ON THE STAIRS. I2/
And then, with the moon at the full, Came a madness, a swift declaration
That Dahlia s white hand held the world For her lover the old affirmation.
She " was greatly surprised ! Did not think It was earnest. So sorry thought truly
His love was a brother s." His head Swiftly whirled as she answered so coolly.
It was dark after that, for a while,
To the boy, who had bravely been wearing
His heart on his sleeve. A rough blow Cutting deeply, like dagger unsparing.
Fifteen years ago a fair myth
That once touched his life very nearly
Was Dahlia. To-day at the Springs The myth grew a fact very clearly.
��There was, maybe, a slight quickened pulse
In remembrance, as some one said nigh him, " There s Dahlia Tremaine." It was stilled As a matronly figure passed by him.
Stout, blowsy, on dinners intent, With dress illy-chosen and glaring ;
So Gaston saw Dahlia Tremaine,
The nymph of the stairway, uncaring.
�� �
