Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-18

She was alone. He went up to her
She was the most beautiful woman o.
| the evening; but he couldn't recall
who she was. And vet there wa!
something familiar In her face-famIliar a!
strain of music that you recognize, but
cannot place. Now he thought he remem-
bered-then, again. the name just escaped
him. He asked her to take glass of wine
Yes, she said, with youP"
The manner in which DR.. Hoknagel gave
the ensuing dialogue amazed me. No
trained actor could have done it better. His
marvellous voice accommodated itself to
every intonation. Closing my eyes 1 could
have believed that the speakers stood before
me.
"He brought the wine, and she received
the glass from him. Her voice, when she
spoke, had gone to his heart surely he had
heard it before! Where? Where? How
lovely she was! Her dress. too, was exqui-
site, white, soft, voluptuous. The arms
and figure of young goddess. Diamonds
on her bosom; in her hair spray of hello
trope. That flower had been his favorite
before he married! He had associations
with it. He felt his face burn. He bent
down toward her.
"'I fear you have been having a dull
evening, he said. Did you come late?'
eyes; 1 am but just arrived, I came
only to see you
''He felt his heart beat at those caressing
words.
"'The night would have been blank to
me if you had not been here
"She smiled-a strange smile. Truly?
1 thought you had forgotten me-
How could any one ever forget you?
But it is some time since we met
"'Yes, indeed-a long time. But this is
your wedding anniversary. See, bear you
no i'll will ! Let us drink to it'
"She lifted her glass to her lips. On her
finger he caught the sparkle of ring-an
amethyst His hand shook so that his wine
was spilled. He knew that ringl Where
did you get that amethyst?'
Surely, you ought to knowl Then 1 am
forgotten! 1t was you who gave it, Ed
ward
''He sat down beside her on the window
seat; he had no strength to stand. Thev
were concealed by the lace curtains. He
stared in her face, trembling. Yes, it was
she; there could be no mistake. Frances
cal'
"'Ah, at lastp she said, laughing softly.
But why do you stare so at me?'
II heard you were dead-dead, years and
years agoI
"'Oh, I am alive! am all life. have
been in foreign countries. But 1 have not
forgotten those old days of ours, Edward.
How sweet they werel Have you been hap
py since?'
The happiness of lost souls! This is
my first happy moment. Is it real? You
have changed, Francesca. You were never
so beautiful as this. Have you come to
taunt me?'
1 am Francesca-your Francesca she
said. But other changes have, indeed,
come to me. am no longer girl. Ihave
wealth and power She leaned toward him.
fragrant aud irresistible Edward, do YOU
care for me still?' she whispered.
"His selfcontral forsook him. Il wouId
give my soul for your he said.
'Wbat look|-what smile she ga We
himl Come with me, then,' said she.
Come to my home; we cannot talk here.
There, no one will interrupt US. Come, Ed
wardi'
"He hesitated. MY guests will expect
you know 1 am
"She laid her soft fingers on his hand,
"'Never mind them. What are they to
us? Let this be the proof that you care for
me-to leave them and come with me- Are
you a!raid?'
HE rose to his feet.
"'Let us CO. he said.
"He was reckless. But the dining saloon
was now empty. The guests had gone to
the drawing rooms and the bands were play-
ing a waltz. How the music sang and
throbbed! They passed out into the hall
unnoticed. No one seemed to heed them
Francesca was now enveloped in a long
pearl-gray cloak, lined with swan's-down.
He had his hat and coat. Her hand was on
his arm. They descended the stairs, treadino
on roses. The door opened before then, and
they went out. Her carriage stood at the
bottom Of the steps. Snow was falling, but.
in moment. they were seated side by side |
in the carriage, where it was warm and per- |
fumed. Edward Daventry could have be. |
lieved himself in heaven. He felt the
gentle touch Of her arm and shoulder, BE |