The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-19
FATE.

"Correctl defn1te as dictionary,
Now have the goodness to tell me what
we were talking aboutp
''Impossible; don't remember"
III was telling you that one night at
Florence l had a queer dream, and that
1t had all come true, or at least all but a
few last details. What objection can you
have to listening to my account of itW
sThe heat" and Blanche Wilder
famed herself languidly, ana turned her
head toward the balcony, whence issued
sweet strains OF music.
"It's not to warm for them to Dance"
murmured her companion, trying in
vain to imprison one OF her jeweled
fingers.
| sThey are idiotsl In fact, Hugh, since
you have reminded me Of 1t, the world is
FULL OF ldiotsp
"And am head idiot, suppose?"
"There, certainly, you belong, or you
would never attempt to yentilate your
transcendental stuff on such an occasion
as this, to say nothing of old Sirius up
there doing his best to suffocate us. Pll
hear your dream next Christmas Eve.'
"Then, Blanche, it will be too late"
said the young man, with more feeling
than the circumstances seemed to war
rant.
eau revolr, Mr.. Bertrand. Pm going
to find more agreeable company"-and
five minutes later the young lady was
promenading the piazza with another OF
her admirers.
An hour atterward Hugh Bertrand sat
in his room poring over all old journal.
Let us read;
Florence, Thursday.-A day and q
night long to be remembered. A day of
indescribable pleasure, night of agony
almost uncomfortable. All the morning
in the church of Santa Croce, at the feet
of Galileo, Michael Angelo and Dante.
Art must be as dear to the Great De-
signer as nature, else His creatures
would not be SO evenly thrilled by them.
| 1894? All these years ago! Michael An
gelo, his face strained, yet quiet, as if
by force compelling his will to wait with
moderate patience the lifting of the last
curtain, for which. glimpse he pined.
Galileo, thoughtful, serene, excellent
"Dante. who loved well because he hated
Hated wckedness that hindered loving;
Dante as he muaeion love and Beatrice"
could have fingered here indefinitely,
| but had another engagement for the af-
| ternoon, and was Obliged to hurry Off
hurry it could be called: three hours
passed Gin almost one spot. Spent the
remainder of the daylight at the Floreu-
tine Gallery of Art, examining paintings,
statuary, engrayings and bronzes.
Smoked all the evening, and thought
I'but not once OF her. Indeed l can not
remember of wishing for her or thinking
about her during the whole day. So
| what followed was more wonderful on
that account; and then, too, it was the
first day of real happiness that had come
to me since we parted in New YORK. 1t
was bright moonlight when. returned,
and the moonlight continued in my
dream-soft, lambent, unspeakably de-
| lightiul. / seemed to be in strange
| place. 1t might have been the grand Gu
pola of the Cathedral, Ii Duomo; for
| had suddenly been taken up a considera-
Bile distance, and still surrounded with
| works of art. The city below was en-
yeloped In a singular white mist, slngu-
lar because of constant rolling motion
like that OF the sea when recovering from
a storm. Suddenly the moon was OBJ
scured by huge black cloud. When l
could once more distinguish objects
about me, found that Blanche was by
my side-Blanche SO pale, SO still, SO ut
| terly unlike her own brilliant self, that
| l felt not the least desire to draw her to
my heart, as had always been the case
before.
"Yes, Hugh it is l." she said, as l
looked wonderingly at her, and her tone
was as 10y and unnatural as her manner.
'sThis is my other SELF" she continued;
''my best self; and it has come for you,
to you, as it must always do; for ! ain
yours, and you are mine! You alone
can save me, Hugh. am in great dan-
ger-danger, believe, of eternal ship
wreck. l stretch out my arms for help,
Hugh. Will you save me"
| Her whole appearance was SO unnat-
ural that for moment could not re-
spond: The words fairly iroze to my
lips.
III shall be more beautiful, Hugh, after
a while," she continued, instantly di-
vining my thought. "The spirit is very
bare now, but you will help me clothe it
with all that is rare and beautiful. 1t is
| the sham alone that you MISS"
ssTeil me, dear, how l can best help
you-what you wish Inc to do for you? I
| answered, with an electric thrill. 'sHave
not always been ready, Blanchew
"Yes, always, and l have been most
ungrateful; but must hasten. To-day
have agreed to sell myself, body and
soul, to man we both despise. wanted
his money! or, rather, that Blanche did.
1 want you. Come home directly, and
contrive to save me.
The last words were indistinct, and
my next sensation was of standing In
the middle OF my own room, wide awake,
W1oh hOoi Oo"'A"5 ~ sseNA"Ay w
pulsations could easily be counted by
the heavy thump which threatened to
stop my breath.
4. Friday.-Received letter to-day con-
firming the particulars Of the dream.
Blanche is engaged to Mr.. Ercourt-a
middle.aged, titled Englishman, ''an
unscrupulous scamp" says my CORE.
spondent, "but undeniably millionaire"
"And here 1 am" sighed the weary
man, "and what good has it all done?
can not induce her to listen to me seri-
ously for one moment. One more effort,
and that shall be the last"
"Where now, Hugh~ said sweet
voice from the piazza, the next morning,
after breakfast.
| "ro walk"
scan l comeW
| alt you like"
| "Now, don't be cross, dear, please
don'tW and Blanche Wilder lifted ber
parasol, and, with the utmost n0ncha.
lance, placed her hand on his arm. 81
was cross last night, but it was sutfoeat-
ingly warm. ! am just an angel though,
this morning"
mo, you are not" replied her CON-
panion, with strange deliberation. "You
came to me, Blanche. diyested Of all
-ysFir