The morning call., 1890-08-03
MADEMOkSEzLE HKA,
Thirty Aeort-Beats to The Minute.
Written by Alexander Adaptation Call by
.

/ am? Guess Ha, ha. Fifteen, indeed. Pm
90; but you're right. l don't look more than
10. Some days not more than II, when put on
a short dress, while muslin with a flowing sash,
my hair in two long braids. big straw nat ana
white mts on my hands, aud go Will my nurse
TO tiundle hoop In the gardens of The LuXem-
bourg or the PallIs- Royal. Now don't put all
this INTO a book or play for l know that you
are what people call an author; but L must CO.
GOod-by GO0d-by !"
such was MILE Ilka. As | stood and watched
this strangely fascinating being disappear in the
distance L was hall ready TO unSay all my nne
words and tall madly IN love with her. Shall
ever see her again? This was the question that
took possession OF my mind to The exclusion OF
every other thought. 1t was useless to go my
desk, for there we're no ideas la my head save
llka. She looked up AT ME from the blank paper
her, voice. her laugh Knocked ME in every corner.
Her grandly beautiful eyes beamed upon me
from every portrait the wall. For hours
would sit and stare at tile chair IN which she mad
sat, the haSSOck upon which her tiny feet had
rested, the papeT-cutter she had toyed with AT
last 1 was beside myself with JOY upon finding
sheet of letter PAPER which had lain on the table
and which she dcg-eaied as she sat looking INTO
my face and telling me OF her escapades while
trunoIing hoop IN the gardens of The Luxen-
bourg. l pressed Il eagerly 10 my lips. There
could be no more doubt. | was madly and in-
sanely in love with Mile Ika
About and Sarcey and the Others came with
pressing invitations hither and thither. but was
not 10 be lured away from the house for lear OF
missing her So on the plea OF pressing work on
hand declined everything aud shut myself up
III my little home in Rue de BOulOgne.
She came Al last, ii possible more mysterious,
more iascina ing, more delightful than ever.
"lye been quite Iii. mon ami" she murmured
pa nIively as she laid her GnglOyed hand in
mine.
IL was tile first time our physical bodies had
come into contact An involuntary All escaped
my lips, Tor as Ilka'S hand, faultlesslY beautiful
as it was, touched mine shlver zgzagged
through my limbs Her hand had an unearthly
feel to 1t cold and satiny; something akin TO the
feel of the skin OF danaSk plum. Quickly re-
covering myself, | led llka TO my cndlSe Tongue
and said gently;
"Lie down, my child, and rest yourself" She
smiled family as | deity looSed The strings OF
ner hat and uncovered her glorious GROWTH OF
haIr; then turning half around she threw herself
with easy grace into the reclining chair. In so
dOidg une of her tiny ieei, most dalntily shod,
was completely uncovered. She made no effort
TO thiJw her dress over ii nor appeared TO be in
the least conscious OF The fact that / stood
Obvious TO The world with my eyes rlveted upon
the exquisite delicacy and poetic beauty OF her
foot aud ana lie.
she WIS busy arranging her long braids one
oil which she drew ont from under her and then
tossed II lightly behind her, the other she let fall
in front. Win SeIlentne grace II cOiled across
her bosom aud then pursued It's twining course
over the old rose plush of the chaise Tongue,
melting into the rich tone OF the material until
II seemed TO fade from my sight. Laying the
palms Of her hands together, she thrust them I'M
der her cheek aud then raised her large green
eyes and fixed them fun upon me. They were
alive with a strange and enhancing light Al
that Instant The. setting sun pierced the thick
clouds which had until then enyelOped II, and
flood OF lie mysterious Hight Of eVenIide poured
through The window ana fell upon Ilka's lace
aud hair. bow my heart bounded Heaven and
earth had kissed each other. Was l Endymion,
and had some mighty messenger OF the gods
snatcLed me up 10 Olympus and set me down in
front of The sleeping Attemls? Every breath 1
drew seemed If it would be my last. l was
dying Of an uneartbly bliss. Tie divine spirit Of
absolute beauty. as devoid OF all desire as a
limpld mountain rl!i OF alcoholic fums, had en-
tered the portal OF my little home, was sleeping
beneath my humble roof.
How long stayed there with my eyes reyeng
IN the charms OF this delicious tableau, so rich
In color, perfect in drawing so bewilde ing
in the witcbery OF lis deslnyolIure, know not
when came TO myself. All was gloom about
me save The soft, mysterious light Fradialed by
lkas face and HAIR STOPPING down, took
hold OF the long braid Of golden hair, which lay
cOiled on The plush OF The easy chair, and,
pressing II against my lips, held It there In mute
admii alton. Then suddenly an Irresistible de-
sire came over me to press my lips upon her
brow. l bent forward with that intent. l had
almost done II, when Ilka opened her large
round eyes, and fOm them darted l ftful CLEAN
OF mystic light like ray from Caliogstro'S
mirror. mo, no. mon amll" she exclaimed, sit.
Ting up and raising her hand DeWeen her face
and mine, mot 100 close. I'm like cat, the
odor Of lie human breath is disagreeable 10 me-"