The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-03

cheeks There was no doubt about
| woman.
DO you think that it is pretty
gown? 1t is a little old, | know"
| she went en- hurriedly, but it is
nicely made. and the co1ors used to
suit me. l was different then,
though" she added with a sigh.
1 was scarcely more than boy
and most unprofessional lump
had risen in my throat. To me there
was something very pathetic about
the dress, and the other little at
temps at decoration about the
| room.
knew too we'll the meaning of
| that exquisite color, and the unreal
| beauty of her face.
10th though I was to admit it to
myself. they were too ethereal for
health. 1t was like the strange star
like beauty of some tropical plant
which blossoms into perfection and
fades in a single day. My heart was
sad, and though l answered cheer
You look charming. Miss Des-
mond. Let me wish you very
happy Christmas, and no end of
good fortune in the new year.
Thank you, doctor. Do you
know, l believe that your wish will
| ColHo II uCs dH CAPCStiHS q NiSl-
tor"
A visitorl 1t was odd how inter-
ested I felt. sat up in my chair
and looked at her inquiringly
Indeed! Some of your relations,
I persume? 1 am glad"
She was a full minute before she
answered me. During that time ]
crushed fallen cinder under my
boot into powder,
mo, it is only-a friend"
"A MANI"
yes"
She was too absorbed to notice or
resent the impertinence of the ques-
ton. There was shy, soft look in
her downcast eyes, and happy
smiles parting her lips. Her thoughts
were far away, and 1 was forgotten.
AS for me, the light seemed to
have died out of the bright winter
day. The cheerful, blazing fire had
dwindled down into a handful of
heartsick. I could not understand
what had happened, but 1 knew
that I had a longing to get away
into my room and lock the door
upon my misery. Yet I must be
quite certain.
"He is very dear friend, I sup
poser"
Yes, very dear"
Why has he not come to see you
before?"
He has been away. He has
known nothing. I have been con-
tent to wait for his return. He will
come to me now"
The dreamy far-away look mad
dened me. 1t was strange that she
did net notice the sharpness of my
tone.
rs that why you are wearing
| that dress?"
Eyes. Is was his favorite. He
used to think 1 looked better in it
than anything"
looked away quickly, with some
! thing like groan almost escaping
me.
so you have been keeping it for
him. You would not let anyone
else see you in it, even"
Her expression changed swiftly.
I had touched a painful chord How
/ hated myself for it.
at was not that" she said in a
low tone. Il had not get it. I was
very poor. and I had to-to-part
with it for time. But 1 used to
yesterday l was able to bring it
away. Oh, how thankful I was All
the others have gone, but it would
have broken my heart to have
parted with this one. He Xix ed
it SO much"
A great great wave Of pity rose up in
meaner feeling before it. 1 bent
forward with my eyes fixed upon
the fire, and all that l could so well
imagine seemed to rise up before
me in sort of dream picture.
Doctor. forgive me for inter
rupting your daydream." she said
nervously; but 1 fancied that |
heard a cab stop in the street. and
you knew I am expecting a visitor.
| Would YOU"
rose quickly and turned towards
the door.
81 beg your pardon I'm sure. Miss
Desmond" I said. MY next case
is very interesting one, and in
thinking of some of the symptoms,
I lost myself for moment. Once
more, a happy Christmas''
She looked perfectly beautiful as
she laughed and nodded to me with
the strange new color in her cheeks
and her whole manner and bearing
full of a newborn animation. She
| might have posed for a statue of
"hope"-not that strong. calm hope
which is but a misnomer for faith,
but hope tempered by uncertainty.
very greatness of the issue, yet
with all woman's sweet trust in
the man she loves, leaning towards
the belief that this meeting, to
which she was looking forward
with so much yearning tenderness,
would end as she would wish.
So / saw her, and saw her for
the last time. When next l looke ed
into her face she was dead
| woman.
I met no one on the stairs after
leaving Miss Desmond, and instead
of spending the day as l planned,
went straight back to my apart
ments.
At 1 O'clock I had some lunch
or rather some was placed before
me, for 1 had no appetite and
scarcely touched anything. The
afternoon l spent quite alone in my
study.
1t must have been about twenty
minutes to five before / was dis
turbed by a violent ringing of the
surgery bell, and almost immedi
ately afterwards my housekeeper
| knocked at the door.
i "A gentleman wishes to see you
Immediately, SIR" she announced.
SHOW him in 1 directed.
He had evidently followed close
behind her, for before she could
turn around he had walked into the
room. 1 turned up the lamp and
rose from my chair.
Every minute detail of his ap
| pearance comes back to me even
now, after SO many years, a s clearly
as the ugh 1T were but yesterday
His was not "A face to be easily for
gotten. l suppose it would not
strictly have been called hand
some one, but it was, at any rate
both striking and powerful; and in
his carriage. even in his great
| haste, WIS dignified and easy l
| listened to hear his errand with
in,v haf in
| ence of no ordinary man. and with
/ The curinSitX w hich seldom felt in