The Washington herald., 1920-11-20
An O. Henry Story---ss -sASfoHE s s1S lH

I night which has come and stran.
gled his fOrtitude and sent him out
to seek a port amid its depressing
pillows.
My weekly letter from home
failed TO come" he told her, 'and I
was pretty blue. l knew / had e.
go before long and / was tired OF
waiting. ] went out and bought
morphine at every drug store where
they would sell me a few tablets
/ got thirty-siX quarter grains, and
was going back to my room and
take them. but / met a queer fellow
on the bridge. who had a new idea.
Goodall fillips a little pasteboard
box upon the table. Il put EN- all
together in there"
Miss Rosa, being a woman. musr
raise the lid, and gave a slight
shiver at the innocent looking tritu-
rates 'Horrid things, but those
little. white bits-they could never
kill one"'
Indeed they could. Walter knew
better. Nine grains of morphia
Why, half the amount might.
Miss Rosa demands to know about
Mr.. Hurd. of Toledo. and is told
She laughs like a delighted child
What a funny fellow. But tell me
more about your home and your
sisters, Walter. know enough
about Texas and tsrantulas and
cowboys"
The theme is dear. just now, to
his mood. and he lays before her the
simple details of a true home: the
little ties and endearments that so
fill the exile's heart. OF his sisters
one. Alice. furnishes him a them.
he loves to dwell upon.
She is like you. Miss Rosa" n,
says. Maybe not quite so pretty
/ but just as nice and good. and"
There! Walter" says Miss Ros,
sharply, now talk about somethins
else"
But a shadow falls upon the wal
outside, preceding "a big. softl,
! treading man, finely dressed. VIII,
pauses a second before the curtains
I and then passes on. Presently come,
the waiter with a message: Mr.
Rolfe says"
Tell Rolfe I'm engaged"
don't know why it is" saw
Goodall, Of Memphis. but / dom
. feel as bad as l did. An hour age
wanted to die. but since I've me
you. Miss Rosa, I'd like so much t.
live"
The young woman whirls around
( the table, lays an arm behind hi,
neck and kisses him on the cheek.
| You must, dear boy" she SAYS
Il know what was the matter. II
was the miserable foggy weather
that has lowered your spirit and
mine too-a little. But look, now
With little spring she has drawn
back the curtains. A window is In
4 the wall opposite, and 10! the mis-
is cleared away. The indulgent moor
is out again. revoyaging the plumb.
/ less sky. Roof and parapet and
spire are softly pearl enameled
Twice, thrice the retrieved river
flashes back, between the houses
the lgiht of the armament. toni,
day will dawn, sweet and pros,
porous.
Talk of death when the world &,
so beautifulr says Miss Rosa. lay
ling her hand on his shoulder. "DC
something to please me, Walter. &C
home to your rest and say: I near
to get better and do it."
IF you ask it," says the boy, with
a smile, Il will"
The waiter brings full glasses
Did they ring? No; but IL is well
He may leave them. A farewell
glass. Miss Rosa says: ITO you
better health, Walter" He says
ITO our next meeting"
His eyes look no longer into tn,
void. but gaze upon the antithesis Of
death. His foot is set in an undis
covered country tonight. He is ODE
dient, ready to go. Good night
she says.
'T never kissed a girl before" h
confesses. except my sisters"
you didn't this time," she laughs
"T kissed you-good night
When shall see you again." h,
persists.
"You promised me to go home.
she frowns, "and get well. Perhap
we shall meet again soon. Goo,
night" He hesitates. his hat II
hand. She smiles broadly and kisse
him once more upon the>-forehead
She watches him far down the aisle
then sits again at the table.
The shadow falls once NOR,
against the wall. This time the biz
softly stepping man parts the cur
!. tains and looks in. Miss Rosa'Seye
meet his and for half a minute the,
remain thus, silent, hghting q bat