San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-12-18
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place, and but month earlier she
had offered Israel kafka her friend
ship. and it was as though heavy
retributiOn were now melted out to her
for her cruelty on that day.
ii never knew what friendship was
before, he went on. .'Of course, as
| said, | had friends when ] was little
more than boy. But in those days
there seemed to be nothing between
that and love-and love | never I'M
derstood, that can remember. But
friendship like ours, UnOrna, was
never dreamed of among US. Such
friendship as this when | often think
that | receive all and give nothing in
return"
Again Unorna laughed, so strangely
that the sound of her own voice start
led her.
"Unorna, do you believe in the mi
grafton Of the soul throughout ages,
from one body to anOther?"
Sometimes, she succeeded in say
ing.
II do not believe it, =" he continued.
sBut see well enough how men may
since | have known you. We have
grown so intimate in these few weeks;
we seem to understand each other so
wholly, with so little effort; we spend
such happy, peaceful hours together
every day. that can almost fancy our
two selves having been together
through whole lifetime in some form
or state, living together, thinking to-
10 irth
full of an instructive, mutual under
standing, do not know whether
that Seems an exaggeration to you or
not. Has the same idea ever crossed
your mindP"
! Perhaps, am so fond Of you al
ready" said Unorna, looking away,
lest her eyes should betray what was
so far beyond fondness. They say
that the most enduring passions are
either born in single instant, or are
the result OF treacherously increas-
ing liking. Take the latter case.
Why is it impossible, for you or for
mee We are slipping from mere lik-
into friendship, and for all know we
may some Gay fall headiong from
friendship into love. It would be very,
very foolish, no doubt, but 1t seems to-
me quite possible. Do you not see it?"
The Wanderer laughed lightly. It
was years since he had laughed, until
this friendship had begun.
What can sayP" he asked. IL
you, the woman, acknowledge your
self vulnerable, how can |, the man.
be so discourteOus as to assure you
that l am proof? And yet. feel that
there is no danger for either Of u.s." !
You are still sure?'S
"And ii here were, what harm
would be done?' he laughed again.
1--WE have no plighted word to break,
and /, at least. am singularly heart
free. The world would not come to
an untimely end If we loved each
other. Indeed, the world would have
nothing to say about it,"
TO me it would not, " said Unorna,
looking down at her clasped hands
But to you-what would the world
say il it learned that you were in love
with UnOrna, that you were married
to the WitchP"
The world? What is the world to
me, or what am to ftp What is my
). IL! am not afraid of its judg
Hents, in the very improbable case d
! my falling in love with you"
UnOrna shook her head. There
was mOmentary relief in discussing
the consequences Of love not yet born
in him.
why are you so silent?" Unorna
/ asked after time.
Il was thinking of you." he an
swered, with a smile. "And since
you forbade me to speak of you, l said
nothing"
How literal you arer' she ex-
claimed, impatiently.
II could see no fgurative applica-
ton OF your words" he retorted, be-
ginning to be annoyed at her prolonged
ill-humor.
"Perhaps there was none"
I'm that case
"Oh, do not argue! l detest argu-
ment in all shapes, and most of all
when l am expected to answer it
You cannot understand me-yo never
will" She broke off, suddenly and
looked at him.
She was angry with him, with her.
self with everything, and in her
anger she loved him tenfold better
than before. Had he not been blinded
by his own absolute GOODNESS, he must
have read her heart in the look she
gave him, for his eyes met hers. But
he saw nothing.
What is the matterp" asked the
Wanderer, watching her in surprise.