The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-05-04
Copyright, 1920, N. E. Az

of the fair young cinema star to the
other gentlemen of the party.
Then another blow impended when
darling Roy, who had no more control
Gale that II she did let him kiss her,
he'd 60 outside and shoot himself. She
heard Gales smothered little laughter
and light advice for him to please 60
far enough away from the house so
that the sound Of the shot would not
disturb the guests.
That evening when Gale consented
to dance for them and looking in her
light draperies like a young dryad out
OF the newly green forests nearby,
swayed rhythmically and POLITICALLY
to the soft music Of the Swan Song"
even Mrs. Fordyce was inclined to for
give Peter for the expression Of rap
ture on his face.
He was new Peter. His eyes were
sparkling. There was an alert, vigor-
Gus swing to his straight young body,
transfused into his veins. The old
1t was after the dance, when Mrs.
Fordyce had heard the richest young
man in the party, the most eligible
young man in Peters set. offer his
heart and hand to the pretty, smiling
Gale, that she went outside to think
things over.
She walked on the terrace alone. A
little ripping breeze, freighted with
the fragrance of lilacs that tossed
their purple plumes in the moonlight.
seemed to anesthetize her hardened
old heart. Dreams Of her own youth
were born of it. The soft call Of a
night bird plucked the strings of ro-
love song OF the long ago. She
seemed to be leaning hard upon this
strong breast of Peters father; Pc.
ter's father, who had gone on, beyond
the stars.
A dragging step sounded on the
stone. Peter, head bent; was walking
YEARLY toward the garden, abloom
with hyacinths and yellow Jasmine.
"Peter." she called.
I'm going off, by myself" he an
swered, hardly pausing. "You can't
understand aud Gale won't do any.
thing to-hurt you"
She lifted her face TO the stars,
those candles aglow on the far-away
altar of the skies. Why, she would
give her body, the blood OF her heart,
for Peter She had brought the girl
he loved there to her house, hoping to
make her i'll at ease, unhappy; hop
ing to disillusion Peter. What cruel
thing old age could be- >.
Would she ever be able to make 1t
up to them? Would she deny Peter
the evergreen memories that cheer
the loneliness Of inevitable old age?
To marry for love, to bring happy,
healthy, wanted babies into the world
That was the paramount issue Of life!
A soft little hand slipped into hers.
She looked down into Gales glowing.
beautiful face. young as spring It,
self. her white shoulders cleaning
like marble under the silken tulle
about them, "Its wonderful night,
a lovers night, isn't 1t. Mrs. Fordyce"
she asked, an almost breathless little
eagerness warming her voice.
She put her arm around tbe girl,
and ewes sparkling with tears, she
bent over to kiss her on the forehead.
"Do you see that little red glow down
there in the garden That's Peters
cigar. He's waiting to tell you that
he loves you and that we want you
ouivering lips touched her cheek,
whitening in spite OF care. Then Gale
was gone like white-winged butter
fly In the moonlight. She heard Pe-
ter's questioning voice, heard his lit
tie cry Of rapture, saw the two figures
merge into one.
She looked again toward the shining
stars and once more out OF the en-.
veloping shadows seemed to feel the
strong breast Of Peters father, her