The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-12-31


crowded mansion when the Black iDo,,; ,ne
our hero, passed out of the conservotlIpl'
entered the winter garden, and looI,ss,
about him. FW rf4rer 'Neu
Here were ne lighted lamps, FOR H..
moonshine pouring in through the ol ,,s
roof flooded the wonderful, branii1,,1
scene with a soft. bright radiance.
The Black Domino stood peering do,,n
the lovely walks, bordered with everpreern
and hardy roses in full bloom. His eTos
were searching for the swan as he mo-,
| tally called a lovely, white form whom ~
had been watching all the. evening anS
whom he had seen glide through the crow SI
ded room out of the house, and in the al
rection of the winter garden
He had followed her slowly and with dif
ficulty, for he could not slipthro,a t'iamg
as easily as she had,done.
Now, in this freer space and purer air. be
hoped to find her
But she was nowhere to be seen. There
seemed to be no one jim the garden.
Nevertheless. lie walked down betwoer
the hedges of blooming roses until he saw
in the corner Of the rear hedge. an arbo,
of climbing roses, in the midst of which
his eyes caught CLEAN of silvery ralment
He fastened directly to the spot. and
found her there.
She was reclining on the rustic seat. and
had taken off her mask for air revealing
the fair, proud face of Leda Won Kirscb0
berg.
He had not expected this revelation Of
her identity, and he felt that his presence
at this moment might be considered an in.
excusable intrusion upon the privacy Of
the lady.
'Ieda," he said, depreeatingly, as he
stood before her and removed his mask
please to pardon my indiscretion, but |
have been trying to make an opportunity
for speaking with you all the evening"
fact, all the day-but have not succeeded
even in seeing you until tonight"
Tudor, sit down here for a little while
The rooms were so warm and the crowds
so dense that felt like suffocating; SO
came out here to unmask and inhale
breath of fresh air, as she smilingly made
room for him beside her,
81 am very glad you did so. presumed
to follow you. Do you forgive me for nv
presumptien?" he inquired, as he bowed
and took the offered seat.
g That depends" she answered. archly
''How could you know me to follow me?
Or were you, perhaps, following an un-
knoaon white domino that had caught your
fitting fancyT
s'How could know YOU" he reseated
gravcly, taking her hand and fixing his
eyes on her lovely face-"How could |
know your by the same simple, univer-
sal law of nature by which l know myself
for you are my sweeter, purer, higher
selfl Leda, my queen, do you imagine
that any disguise could hide you from nv
knowledge? My heart would always rec
ognize you, Leda!"
T. "Oh, Mr.. Hereward!" she murmured in
low, distressed tone, whose meaning he
could not have perceived, for he went on
to plead.
Il have been seeking you for many
hours, my love, my queenl Not to tell
you in set speech that which my whole
life your dear presence has been telling YOU
ever since we first met, and in that meet
ing recognized each other! All, lady mine.
Ever since that sacred moment of meeting
and mutual recognition, l have been tempt
ed to believe in the old heather myth, that
man and woman were originally one being
but that Jove in rage, cleft themin two,
leaving the halves to seekseach other sOr-
rowing through all the ages. To seek in
vain-as we see by all the mismaiched
couples in this lower world-eXcept in such
happy cases as ours, for, sweet lady,
have found my completion in you and you
yours in me. And we know it now"
oh, Mr.. Hereward" she moaned, in an
almost iuaudibe tone.
Thus, dear Leda, / have not followed
you here to tell you that which you feel
and know so well, but only TO ask your
permission to speak, at once, to your good
father and invoke his blessing on our be-
trothal. But even this / scarcely need to
mention-for surely | know / have your
sanction for it.
ooh, Mr.. Hereward! Pray, pray do not
talk to me in this manner She moaned,
in agitation, as she withdrew her hand
from his fond clasp and covered her white
face.
He gazed on her in surprise and uncasi-
ness, yet scarcely taking in the full mean
ing of her words.
But whyg Why may not speak to
you in this way? Why, Leda? Wby|
he inquired, trying to take her hand again.
She drew it away as she faltered:
cob, Mr.. Hereward Because-Iecsuse
We are only friendsl And We can never be
more to each other than friends! Though
hope" she added, pleadingly, ''that we
nay always be just such dear friends as
We are and have been Shall we not 2" she
prayed, dropping her hands and raising
ler eyes appealingly to his stern, set look.
He met her glance, he gazed on her
white cheeks and trembling form, fxedly,
ncisively, with incredulous amazement
md Indignation in every feature of his
irm, handsome face, for no part Of her
previous demeanor towards him had pre-
Jared his mind for this unexpected re-
,ulse.
miss Won Kirschberg, how is this It
be that hear you Alright !" he
aid.
-'Ah, yes, you do, Mr.. Hereward You
Iear me Alright, she sighed.
And we can beno more than friends ? he
aid, drawing in hard breath. is this
rue p
-'Oh, yes Mr. Hereward 1t is true
md it is heart-breaking p she moaned, IN
voice full of tears.
'Ieda In the name of Heaveni What
% you mean? Explain yourself, l implore
ou!" he urged, in an agony of sorrow
nxiety, and confusion.
II meant mean-Oh, Tudor ny
cart is brokenp And she dropped nsl
cad on her bosom and again covered Ha
ace with her hands.
.Ledai Ledai" he cried with anguish,
"Oh, Tudori Our friendship has been 50
recious, so delightful to mel And-and--
Il our communion has been so improving,
urifying. elevating TO my soul. am 50
lueh less vain, selfish. and frivolous than
hen you first met me, the spoiled child OF