"
IT'S easily told began Barry
bluntIy. The lovely Southern girl
wanted everything lovely that money
could buy, and when size got ar OPP
to choose between penniless
me and man with a ready-made |
fortune, she chose him. leaving me to I
GENE to my senses and settle down |
20 digging, which | have done con- |
stantly and profitably ever SINCE"
How strange Alice told me none
If that unused Elinor But perhaps |
She thought had enough without 7
that you, too, were unhap-
by
Then my happiness did matter to
7ou, Elinor?' asked Barry.
More than I could ever make you
understand, Barry; but my duty kept
ne from even understanding it my i
self" In a few words Elinor told him
lutte simply what her life lad been
'ince they parted 1t seemed the
'nly way then, but now shudder at (,
he awfulness CT it ALL
And I've shuddered through all the
ears as | thought OF you tied there, |.