The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-21

oAN Il hASO1pO 81.
or doing me some small service. And how
sweet to me was the spectacle OF the neglected
Lindsay How entirely delightful was 1t for
me to fnd myself suddenly conducted from the
lowest TO the highest seat in the synagogue
And yet there was voice, a low thin. cold voice
that spoiled my triumph u didn't da ,h rseog (; 1T
from Zoe's sweet lips. AS she turned to go
upstairs she leaned over the railing drew her
hand out of mine and whispered
That ring"
l took it off and handed it to her. When
dinner was announced Zoe was a little late and
we were waiting for her. To the surprise Of all
and to my secret disQuet the beautiful Zoe
glided into the drawing room clad, not in her
customary white. but in black. Although the
material was "a tule and displayed through irs
diaphanous web the fauitess symmetry of her
figure. making her look radiant as the even
ing star, yet was troubled.
Hanging on the same chain with the lOcket
which held my likeness was the mystic ring.
You see. dearest" she murlnured as she
raised her speaking eyes to me. "your slave
wears the symbol OF her bondage. 1t Is Aei,
forever.
When night came strange silence settled upon
the hall. Every one seemed 10 be too weary for
music or cards. Zoe and l parted at an early
Lour. But / could not sleep. and tossed about,
passing the time studying the fantastic shapes
paneled by the moonlight on The walls aud hang.
ings
What was in my room tonight? What pres
ence haunted IL with .forebodings of sorrow?
that woman was gently weeping. peered all
around, but no one was TO be seen. When l
drew back the curtains and looked out. the
moonlight lay like silver sheet over the grass,
and the moon herself shone high like Furnished
shield In the clear uncl0uded sky. But In the
room was still the consciousness of presence,
the faint echo of sigh, and woman's quiet
weeping.
l was not asleep; had not lost consciousness
for half moment; when suddenly l became
aware OF something more than myself close TO
me. opened my eyes, and there, leaning over
me, but as II lowering In the air, not standing Cd
the earth, saw the form OF Zoe. The moonlight
Shone on her the same as IL shone on the grass and
flowers OF the gardens-as IL shOne on the silent
trees aid the still waters of the TRANQUIL lake.
saw her as clearly as l saw that moonlight Itself
She was as vlsible-and as Intangible. | put out
my hand 10 her, as she bent over me, bur ii met
nothing-gfasped nothing. IL seemed to part, 10
dispersr, the substance, whatever 1t was, That
formed this intangible vision; and when | with
drew IL aud sank back on the pillow she reap
peared as ylsibly as before.
She bent over me and her face came nearer to
mine. As 1--we felt the shadowy touch of her
sweet lips on mine, and l heard-and yet l did
not hear with my outer ears, but IN my inner
senses-her soft voice whisper tenderIy: JUS
TIN. love you. Forgive me, love yOul'
=" love YOU Don't doubt it, but | dare not be
yours. Forgive me, poor, weak woman that L
am, / cannot help it,"
Hark. was that not a football? Whence came
that liant rustic? sprang up A tiny white OBJ.
up. Ii was note from Zoe and contained these
words:
Dearest, am on my knees as 1 write these lines
In prayer to you. am about to put your love TO
test indeed. for you tom ight to SIX
you to release me from my vow. You know, my
loved Justin, what wicked, wiliful and selfish
woman am and how long it necessary for IN
to wreste with this rebellious spirit before could
bring myself TO part with my liberty to promise to
become yonr WIFE 1t was 4 terrible struggle, for
love freedom so. l revel In that spirit which
knows no master and turns with disdain from the
hand that would control. Nature made me so and
man has improved natures work. Vow that
my life you, | shudder at the thought OF
wearing double chains. MY sense of indebte dlesS
TO you hoyerS me like some dread phantom
willing, dearest, my happiness TO you
but my existence never. shrink from being eter-
nally reminded of the fact that though you might
strike me down dead for my mutinous spirit I'd
have no right utter word OF complaint. Let this
last act OF yours be wing one Aci dearest. and
set me free again. 1t Will be forever, forever Jus
tin, for it is my intention a religious house.
where my lie Will be spent In Gods service and in
yours. ZOE.
letter smote the hearts OF every one at The Hall,
aud so we'll did we all know Zoe's disposition
that dull. blank despair settled upon us.
When l looked upon that beautiful face, so
TRANSPORTED In single night, 1t seemed 10 me
that she was dead and that In reality 1t was
naught but her split which gided n0iselessy
from room TO room with 4 smile on its white
face of such angelic sweetness that no one dared
TO speak The name of Zoe.
The family physician was hastily called in,
but lie shook his head mournfully.
1T Is not In my Hue" he nurmured In alb
sentmnded way, "but possibly may be able to
help you out. I'll go home and think ii over
All, women are strange folk. very strange folk"
A day 50 after the good doctor came again.
He was bright and CHEEKY aud certainly had
something important TO communicate.
A family consultation was called. Justin
must fail ILL., he began.
Fall ilR' i repeated wOnderingly.
Yes, and very Ill, TOO, apparently. Ill regu-
late your diet Tor you so as 10 make you lose
flesh, and give you some harmless medicine TO
bleach you out. You must have chest pains,
and when once you begin 10 have them you
mustn't forget TO keep IN m up, aud you mustn't
get frightened after while when you see how
near deaths door you really appear to be-"
promised absolute obedience, and IN a few
days Tie first effects OF the doctors treatment
began to be visible.
Zoe spent a great deal of her time at a convent
near the Hall. where she was preparing TO enter
upon her nUyitatc; but could see very pla inly
that my changed appearance was attracting her
attention, aud occupying her thoughts. She in
telcepted The doctor Que day, and taking him
aside questioned him In a subdued tone.
" In heavens name, doctor, what's the matter
"a complication OF ailments, Zoe, l regret to-
say"
And you will make him well, dear doctor, Will
you not?"
III pun him through the winter it will be the
very most / can do"
Zoe caught Der breath.
About a week after this, as was reclining in
an easy chair before the open window, felt a
hand pass softly over my hair and gliding down
my cheek, rest upon my shoulder
II was Zoes-
"Poor, dear boy" she murmured: would it
be any comfort 10 you TO have the Zoe you leave
My heart gave bound at these words, and it
was only with the greatest difficulty that could
keep myself from bursting out with joyful
Yes. yes, Zoe, my darling. my life aud my
love" and from throwing my arms around her in
paroxysm of delight. But / restrained myself
ana said with sigh:
"Yes, dear Zoe, 1t would be great comfort"
In a lew days II was arranged TO have the mar
rage ceremony performed, aud the lovely Zoe,
on her way to The convent, halted long enough In
tie drawing-room 10 speak the fatal words which
made her my wife.
can do nothing more for him." said the
doctor one day to Zoe, "b but you, by tender
nursing, may possibly add another month to his
life"
Zoe determined that that extra month should
be mine and began to lavish attentions upon me-
and commenced to mend so rapidly thatI could
see that Zoe was almost startled by the success
OF her Efforts
Take care, Zoe. my life, my love. you may
add more than that month the doctor pr omised
you" and her only answer was to bury her beau
tliu head In my breast. Then | knew that the
time had come for me TO get well.
THE END.
Copyright, 1900, Ly The authors Auiance. Al
rights FeSeTued