Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-22


opened and Jean came in
Have you forgiven me, my DEAR" / asked,
as kissed her sweet mouth remembering my
hard words few evenings ago.
''oh, indeed, Octavia, had nothing to for
give. surely If you may not speak your mind to
me. who can? See. have brought YOU these
white iilacs, Octayia. Baron Won Stock gave me
such large bunch of them yesterday. and at
once l thought of you and the dear, dusty
studio You know always used to keep the
old place frightened up Bit
Then, as she separated the fragrant white
flowers and arranged them in my two majolica
vases she asked in a shy voice:
Have YOU seen Denis, OCtava?"
NO. my little Jean; but | sent him your
note"
Did you read it. Octavia:"
My dear no. | noticed it was unsealed but
fancjed that an oversight, SO l fastened it up
/ tight and sent it on its way. You did not tell
me to read it. Jean"
1t does not matter" she answered. Then
after little pause: 1t was only to tell him.
Octava, that Baron Won Stock and Mr.. Hayi-
/ land have decided Il shall be on the 18th OF
/ June" j made no reply. though | knew it
was her wedding day she strove to speak Of so
! calmly.
She came and rested her hands upon my
| shoulders.
You do not answer me, Octavia. Are you,
then, so Indifferent"
My child" said. ''since you have decided
| in your own heart what is best, why should
! repiyi"
Yes. that Is true" Then, kissing me: al
have tried, Octavia indeed have to do all for
the best. l love Denis-ah, how truly do
love him-but my word is pledged. What can
d0:1
Nothing" answered dryly, "since you feel
as YOU do
And now 1t seemed to me the DAYS fairly raced
by In their eagerness to reach the 18th of June
l saw Denis frequently Jean less often. The
how |, xIx,
row. He would come and talk to me by the
| hour. tamping up and down the studio
rumpiing III his fair hair, and repeating over
and over how much he loved her-how cruel it
all was
why doesn't she tell Baron Won Stock" he
said. You don't suppose the man would force
| her To marry him against her will?'
Why don't gOu tell hm:" / answered.
How can do that? Can 90 and tell the
baron that feel sure Jean does not love him.
and is only marrying him because of her fathers
stupid promise and some absurd nonsense about
the family honor: Don't her very actions give
my words the lie direct? Didn't | tell it all TO
old Hayiland. and much good did 1t do He
smiled at me as blandly as possible, and asked
me if L came at Miss D'Orsay's request OF
course. l was obliged to say No. Then he
smiled more blandly than before and said
when Miss D'orsay comes to me with the same
petition, will consider it, Was there ANYTHING
left for me to do, but take myself off, after
that"
No. had TO agree with him; there was moth
ing else left to do
Now. listen" continued Denis s'YOu are
fond Of me. you know. and it will consequently
give You pleasure to do me good turn. Jean
viii not see NE, and must her before the
! 18th. Won't you get her here next Sunday af-
ternOon ard then let me come in quite by acct
dent? You will. won't youi'
.'Denis Durant." | said solemnly, 'isince YOU
We're Il Curly-headed boy | have never refused
N or In
| likely to do So now? Yes. you shall have one
More chance. | will ask Jean to come And now
be OF. my six young ladies Will be here in less
than ten minutes and shall lose my reputation
"a stern Instructor if they catch sight of your
handsome face"
Pass Inc off as your model said he impr-
IDENTIFY; then. coming back and putting his yell
10" head down carezsingly: You will make
her come. Octayia:"
Eyes. yes" answered touching his bright
locks, do not fear; you shall see her once
more"
This was Wednesday, the 5th of June: in ten
DAYS Jean was to be married. i wrote her
note asking her TO come to me on SUNDAY. She
sent NE word she would be with me at five
clock In the afternoon; at six Baron Won
Stock would call to take her to dine at his sis
teFs, where his relations We're to meet her for
the first time collectively.
Sunday came. one of those sudden intensely
warm days. foretaste Of what July and August
would prove. After my rather tardy luncheon
drew the old .chintz couch across the broad
window, placed my low chair near closed the
Venetian blinds. and waited for my lovers.
Denis came first, putting in his head eau
tiously, and then advancing eagerly when he
saw | was alone.
'Will she come, Octavia? Am too late?"
"She will COME answered, and even as l
made reply l heard her step upon the stairs
Denis drew back into the window. q moment
and then the door was slowly opened and Jean
came in. She walked down the long ROOM and
we two watched her as she came. She was
already dressed for dinner in a long soft, white
silk, made very simply. with some rich old lace
at the throat, and short, hanging sleeves. Her
breast-knOt was of her favOrite dark Russian
violet; her wayy. brown hair knotted In some
Old-fashlOned style upon the top of her proud
little head and held there by quaint silver
comb; In Der hands she carried her white
fan and her long. white silk mittens Save for
the deep blue of the viOlets. there was not a
ray OF color about her, and her face was as white
as her gown.
put out my hands to her as she drew near
me; she took them in hers and, bending. kissed
NE twice. You dear Octavia, she said, '.how
cool and calm and happy you look here. / never
come that it does not do me good and vet |
always leave with heartache. Are YOU glad to
see me, Gctayia:'
MY little Jean, am very glad You do not
come so often now, my dear, and l miss you
very much"
1T is not my fault that keeps me away.
OctaYia, she said, using one Of her foreign
, ldloIls, but my weakness. | dare not come.
for every time do my courage wakes fainter
Iou and the old studio are so full of pleasant
dear memories. and -of-him."
Jean. Jean. my darling cried Denis COM
Ing forth from his hiding and taking both her
hands in his.
Are yOu here:" she cried Then beginning to
trembie u little, and in low voice. with now
and then sob: '-Oh. Denis, you should not
Octavia, why did you let him come? Oh my
dear. dear Denisl"
Ii was all very, very sad Jean stood there in
her white cleaning dress, sobbng with Denis
holding her hands in his. entreating her in pas-
si0nate tones to listen to the love in both their
hearts.
Il cannot" she said family "oh, Denis, 1
cannot"
Then you do not love me-" cried he hotly.
Love you.' she auwered. '.Ah. YOU do not
know how love you. love you more earn
estly, more deeply, than it is possible for YOU to
understand But, OH can't you see? it is not
my promise ] must keep, it is my fathers. II
will not greatly matter if my heart is broken"
she added little wildly, 80 our honor is kept
clean"
For few moments there was silence then
from out the gloom, far down the long studio
came voice:
Jean, mein liebling, art thou ready for me.
Pardon, madam, that 1 intrude myself upon
you"
Baron Won Stock walked into our midst. and
there was Jean, crying, and Denis holding both
her hands.
.sBut what ia this rcontipnad tho poro, +