The morning call., 1890-04-06

man dared ask me to become his wife? We
must punish him! Write at once his ad-
dress on one OF those cards of invitation,
but do not forget to give him all his title.
My father can afterward make his excuses
70 the Minister. Quicki Quick Write to
Mr. Onophri Schelm, etc, etc. Copy the
card faithfully"
Lanin was hesitating. but Jana frowned
and he quickly did as he was bid.
what is now to be done with this visit
ing eard9' he asked, after having copied it
exactly.
Throw it into the fire" she said cage rly,
"eyen his memory shall perish. A man
whom l never saw in all my life, who did
not even cOndescend to appear in person as
a sutton for my hand, he dared ask for my
hand. | have indeed right to be angry !"
Lanin tossed the card into the fire and
rang bell.
" Now have done with the first list of
invitations he said, turning to Jana, may
l send them off at onct?"
Jana consented, and the Count handed
10 the servant pile of letters to be carried
to the PostOiiice; then he sat down near
Jana and looked enraptured into her eyes.
W hen see, my love, he said in whis-
per, how you treat other mortalS, | Won
der and rejoice at my own great good for
tune. L love you, not merely because you
are delightfully."- enchanting, witty. wise and
fair, but also because you are conscious of
yourself and respect yourself"
She pressed his hand.
g | seem cold to you, perhaps, Vladimir
but believe me, | can Lowell Bear in mind.
my darling, allmy life have been spoiled
ana fiattered. Thus, l probably overesti-
mate myself; but, at all events, | demand
to be loved passionately, alone. and above
all others. For him who loves me thus-and
you, Vladimir, think, are capable of do
Ing so-for him | am ready to make every
sacrifice and To surrender everything. 1t Is
not dliiicult to love, surrounded with almost
regal luxury as we are, but l sometimes
dream OF very different circumStan and
Will you believe it, | sometimes feel as if /
wished my dream was fulfilled? ?"
What dream, dear hearth" asked
Lanin.
q" 1 sometimes see you, in my dreams.
alone, 1orsaken and unhappy. l see you in
a tar-oH country, in a hut, hopeless and
almost despairlng. l step into the poor.
wret;hed nut, but not in rich dresses and
full OF JOY, not, as now surrounded by fiat
terers and admirers, but fatigued by a long
Journey ana In rags. And yet l am fair and
you love Inc still. You were despairinr
mainly because you thought you would
never see me again. My presence makes
the hut look beautiful to your eyes | bring
you new hope. happiness, the best consola
ton, and l am myself happy. Oh, SO
happy!"
Lanin fell on his knees before her and
covered her snow-white hand with ardent
kisses. Tears were in his eyes as he cried
Jana, do not say such things or you will
drive me mad with sheer happiness |
could almost wish to be unhappy TO find Won
near me, to live for you and in YOU ana lien
to die at your feet, but cannot imagine
your living IN such condition. Luckily. it
is all DREAM he added, smiling, IAN idle
dream, that can never be realized, for if you
should ever follow me TO foreign lands it
could only be to Paris or London, when |
am appointed Secretary of Legationi"
At This moment tine door 4
Wernin entered, dressed in his gala uniform
and covered with stars and orders. He
shook hands with Lanin. kissed his daughter
and said:
Your obedient father reminds you that
this Is the last Of the three DAYS duriur
which your last admirer was not to he
mentioned, and l was forbidden to make
my excuses to the Minister. You see how
your slave obeys you, but longer 1 dare not
wait" 0'
dear father" replied Jana, ''do what
you like, set you free. So that was the
Minister OF the Interiorl Count Perowski
was kind enough to be interested in INV
fate; l am exceedingly obliged to him !''
GU are forever testing, child, because
you do not know what life is. You do not
know what tribes may suddenly become of
the utmost Importance. People who hold
the rudder must never be offendedv'
Jana interrupted him; You can take
my excuses, too, when you call on the
count anu on ocheln, nave Just layed a
good trick on the head of division"
Old WernlD was almost beside hmse If.
You are not in earnest, hope, when
you say that. You surely were not child
ish enough to offend a man VIII has never
done you any harm. What frivolity that
would be-"
He has done me no harm, Won saw
father? A man who dares ask for nv hand
through his Minister, without knowing me
without ever having entered our house3
Who does he think [ am? Dear father
you almost make me angry"
For four Years Mr.. Sehelm has been at
every ball given in our house, and two wears
ago he limited at his intentions, although so
obseurely that took it but for general po-
likeness"
Then. suppose, he belongs to the
ugly old men who play whist during the
ball or watch our dancing from afar off. Ali
the greater is his guilt"
lie is neither very old nor very urlv
The Minister was kind enough to come IN
person and to solicit your hand. was not
home To-day | shall explain the matter
and beg you will not cause me any new
anxiety with your frivolity."
But. dear father" said Jana. laughing
heartily, Il did not dream of testing win
you. In answer to his demand for nav hand
have sent Mr.. Sehelm an Invitation to INV