San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-12-21

'..sT\. but ne ldlu MS
hand upon her
arm with a gesture that betrayed his
anxiety for her safety. At his touch
her face changed for moment, and
faint blush her dyed cheek.
You may well ask who | am, said
the Moravian, speaking in a voice
half-choked with passion and anger.
"She will tell you she does not know
me-she will deny my existence to
my face. But she knows me very
we'll. l am Israel Kafka."
The Wanderer looked at him more
curiously. He remembered what he
had heard but few hours earlier
from Keyork concerning the young
fellows madness. The situation now
partially explained itself.
II understand, he said, looking at
Unorna. He seems to be dangerous.
What shall l do with him?"
Leave him to me-" she answered
imperiously. "He will obey me-"
Yes" he said, in low tone, which
did not express submission. Leave
me to her! Leave me to the Witch
and to her mercy. 1t will be the end
this time. She is drunk with her
love of you, and mad with her hatred
of me-"
Unorna grew suddenly pale, and
would have again sprung forward,
But the Wanderer stopped her and
held her arm. At the same time he
looked into Kafka's eyes, and raised
one hand as though In warning.
BE SILENT" he exclaimed.
"'And if speak, what theuP' asked
the Mo!r.sy!Sn, with his evil smile.
il will silence you," answered the
Wanderer, coldly., Your madness
excuses you, perhaps, but it does not
Justify me in allowing you to insult a
woman"
Kafka's anger took a new direction.
Even madmen are often Gained by
the quiet OPPOSITION of strong and
self possessed man. And Kafka was
not mad. He was no coward, either,
but the subtlety OF his race was in
him.
Il insult no one" he said, almost
deferentially. Least of all her whom
l have worshiped long and lost at
last. You accuse me unjustly of that
and, though my speech may have been
somewhat rude, yet may l be forgiven
for the sake CT what / have suffered.
For | have sl%ered much"
Seeing that he was taking a more
courteous tone, the Wanderer folded
his arms and left Unorna free to move,
awaiting her commands, or the
Acknowledgment of events.
And are you going to charm our
ears with the stCly OF your suffer-
ings" Unorna asked. in a tone so
cruel that the Wanderer expected a
quick outbprst of anger from Kafka
in reply. Blu. h. was disappointed in
this.
"No," began KaflSa, Il was not
thus favored in my nativity. The
star of love was not in the ascendant,
the lord OF maEic charms was not
trembling upon my horizon, the sun
of earthly happiness was not en-
tQlOneQ III my mlu-ASdNSu' liz"
could it be? She had it all, this
Unorna here, and nature, generous in
one mad moment, lavished upon her
all there was to give. For she has
all, and we have nothing, as have
learned and you will learn before you
die"
He looked at the Wanderer as he
spoke. His hollow eyes seemed calm
enough, and in his detected attitude
and subdued tone there was nothing
that gave warning of coming storm.
The Wanderer listened. half interest
ed and yet half-annoyed by his per-
sistence. Unorna herself was silent
still.
Israel Kafka spoke dreamily, rest
ing against the stone beside him,
seemingly little conscious Of the words
that fell in oriental imagery from his
lips.
"And love was her first captive"
said the Moravian, land her first
slave. Yes, 1 will tell you the story
OF Unorna's life. She is angry with
me now. Well, let it be. II is my
fault-or hers. What matter? She
cannot quite forget me out Of mind
and Ip Has Lucifer forgotten GodP"
He sighed, and a momentary light
flashed in his eyes. Something in the