Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-24

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1t is as cold as stone"
Absolutely ?" said Mauvain, in an
amused tone.
Absolutely" said Harold, in a serious
tone.
Harold, you charm me out of myself,
and cause me to forget events which have
made us fugitives from our native land"
81 am happy to be of use. !"
Have you subjected this comedy of
yours to criticism -
81 have searched and examined it
iearnedly and severely, and have always
condemned it."
Then you have been most insincere
actor, having played it so often in a mask
which no man or woman-saw.
Admitted. But how different has it
been with you You have entered heart
and soul into your pleasures. Life for you
has been a ieweled cup, into which love
flowed as often as you drained it and you
drained it often, Mauvain, and with zest. "
" You have envied ME.
Never. l would not have changed with
you would net change with you. For
if it happen, as it may, that that for which
1 yearn come within my reach, [ shall taste
joy it is impossible for you ever to have
known, ever to know p
''Coxcomb /" exclaimed Mauvain. But
you are right, perhaps, in that part of your
hypothesis which applies to the future.
Alas you have thirty years the advantage
of me- What would give for those thirty
years p
'You are fond of life, Mauvain. .
81 worship it, and deplore the days that
pass too quickly by. Yes, / am fond of
life, and use it to it's proper end. Nature
bestows it, and says, Enjoy. l obey; |
open my heart and soul to the pleasure to
be derived from all life, animate and IMAM
innate, which surrounds me, and like the
bee l live on what is fairest."
eAnd sink to earth, clogged with sweet
ness"
"What then? It is not death nature
recuperates, and bids you enjoy once more.
Ungrateful to refuse. 1t is the only true
philosophy.
Feed on it. then; l have philosophy
of my own"
"And SO, Harold, after all these years
you come to the conclusion that you have
never loved.
Never; and you, Mauvain, seri-
ously?"
"To love seriously, replied Mauvain,
laughing, "is to substitute pain for pleas
ure. :"
But in truth?
In truth, then, and without serious
ness, have loved hundred times. Nature
in me has most devout admirer, and
when spring comes round l open my heart
to it. Youth-which means beauty,
Harold-has an irresistible attraction for
me. All, if 1 possessed it in my own per-
son Ii it could be bought! +"
''There are such fables.
"That is the misfortune of it-they are
only fables. l must die one day, suppose.
If could choose the time and manner of
my death, l would die in spring, with
evidences of beauty's birth around me-"
"Would it not be better" said Harold,
grimly, "to die surrounded by wiutry
One could say good-by with
greater equanimity. Mauvian, I am curious
upon certain matters. You will pardon
me If continue speaking ON a theme find
very fascinating"
Certainly. The theme is -"
"You, Mauvain-yourself, your nature,
motives, inner life; for years you have
fascinated me-
You are entertaining me with a-suc-
cession of surprises. Harold. You have
made study of me, then p
Gin my idle way, Mauvain, l have made
a study of you"
"Give me some idea of myself-for of
course you know me thoroughly"
'sDIost thoroughly, think, said Har-
old, listlessly; "but will wait for
more appropriate opportunity to satisfy
your curiosity. In the meantime, satisfy
NINE
Proceed you will not overstep the
line
"That divides us No, l will not over
step it. Mauvain, you and l know some
thing OF each other; we have shared danger
and pleasure together. How many advent
ures have we been engaged in Light
enterprises undertaken to put life into
hours And always successful, Mauvain.
However small the within, it was gratifed,
never mind at what expense to others"
EDO you intend, said Mauvain, "to
drag the whole world into your exord-
ium ?"
"Heaven forbid Every man for him.
self !; every woman, too but she generally
is"
% l have found it So"
''Selfsh to the backbone; cunning
artful; but unfortunately for herself,
weak.
"Not always, Harold, said Mauvain,
following with but an idle attention the
current of his companions spoken thoughts.
"These weak creatures are capable of much
that man would shrink from. Given to
each equal scope and opportunity, 1 would
sooner incur the hatred of three men than
of one woman.
Yes, we learn these lessons but wo-
man can be persuaded her nature is gra-