LONG banks of green stretching far as the eye can reach with
the silvery ribband-like river flowing in between. Here
and there the smoothness of the green is broken by uprising
masses of verdure which outline themselves distinctly against the
background of blue sky. Behind the mountains which' crown
the distance the sun is just setting and flooding the picture with
a golden light.
And into the picture comes a man and a maiden. A mass of
brown and a mass of red. Her face is earnestly thoughtful with
a touch of sadness, while his is earnest and pleading, but with a
touch of uncertainty there.
Passionately he pleads, for his heart is in his words, and sadly
she responds, for the true woman in her hesitates to wound.
The dying sunlight mellows and tinges the banks of green and
shines on the silver river. Then she extends her hand and he
takes it, but it is with a touch of resignation.
And then the sun goes down and the gold and green and silver
change to blackness, and darkness covers the face of things.
TWAS noon of the next day and Stoger was sitting at his
desk more ill-humored than ever, and when some one
rapped at the door he refused to notice it, The rap was
repeated and he reluctantly growled, " Come in."
In the doorway stood a slender girl. " Excuse me—l don't
suppose you know me," she said. Stoger recognized her at once
as the girl with whom his young draughtsman had been holding
the t6te-h-tote which he had witnessed several days previous, and
on this account it pleased him greatly to say coldly:
" I regret that I do not."
" I, I,—my name is Rosa Reichelt, Mrs. Kiinig is my sister and
The Free Lance
A POSTER EFFECT
.4 ~,st ot
CHRISTMASTIDB
(CONCLUDED)
[JANUARY,