The Pit

fter persistently cherishing the greys and bitter greens of the winter months, and the rugged white-caps of the northeast gales, mello

and flame-shaped leaves. The elms, maples, and cottonwoods followed. The sooty, blackened snow upon the grass plats, in the residence quarters, had lon

of humid earths disintegrating from the winter rigidity, of twigs and slender branches str

ough North State Street, North Clarke Street, and La Salle Avenue, the minute sparkling of green flashed from tree top to tree top, like the first kindling of dry twig

ternoon the checkered shadows of the leaves thickened upon the drawn curtains of the library. Within doors the bottle-green flies came out of their lethargy

f transplanting, abandoning the winter quarters, migrating with the spring to newer environments, taking root in other soils. Sparrows wrangled on the sidewalks and built ragged nests in the interstices of cornice and coping. In the parks one heard the liquid modulations of robins. The florists' wagons appeare

llowed by cloudless sunshine and full-bodied

en the dryest, the deadest, were enfolded in the resistless swirl of green. Tree top ignited tree top; the parks and boulevards were one smother of radiance. From

motionless, arrested, while the heat, distilled, as it were, from all this seething green, rose like a vas

avalanches of rain. But it broke only to reform, and no sooner had the thunder ceased, the rain intermitted, and the sun again come forth, than one received the vague impres

alation of the city's streets after a shower-pervaded all the air, and the little out

s and rugs unrolled upon the steps. From within, through the opened windows of drawing-room and parlour, came the brisk gaiety of pianos. The sidewalks were filled with children clamouring at "tag," "I-spy," or "run-sheep-run." Girls in shirt-waists and young men in flannel suits promenaded to and fro. Visits were exchanged from "stoop" to "stoop," l

Cresslers and their party, sitting out like other residents of the neighbourhood on the front steps of their house. Almo

the boyish outlines of her small, straight figure-immature and a little angular as yet-never more delightful. The seriousness of her straight-browed, grave, grey-blue eyes was still presen

r hip or breast, the curves all low and flat, she yet carried her extreme height with

ant spring days had just perceptibly mellowed the even paleness of her face, but to compens

violets was tucked into her belt. But no sooner had she exchanged greetings with the

first time, Landry Court standing half in and half out o

sper in Laura's ear. "He told me about-well, he told me what occurred, you know. He came to din

had long since been a thing of the past. Good-tempered, she could not cherish res

g herself with part of Mr. Cressler's eve

essing Miss Gretry, who sat on the opposite side of the steps, "isn't

er thanks, but

top speed and spilling half of it in his eagerness. Laura thanked him with a smile, addressing him, however, by his last name. She somehow managed to

ndolin, Landry whistling a "second," Mrs.

fellow with his talent, I should imagine would find Chicago-well, less congenial, anyhow, than Paris. But, just the same, I do think it was mean of him to break up our play by going. I'll bet a cookie that he wouldn't take part any more just because

a murmur of

ought the play was going to interest a lot of our church people in his Sunday

d Laura. "How should

er the rear axle. His horses were not showy, nor were they made conspicuous by elaborate boots, bandages, and all the other solemn paraphernalia of the stable, yet men upon the sidewalks, amateurs, breeders, and the like-men who understood good stock-never failed to stop to watch the team go by, heads up, the check rein swinging loose, ears all alert, eyes all alight

Civil War, a grey "dust overcoat" with a black velvet collar, and tan gloves, discoloured with the mois

his hand, and, as he joined the groups upon the steps, he was almost sure to remark: "Tugs were loos

laid down her mandolin. "I hope J. does come to-night," she add

about his head in the moveless air. Far off, from the direction of the mouth of the river, a lake steamer whistled a prolonged tenor note. Somewhere from an open window in one of the neighbouring houses a violin, accompanied by a piano, began to elaborate the sustained phrases of "Schubert's Serenade." Theatrical as w

mowoc, in Wisconsin. Why could not Laura make up her mind to come with them? She had asked Laura a dozen times already, but co

" She broke off suddenly. "Oh, now, that I think of it, I want to borrow your 'Idylls of the King.' May I take it for a day or two

ared in doors, leaving Mrs. Cr

Laura at all. She's so inconsistent. How fun

ted himself an amia

ight. The handsomest

Charlie," sighed Mrs. Cressler. "Oh, d

know

a's life wil

God's sak

rl," continued Mrs. Cressler, "t

ned, puzzled

xclaimed. "You'r

to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. And you mark my words, Charlie Cressler, Laura is that sort. There's all the pathos in the world in ju

id Mr. Cressler, r

marry him," mused Mrs. Cressler after a moment's

urned his paper so as to catch the

think so,

never had much use fo

"and so refined. He always had the most beau

rses of his, and how long do you suppose he'd hold those trotters with that pair o

out heart-broken. He wanted to marry her too. My goodness, she must have brought

that boy alone, he mig

his life w

cigar from him wi

t!" he

y, seriously, Charl

illed him with. He's got a level head. On the floor every day, and never yet bought a hatful of wheat on

d have loved to have seen her married to 'J.,' but I can see now that they wouldn't have been congenial; and if Laura wouldn't have Sheldon Corthell, who was just made for her, I guess it was no use to expect she'd have 'J.' Laura's got a temperament, and she's artistic, and loves paintings, and poetry, and Shakespeare, and all that, and Curtis don't care for those things at all. They

go to work and get up a sensation about her, and say that your 'heart bleeds for her,' and that she's born to trouble, and has sad eyes. If she gets into trouble it'll be because some one else makes it for her. You take my advice, and let her

," she m

nd only this morning they closed out another scheme-some corn game. It was all over the Floor just about closing time. They tell me that Curtis landed betwee

perty on Washington S

those department store people took a lease. Guess what they pay him. Three hundred thousand a year. 'J.' is getting richer al

ut to reply, Laura came to th

seem to find your 'Idylls' after all. I

hem for you," excl

answered Laura, as

ura the girl pleaded a headache as an excuse for remaining within. The two sat down by the raised sash of a window at

er, isn't it?" obs

re that of late had become habitual with her pushed her hea

stlessly. "I understand it is to be a very hot summer." T

one breathless instant at Laura's face, dimly visible in

Married? My

ura calmly. "In Ju

ected Mr. Corthell. I thoug

away. I mean it's not Mr.

s. "My dear, dear child, you can't tell how glad I am. From the very first I've said you wer

he seemed a little grave. "I told him I did

, why did y

animation. "You don't realize what it's been.

essler joyfully. "That's 'J.' all over. I might

he couldn't mistake, and just as soon as I'd said that he-he-began. I didn't have any peace until I'd promised him, and the moment I had promised he had a ring on

to be persistent," r

wing-room, I told him 'no' for the hundredth time just as plainly as I could, and he went away early-it wasn't eight. I thought that now at last he had given up. But he was back again before ten the same evening. He said he had come back to return a copy of a book I had loaned him-'Jane Eyre' it w

ra?" demanded Mrs. Cres

ilent. Then

know," sh

rs. Cressler. "You wouldn't have promised him if

ease me from morning until night. And when I finally said I would marry him, why, Mrs. Cressler, he choked all up, and the tears ran down his face, and all he could say was, 'May God

a strange girl sometimes. Dear child, talk to me as though I were your mother. T

tated a lo

hen I wonder if I want to be married, after all. I thought when love came it was to be-oh, uplifting, something glorious like Juliet's love or Marguerite's. Something that would-" Sudd

assured her, "or the kind you see at the matinees. I wouldn't l

st imagine, only yesterday I was saying something about my gloves, I really forget what-something about how hard it was for me to get the kind of gloves I liked. Would you believe

. "I know you will be happy, Laura, dear. You can't

find that it was all a mistake." Her voice shook a little. "You don't know how nervous I am these days. One minute I am one kind of girl, and the next another kind.

ler, "if you don't love Curtis, do

p it. I know it's wrong, but that's the way I am. And I love to be loved. The man that would love me the most would make me love him. And when Mr. Jadwin seems to care so much, and do s

d not restrain a m

you had imagined love would be like Juliet and like that g

to make itself audible from the end of the side street. "That's the team now. I could recognise those horses' trot as far as I could hear it. Let's go out. I know he would li

one thing more," Mrs. Cressler asked, in a whi

d Mr. Cressler from

hook he

go to Geneva Lake for the summer. That's why, you se

ssler's arm around Laura's waist. It was dar

at hand, the hoof beats exactly timed, as

he horse block. Jadwin did not respond until he had passed the reins to the coachman, and taking

" he announced, "and we had to

ith his slouch hat, and dropped into th

driving gloves, "I've no feeling in my fingers at all

man home, and to take Laura for a drive towards Lincoln Park, and even a li

. "I should love to go, but I ran o

ra," protested Mrs. Cressler. "It will be simpl

them drive off, sitting side by side behind the fine horses. Jadwin, broad-shouldered, a fresh cigar in his teeth, each rein in a do

," commented Mr. Cress

behind the others, watching, turned to Mrs. Cressler. She thought she

-a fine-looking couple together, aren't the

f that month Laura's engagement to Curtis Jadwin was formally ann

seemed suddenly to have been trebled, but it was invaded frequently by stran

arth rug, and sat down upon the floor to sort them carefully. At her little desk near by, Page, in a blue and white shirt waist and golf skirt, her slim little ankles demurely crossed, a cone of foolscap over her forearm to guard against ink spots, was writing in her journal. This was an interminable affair, voluminous, complex, that the young girl had kept ever since she was fifteen. She wrote in it-she hardly knew what-the small doings of the previous day

o the room. Then she paused, her eyes growing wide and thoughtful. She wrote another line and

e eight.... And if I could only find the mate to this w

stockings drew one of the silk ones over he

s a thread started, and now it wil

atching pa

eamily, "Laura, how d

answered Laura, c

do you ever get very, very

eeled the stocking from her arm. "When I'm

ighed

indefinitely. "I lie awake at nig

sister calmly. "It isn't natural for a young healt

he window a long time. And everything was so still and beautifu

o Heaven in

ose lines f

o Heaven in

oul foll

few days, and thee, the all-beholding sun shall see no more.' It's from Thanatopsis, you know, and I thought how beautiful it would be t

't you marry. Of course you'l

n," Page interrupted, sha

you-you admire and respect-whom you love. What would you say, hon

ed about i

king? Are you going to be married? Who to? I

t as well tell you-some one will if I d

you say? Oh, I'll never tell.

omised. I said yes. Why shouldn't I? He lo

t. You must love

ied Laura. "Indeed

nestly. "Don't, don't talk that

her head i

him. It ought to be enough for him if she lets him give her everything she wants in the world. He ought to serve her like the old knigh

s after they'd promised to marry them," urged Page. "

atinees. Girlie," cried Laura, "I am going to have the most beautiful gowns. They're the last things that Mi

thrusts of her long, white hands, the fingers extended, and ran from the room exclaimin

st in thought, sighing deeply at interva

tiful-so beautiful, that it makes me sad. When I think of love in all its beauty

little square of chamois skin. Her writing-desk was a miracle of neatness, everything in its

ces of her occupancy-a glove button, a white thread, a hairpin. Page was at

y-away," she ob

o Aunt Wess' the little ol

to tell the truth, I thought at first it was to be that Mr. Corthell. He always seemed so distinguis

ry," murm

ere? My word, child, don't be afraid t

s I know more decidedly what our plans are to be. No, we won't live here. Mr. Jadwin is going to buy a new h

e! Of course I know it. Why, it takes in the whole block, child, a

o, and a box at the opera, and a country place-that is to be bought day after to-morrow. It's at Geneva Lake. We're to go there after we are married, and Mr. Jadwin has bought the dearest, loveliest, daintiest little steam yacht. He showed the photograph of her yesterday. Oh, honey, honey! It all comes over me sometimes. Think, only

seriously. "Child, you are not marrying him for carriages and organs and saddle h

gamuffin if he gave me all these thing

that way, Laura," she remarked. "Eve

with Laura was foregone for this occasion. Jadwin had stayed very late at his office, and from there

American beauties" for her corsage, and a huge bunch of violets for the bowl in the library. She insisted that Page should wear her smartest frock, and Mrs. Wessels her grenadine of great occasions. As for herself, she decided upon a dinner gown of black, decollete, with sleeves of lace. Her hair she dressed higher than ev

spirits, and went down to the dining-room to super

ht be expected at any moment, her humour chang

les, and suddenly declared that the wearing anxiety of house-keeping was driving her to distraction. Of all days in the week, why had Jadwin chosen

y." There was no style, no smartness to her dress; her hair was arranged u

g off her roses and

e Mr. Jadwin. I simply will not see any one to-night, Mr. Jadwin least of all. Tell h

e her decision. At last Page hazarded a remonstrance to the effect that if she had known that

eat Laura los

you will be well dressed, and just as soon as I dare to express the desire to see you appear like a gentlewoman, I get it thrown in my face. And why do I do it? I'm sure I don't know. It's because I'm a poor weak, foolish, indulgent sister. I've given up the idea of ever being loved by you; but I

n answer, but drew in her breath and

me-deliberately, defiantly. And it does seem strange," she added, her voice beginning to break, "that when we two are all alone in the world, when there's no father or mother-and you are all I h

other's arms by now, and Page

You must forgive me and be very kind to me these days. I know I'm cross, but sometimes these days I

Laura could not be persuaded to go down. No, she was going to bed; she had neuralgia; she was too nervous to so much as think. Her gown was "Dutchy.

monastic, of her dresses, plain to the point of severity. Her hands were bare of rings. Not a single jewel, not even the most modest ornament relieved her sober

n an animated discussion with Jadwin as to the name of their steam yacht, she ate two plates of wine jelly before she was aware. She expressed a doubt as to whet

st for the boat," she declared. "Some

rm, and they preferred not to sit on the "stoop." Jadwin lit a cigar; he still wore his business clo

he 'Artemis,'"

y in print; but somehow I don't fancy them. They're hard to read, and t

ped over in her one day, he and the three daughters of a lady I knew well, and two days afterward they found them at the bottom of the lake, all holding on to each other; and they fetched them up jus

objected Laura. "Ours is a steam yacht.

easure boats," answered Aunt Wess'. "My wor

head at Laura, h

m all at home, Laura,

him off into the drawing-room across the hall. Mrs. Wessels seized upon

an Jadwin, "how's th

om-turning over the leaves of "The Age of Fable," looking for graceful and appropri

" she answered. "I told Page

but clumsy hand upon Laura's head, adding, "Laur

her abruptness, said, "It always makes me nervous to have my hair touched. No, they were not surprised; unless it was that we were to

turned to the subject again, interrupted

terations of the house at Geneva. The contractor brought them to

sted at once, "you mean about

his summer. When we go up there we want everything finished, don't we? We don't want a lot of workmen cla

. Thoughtful, he tugged his mustache in silence for a moment. Perhaps, after all, it cou

what. I'll make a

sat down at the table opposite her a

by George! That would be-would be such a wonderful thing for me. I know," he hastened to add, "I know, Laura, you aren't demonstrative. I ought not to expect, maybe, that you- Well, maybe it isn't much. But I was thinking a while ago that there wouldn't be a sweeter thing imagi

ndefinitely, as she continued to search t

n con

cord, when I'm not thinking of it; and I'll get that conservatory in for you. I'll manage it somehow. I'll start those fell

rly embarrassed, unable

gain?" persi

at way," she murmured

shan't speak about it again

et. Why not call

the 'Swallow,' or the 'Arrow.' Somethin

e the 'The

hen. She's your st

y stood for a moment in the hallway, while he drew

re at about ten," he

made it impossible to erect a new building, he had bought, and was now causing to be remodelled, an old but very well constructed house just outside of the town and once occupied by a local magistrate. The grounds were ample, filled with shade and fruit trees, and fronted upon the lake. Laura had nev

t." She held out her hand. But Jadwin put it quickly aside, and took her swiftly and

mitted, p

you love me without crumpling me so? Curt

into his face, surprised to find it su

, my girl! Just the touch of your hand, the smell of your hair. Oh, sweethear

od-night. God bless you,"

Episcopalian church of which she was a member. The wedding was very quiet. Only the Cresslers, Miss Gretry, Page, and Aunt Wess' we

h had set in early in the morning, developed by eleven o'clock into a s

should leave her. She would allow only Mrs. Cressler to help her. The time pas

k vaulting of the nave and chancel. The janitor or sexton, a severe old fellow, who wore a skull cap and loose slippers, was making a great to-do with a pile of pew cushions in a remote corner. The rain drummed with incessant monotony upon the slates overhead, and upon the stained windows on either hand. Page, who attended the church regular

ered Aunt Wess', as the pour upon t

the rack, and kneeling upon a hassoc

he little old lady was never more in need

she whispered, vaguely. "

counting the pews, missing a number here and there, confusing herself, always obliged to begin over again. From the direction of t

ied three times." Page, unheeding and demure, turned a leaf, and began with "All those who travel by land or water." Mr. Cressler and young Miss Gretry

ie is with her. I'm going into the vestry room. J. has j

urned to Pag

this rector has been

ayer book, so the little old lady add

mpressed, made a despairing gesture with

't t

child, whatever

n I open my mouth-I'v

ack in her seat, exas

urmured to herself, "I

e kindly fruits of the

led herself a second time the door of the vestry room opened and the wedding party came out; first Mrs. Cressler, then Laura, then Jadwin and Cressler, and then, robed in billowing white, venerable, his prayer book in his

all measure, and was keeping himself in hand only by a tremendous effort. She could guess that his teeth were clenched. He stood by Cressler's side, h

tomed black, she wore a tan travelling dress, tailor made, very smart, a picture hat with heavy plumes set off with a clasp of rhinestones, while into her

she whimpered. "There's the l

. She sniffed once or twice, and then began

think that's the same little girl I used to rap on the head with m

y girl, hypnotised with emotion and taken all unawares, gave vent to a shrill hicco

le strangled with the sobs in her throat, so t

agnificent, orotund, began sudden

sight of God, and in the face of this company to joi

of the Easter service had the chancel and high altar disengaged a more compelling influence. All other intrusive noises died away; the organ was hushed; the fussy janitor was nowhere in sight;

charge you both, as ye shall answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed," weighed down upon her spirits with an almost intolerable majesty. Oh, it was all very well to speak lightly of marriage, to consider it in a vein of mirth. It was a pretty solemn affair, after all; and she herself, P

d the Son, and God

hurch, as on the day of Pentecost, when the apostles received the

was, in fact, very pale. There was emotion in Jadwin's eyes. Page could see them plainly. It seemed beautiful that even he, the strong, modern man-of-affairs, should be so move

to come ye may have l

nce, then the group about

her feet, "it's all over, Page. Come

Mr. Cressler-kissed her. When Page's turn came, the two sisters held each other in a close em

s way forward. "It was on the table when we came out just now. T

t. Inside was a great sheaf of Jacquemino

always inspired in the lives and memorie

. S.

o the Dearborns' home, where Laura and Jadwin were to get their

alking at once, while the servants, bare-head

te, I'd forgotten som

ied Jadwin and Cressler as she started towa

ing. You wouldn't

urned about, and went from room to room, looking long into each; first Aunt Wess's bedroom, then Page's, then the "front sitting-room," then, lastly, her own room. It was still in the disorder caused by that eventful morning; many of the ornaments-he

not hallowed by association. Now she was leaving it forever. Now the new life, the Untried, was to begin. Forever the old days, the old life were gone. Girlhoo

er this warm mist of rain? The tears-at last-were in her eyes, and the sob in her thro

Good-by.

r head in her folded arms, she prayed-prayed in the little unstudied words of her childhood, prayed that God would take care of her and ma

strong, heavy even, laid upon her. She raised her head and

"I thought-Dear, I und

roughly understood-understood without chance of misapprehension, without shadow of doubt; understood to her heart's heart. And with the knowledge a new feeling was born within her

ng his face down to her, kissed him again and again, an

d, as she stood from him, though still hol

knowing it. And I've been cold and hard to you, and now I'm sorry, sorry. You were wrong, remember that time in the library, when you said I

the incident of which she s

emember? You didn'

I did forget it. That's the