Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-06-21
A TOTAL ECLIPSE
By HORTENSE DAVIS.
Observation-Disclosures

''IIow did you happen to come to
this out-of-thc-way place. Edith?"
Il came because l heard you were
here" she told him frankly. but /
didn't dream I'd be so excited. The
old hack simply crept up the noun
tain with me the lone passenger. and
when il finally stopped in front of the
hotel porch verify trembled with ex-
element ut the thought of meeting
you in the crowd. Where were you
then, Jim"
Il came in late from a days fish
Ing"
THAT was why l didn't see you Mt
eat for watching the door. and when
you didn't come In the dining room Mt
all. | was almost sick. | wondered If
| had come too late, and you had prob
ably gone"
'How did you know i was here"
he asked. curious.
"Never mind. I've found you.
went Immediately to the hotel clerk
when had finished dinner. and asked
If you We're still registered here. and
he told me you were. and that your
party had telephoned to have dinner
saved for you. Finally, from my win
dow, I saw someone strOlling up this
path In the moonlight. and / could
barely get your outlines, hut I recOg-
MED your walk, and when I saw the
flicker of your cigar here in the arbor.
that was when ] wanted to come to
you"
The orchestra of the little noun
tain hotel began. Then: perhaps
you'd like to dance with me?' he
asked.
"No, no; that isn't what came here
for. I've had enough of that; too
| much of it, Jim. It's because I've fall
en- In love with you. Jim, that's why
| I'm here" she burst forth.
'But. my dear girl. that's all past"
"No. it isn't all past" she cried. ut
can't be past with you here and me
here. You were always so good and
| patient, you'll forgive me, l know.
| When I asked you for n divorce 1t
was because / thought we were not
suited to each other. You didn't love
people and parties and lights and mu-
sic as I did"
| 81 did enjoy them" he interrupted
"but l told you often what l loved
more than that. / wanted a home
Edith; wanted n freside; longed Ia
| coo vour boautiful faca clorifoJ with
the light Of motherhood. My very soul
was hungry while yon played on and
didn't seem to understand"
| 81 couldn't, Jim. l didn't know any.
thing about making a home. l wasn't
taught to make home. l was taught
to have a good time, and-to marry
impatient with retrospection.
"That was the trouble" he sighed
"God help some of the mothers of to
day! They are not training theil
daughters to be wives, but playthings.'
"But, dear. I understand now. l an
older. and time has taught me many
things. It's you l love now, Jim, moi
Just pleasure. I've learned to love al
your ideas, and / believe / can live VI
to them"
"But you forget that"
"No," she broke in, II haven't for
gotten, but l want to. l want t.
empty my heart of it all. All TIT
money and freedom you gave me will
the divorce has failed: my whole view
point is changed, and l just want you
Jim. Won't you try me again?"
Her arms crept about his neck ant
her eager tears glistened in the moon
light.
It's impossible. little girl" He tool
her hands in his moment. Let m
tell"
"Please, Jim, please" she cried. an
different now. I'll make you happy
You surely can't forget how you one
loved me; that you've held me in you
arms" she sObbed.
But, little girl" he answered grave
~. 81 can't forget, either, that w
recently held my little son in my arms
! married again, Edith. l didn't thin
you'd care"
A cloud passed over the moon jus
then.