, 1889-08-14
LOVES PHILOSOPHY.

Among those summer visitors at HON.
burg who regularly attended the after-
noon concerts on the Kur terrace was a
lady dressed in deep mourning. She al
ways occupied a bench in one of the most
retired spots and listened to the perform
ance of the band with a peculiar, dreamy
expression in her lovely eyes. When
she first made her appearance there her
slender and distinguished figure and her
light golden hair created quite u sensa-
ton, especially among the men. But
she maintained her grave reserve deter
minedly, and avoided making herself
conspicuous in any way, and, as she was
In reality older than she appeared to be
at first sight-for her light hair was apt
to puzzle even an experienced Judge
this attention soon ceased. Neither did
she seek the society of ladieJ. In short,
she preferred to DO left entirely 10 her
own thoughts, and was never met in
company OF anybody.
A certain occurrence, however, pro-
duced an abrupt change in her; during
one of the afternoon concerts, while her
large, dark eyes, with shadows of sor-
rowful experience over them, were gaz-
ing into the distance as usual, she sud
denly started with surprise, and q deep
blush mounted to her pale face as she
beheld a tall man slowly walking down
the path near which she was seated. He
wa an officer, in n captains uniform, a
man of fine form and knightly bearing,
with n full, dark blonde beard, grave
features and deep blue eyes that betok-
ened gentleness. He did
not carry a saber, but supported himself
upon u cane with n large ivory handle.
He also showed signs of surprise when
he saw the lady in mourning. He hest
tated q moment, as if he wished to turn
back, but finally resumed his walk and
bowed towards the bench in n respectful
manner, which indicated that he had no
intention of renewing an old acquaint-
ance. The lady had hardly noticed this,
when she arose hastily, and with agita-
ton offered him her hand.
"Reinhardi" she exclaimed, and then
she corrected herself. Herr Won Nord-
mannl"
The officer turned towards her. There
was a look of sorrow in his eyes and his
voice trembled slightly. Taking the
offered hand, he said:
81 did not know whether it would be
agreeable to you. l thought you would
not recognize me at ALL"
She sighed, looking at him tenderly
and inquiringly.
"ls it SO long agor' she replied, with q
smile. You remind me Of the fact that
l have become old. Yes, there is no
doubt about that. Twelve years, is it
not2 But" and her voice began to
tremble, 1--WE do not easily forget the
friends of u youth. And you did not
recognize me at once"
You ave retained your youthfulness
better than l. l am crippled, partially
at least, n keepsake Of 1870"
"Were you in the WARP l was sur
prised to see you in a uniform"
You would not have thought the ten
der little boy capable of that, would
your Yes, men never know how they
will change. 1 did not love the soldiers
profession, but the fatherland called me
and my aversion was conquered. 1 don't
make sentimental verses now for you to
smile at. My private studies are of even
q graver nature than yours were. Do
you still study S~chopenhauer, MADAME"
He looked at her sharply, but he
showed no emotion.
After a little while she smiled sudden
ly and shook her head.
mot in the least" she said; II read
only novels now"
"At that time you ridiculed me be-
cause P
d you remember that so we'll? AT
that time 1 was n foolish young thing.
We look at the world with different
eyes after adding twelve years t. our
age"
"You believed in Sc~hopenhauer, then
i shudder, madam-if l am not mis-
taken, even in Kant. You also loved
Darwin"
"And now l nave ~reconciled myself
even with the old fashioned lyric, and a
queer feeling overcomes me when l read
old Eichendorf, or go astray in the
Spring Time of Love- Do you believe
that?'
81 must, however incredible it seems.
But what does your husband say to
that"
The lady's features became grave
again, almost stern, and she replied with
n frigid voice:
"He is dead. l have been a widow
for more than two years."
Tn captain grew pale; his hand that
held the cane shook violently. He felt
as if everything before him was m
wrapped in n waving mist; he walked
at the side of the beautiful woman silent
ly, like one dreaming. She kept her
eyes turned downwards and grew still
paler than usual.
After a time, when they had left the
terrace and passed partly through the
promenade, she threw an inquiring