Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-02-26
SIDNEY Lorraine,
Or, The Counts burden.
CHATTER ]. CONTINUED.

that the night air was bringing from
the roses and honey-suckle, seemed to
belong to some different world from the
one in which she had dreamed away the
afternoon hours. Perhaps it was Men
delssohn's dreamy music, interpreted
by master hand, that had somewhat
to do with the change. And when at
length he rose and came and stood by
her side he did not at once speak, and
to her no commonplace word of thanks
seemed necessary.
1T is magic" he said, as round the
corner Of the dark building opposite
came a sudden stream of moonlight,
that touched with silver the trees be-
low.
"Yes. it is magic" she answered. 81
thought your playing had conjured it
up, and | feared to speak, lest it should
al vanish away. But now that you have
spoken and the charm still works, let
me thank you"
me of home. When | am there, | al
ways play until | am told to leave off.
My father is very fond of music"
And what does home consist OFF" she
questioned. He was standing in front
of her, leaning against the window-sash,
and. she looked up a. him as she spoke.
The moonlight was touching her with
its weird light, and he paused moment
before answering.
Home consists of father and five
sons" he said. Somehow n home wants
a woman to complete it. I always think
so when | am there, which is not often.
l am soldier"
"Ahl" she stirred little, and sat more
upright. And then: You have not a
sister" she added. as if that were not
hnE ,.-t Ii, Oh L., Il TO-
NO, | have never had a sister, and
my mother has been dead many years"
Yes" she said, after pause, some
how home does seem to require a wo-
man; yeti am not sure. 1t some
times seems to me that men say that
when they wish to be pleasant to us and
give us q share in their lives, but l am
not sure that it is true. They do very well
without us-it is impossible to imagine
we are necessary to their happiness
though we may be to their comfort"
He looked at her amoment in silence,
in way he had which left her in doubt
as to whether lie was trying to adjust
her sentence to his own mind before
answering. or whether it was merely
her English that had perpleXed him,
and then said: "You are mistaken; q
man perhaps does not wish to be alone;
but he must not make mistake. For
then 1t is not only his own happiness
that is lost, but hers"
And the woman" she questioned
quickly, sitting little more upright.
rs it fair that she too should not wait?
But, perhaps" smiling, her mistake
does not natter"
Not SO much" he answered, and no
still spoke gravely. 1T need not affect
any one but herself. 1t is only neces-
sary that she should adjust her life to
her mistake.
She rose to her feet with so sudden a
movement, that the feather fan which
had laid under her idly clasped hands
fell to the ground unnoticed.
Il argue no more she cried impetu-
ously, IF the woman's happiness is not
worth considering"
How unfair" he answered, smiling n
little at her vehemence, when it was |
who said that the woman's happiness
was of necessity dependent on the man,
and that for that reason the man
And the mans" she interrupted, is
dependent on the woman! 1t seems to
me we have talked in circle. and ar
rived exactly where we began--namely,
that men can do very well without u.s."
You are too quick" he said. Il can
not keep up with you, but | think YOU
know where we were agreed all the
same"
1T is the English" she answered,
evasively; IF we were both speaking
our own language, we should understand
one another better
Perhaps"
"IIere is father" she went on, turning
toward where Mr.. Lorraine had appear
ed on the threshold between the two
doors. She went Il few steps toward
Ia Il I, in, hs.,o I
tie mutinous expression fading as she
looked at him, her eyes growing soft
and sweet.
you are just in time, father; Count
Lindenheim and | went on arguing UNI
til we were at the verge of quarreling-
at least | was"
And what was the point of differ
ence?"
woman, down-trodden woman. I
was defending her, and insisting on her
rights;
leges."
leges; still, am not proud
And you would rather not do with
out them? Well, ring for lights, and
fetch the chess board. Home, sydney
he went on, should be a court, ruled
by king and queen, and then there
would arise no question as to which
were rights and which were privileges"
NO, father" she retorted; home
should be court where there is only a
queen-and q prime minister"
II dare say that would insure peace"
well, at least it has done SO in our
case"
Mr. Lorraine had seated himself in a
low armchair, and having so spoken,
Sydney leant over the back. and lightly
kissed his gray head. Then lifting her
smiling eyes to the tall, fair man, who
stood watching her, Poor father" she
said gently, "he las never even found
out that | rule him."
but it is all for my own good, child,
is it not? That is why / don't com
plain. Now go and sing Y esterday;' 1
am waiting TO hear it."
"Ah, you should not have gone to
write. father" she said, her voice losing
its light tones, and growing quick and
earnest. "and then you would have
heard Count Lindenheim play. Such
misunderstanding her hands together
sit was fanyland."
Better than fairyland "ansvered Mr.