Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-12

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this season, Diva, observed Walie, with
smile. "You drove Gen. lingo to his
wits end"
"That would be farther than would
like to go myself" she replied quietly.
81 think he did not stay long there him
self" Her beautiful face was calm aud
quite impenetrable. If she meant mis-
chief, she meant it very deep down. She
did not smile, but neither was there any
sign Of suppressed anger in her tranquil
bearing.
at is my fortune to be well acguaint-
ed with the Lady who has been singing
here in your stead" said Wallie, who
perceived that It would be useless to
beat about the bush with a woman of
her caliber and temperament. Gas she
is the sister of your friend Mr.. Randolph,
hope to see you friends with her also"
at is my way to keep the things of
business apart from the things of friend
ship" returned Mariana with the slow
distinctness that marked her utterance of
English. Edward" she continued,
turning to that unhappy young man,
IN. Dinsmore has your confdence2 He
knows Of your-foolishness, yes?'
"He's all right" asserted the youth,
with heavy sigh.
BE so good, then, mon cher, to go
down stairs q little and smoke your
cigar. 1t is not three who are compa-
n.y." said she, with a certain aroma of
tenderness in her tone, which (Wallie
fancied) was more involuntary than con-
scious.
"Now, monsieur" she continued when
they were alone, latter fifteen minutes
1 await Gen. lingo. Up till that am
all yours" And she leaned back in her
chair and rested one hand within the
other in her lap.
1.-The general viii no doubt answer
for himself-that is not my affair."" said
Wallie. "But l should like to know
whether you perceive any distinction be-
tween his accountability and that of
this young ladyT'
"You would say it is his fault, but
only her misfortune"
ITO tell you the truth, Diva, the fault
seems to me to lie between all three of
you, but less belongs to her than to
either lingo or you"
at is not 1 who apportion the fault,
monsieur; but if l say the truth shall be
known then the affair must turn out as
it will
"But you know that the only one to
suffer would be the sister of Mr.. Ran
dolph."
A slight movement of the under lids of
Marana's eyes showed that she appre-
ciated the significance of Wallie's para
phrase for her rival. In our profession,
monsieur" she said, Struggling one
shoulder and looking aside, Eve have
the necessity to each defenu himself
without regard of person"
There are two reasons why people
fght-one to infict injury, and the
other to get some advantage for them
selves. Is yours the first7"
why should you assume it, mon
sieur?' inquired the Russian.
Because in this case there is no ad-
vantage to be derived. And, besides,
though 1 can imagine Mile. Mariana
wishing to crush a rival, 1 cannot ina
agine her condescending to make ques-
ton of money"
81 had begun to think that NJ. Dins-
more was too truthful to make any COM
pliments," said Mariana with leisurely
smile that enhanced the beauty of her
face.
There may be more respect in what
one leaves unsaid than
"Ahl comprehend that also. But
consider it; if have spent all my life in
trying to sing well, and then find that
some one has borrowed my name, so that
her singing is thought to be mine-then
all that have done in my life is for moth
ing. We singers, monsieur, have only our
voice; when that is still there is no more
of US. If it is taken from us we have
nothing left. We put into it all our
souls and our hearts, and we work many
years-it is work and not play, monsieur
and we have many hard things, many
struggles, sometimes we lose everything
that other persons love, even love itself.
Well, you see, would more gladly give
to some lady all the money that 1 have
earned in my life, and my jewels, and
my dresses, than 1 would permit that,
when she sings, the audience should say,
That is Maranap"
Walie looked down, and made no
answer.
you have reminded me-" she went
on after few moments, ''that this lady
is the sister of Edward. Yes, he has
very often told me of her; and that we
were little alike-poor boy, he means
Of one aspect, one presentment; as for
the rest, he knows of me only what I
have been to him. Ny other history
was not of interest to him; perhaps he
would not believe it, even if I told it to
him; but, at least, he asked me to be his
wife, and though 1 said no it was not
because feared that he might cease to
love me because of what he might after
ward come to know. You may laugh
at it, monsieur, but think he would |
still love me, notwithstanding all of it."
There was something noble and |
touching in the way Mariana said this.
Wallie did not feel at all inclined to |
laugh, and his face perhaps showed it.
81 said no." she resumed; "but later,
when found what he had done, said |
yes, so that might help to make right, |
and also because it is pleasant for q |
singer hike me TO think she can give |
something to her husband in return for |
being his wife. But then he would not;
IN that he was like other men who wish |
In every way to be the master. But yet,
monsieur, there is time to think again"