The Washington herald., 1919-01-01
Brushes Away Memory.

! +aS WI " hNal htI
Brushes Away Memory.
She brushed away the painful
memory. however. almost as soon
as it came. and turned to answer
Billy's laughing. sally. He was at
her right. the rector at her left
Martin had just finished one OF his
amusing stories. and the converse
tion had become general for a while.
But, as she raised her eyes, she en-
countered those Of Tom Farnum.
He was looking at her in a way
! wholly new to him. II was the
tense, questioning gaze Of a man
under strong feeling-the gaze of a
man in love. He had been watch
ing Rebecca as she looked at Mar
! tin.
Since the rectOr's proposal. Re
becca had progressed in her worldly
/ wisdom to the extent OF under
standing what. in all probability.
the look meant. 1t was some mo-
ments before she could withdraw
her eyes from his. His gaze held
her fast painfully and protestingIy.
| Then he looked away and she
gave a little gasp Of relief. which
the kindly. il somewhat obtuse
! Billy. attributed to fatigue.
Say, Becky, you are awfuIIy
tired. aren't you?" ne said in q low
cred voice.
Not bit, Billy" she answered.
You look ripping" he added, in
still lower key: "as handsome as
a picture"
Thanks. Billy: that's ever so coed
in you" she replied absently. She
was in a panic over the possible in
depreciation to be placed upon Toms
| peculiar behavior Of a moment since.
and scarcely heard her companion's
remark
BY Jove!" he whispered to him
self. "she takes it as if she had been
fed on compliments all her life"
Could it be that Tom-happy. ir-
repressible Tom-of whom she had
grown so fond and whom she had
destined for Ernestine, loved her In
stead? Since Rebecca had learned
the joy both OF loving and of being
loved, her heart had grown tender
toward lovers. and especially to-
ward those who love without return
She prayed that it might not be so.
Miracle Mt The EIm,.-
But air that had occurred upon
this day-the coming of the city
guests. the tea garden stolen for the
nonce away from the little islands
across the sea, even the love Of Tom
Farnum for Rebecca. which later.
when the other guests were quiet
! diGnnSnd a
grounds in little groups Of two and
three, surged up to the point of e1-
pression-were but the setting of
the miracle which happened that
night at The Elms, quietly. as mira
cles are wont to happen; for, is not
the bursting bud a miracle. as well
as the sprouting leaf and the wax
ing of the light-winged butterfly
which throws OF his cerements OF
death and darkness and springs into
the joyous light Of day?
Martin had retired to the far end
OF the hall. where a screen hid him
from any one who might be pass
ing. and had dispatched Philip for
Rebecca. He meant to ask her
whether, later in the evening, she
desired him to play. unsccompanied,
NPNu hlo NsOllA II occurred TO MN
that the voice Of the strings steal
ing out upon the night amid the
perfume of flowers and of incense
might add to the pleasure of their
guests. He felt in a mood for music.
There was that within his heart.
pent up there and struggling, which
demanded expression.
Rebecca came to him, moving
softly, and stood before him Just be-
meath the electric light. which gave
a subdued glow from behind its
heavy globe of ground glass. All
her love and pity were written large
over her face, as she looked UP into
the dear, sightless eyes.
What is it Martini" she asked
gently. Phillip said that you want
ed to speak to me-"
Yes" he replied; Il thought that
] might play a bit-sitting right
here on the divan. II you turn out
the light the effect will be rather
good; don't you think sog"
Beautiful" she answered, but as
she spoke something frightened in
her throat and stopped her words.
She stood mute before him.
Then-suddenly- strange ex-
preston came over his face-one
which she had never seen there be-
fore. There was surprise IN IL. and
fear. and eager Joy.