Evening journal., 1892-11-15

dancing
had never seen such a woman before.
She could scarcely be called beautiful,
but have my own ideas on the subject
of beauty. There was a thoroughbred
look about her, and with women, as
with horses there is nothing like breed.
What charmed me in her was the ex-
traordinary suppleness Of her figure. the
singular movements of her head and
her long, fair hair hanging down in
waves Of gold on her neck, and her nose,
which was perfectly formed, and in her
sidelong glance there was something
dark and wild
Toward the evening l stopped my Un-
dine at the door of the hut and said to
her:
Tell me. my pretty one, what were
you doing today on the roof"
II was seeing in what direction the
wind blew"
"How did that concern your
"Whence blows the wind, thence comes
happiness"
"And your singing was to bring you
good fortune"
"Where singing Is heard there Is joy
But what should you say if your
singing caused unhappiness9'
"If unhapplness arrives II must be
borne. And from grief to Joy the dis
tance Is not great"
"Who taught you those songsY
"No one; | dream and 1 sing; those
who understand ME listen to me, and
those who do not listen to me cannot I'M
derstand me"
"What IS your nameS
"Ask those who baptized me-"
"And who baptized your
81 do not know"
"Ah you are very mysterious. but
know something about YOU"
There was no sign Of emotion on her
face; her lips did not move.
Last night" l continued. "you were
on the seashore." Then told her the
scene had witnessed. thought this
would have caused her 10 evince some
symptom Of anxiety, but 1t had no such
effect.
"You assisted at a curious interview" 1"
she said TO me with a laugh; 'but you
do not know much, and what you do
know you had better keep under lock
and key, as you would keep some pre-
cious treasure"
"But IT," continued with a grave and
almost menacing air, 81 were TO relate
what saw to the commandanty'
At these words she darted away. sing
ing, and disappeared like a frightened
bird.
The night came told my Cossacll
to prepare the tea urn, lighted wax
candle. and sat down at the table. smok-
ing my long pipe. was drinking my
Tea, when the door opened and heard
the rustling of a dress. / rose hastily
and recognized my siren.
She sat down silently beside me and
fixed me with = look which made me
tremble; one Of those magical looks
which had troubled my life in earlier
days. Her countenance was pale as
death. In its paleness thought could
see the agitation of her heart. Her fin
gers struck mechanically on the table
her body seemed to shudder; her bosom
rose violently and the moment after
ward seemed depressed
This species of comedy tired me al
last. and | was about to bring it To an
end in the most prosaic manner by offer
ing my fair visitor cup Of tea, wher
suddenly she rose and taking my head
in her hands gased at me with all tn,
appearance Of passionate tenderness
A cloud covered my eyes. and wished
In my turn to kiss her but she escaped
like a snake. murmuring as she did so
Tonight, when everything is quiet
meet me on the shore" Then she dis
appeared, upsetting as she did so my tea
urn and my solitary light.
"She is the very mischiefw cried my
Cossack, who had been looking out foi
his share OF the tea.
He then lay down on the bench. ant
gradually my agitation subsidized
Listen" said to him. If you heai
a pistol shot, hurry down as fast rs 20,
can 70 the shore"
he rubbed his eyes, and replied me
chanically, YES, SIR.
placed my pistol In my belt and wen
out The siren was waiting for me n
the top Of the path leading down 70 thI
sea, lightly clad IN a stuff which clun,
to her waist like a scarf.
Follow me" she said. taking me by
the hand.
We walked down the rocky path II
such n manner that cannot understand
how | failed to break my neck TheI
J we turned sharply to the right, rs tn
blind boy had done the night before
The moon was not yet up. Two littl'
q stars, like the fires Of lighthouses. re
, lieved the darkness. The agitated wave
. lifted and let fall in regular cadence
solitary boat close to the shore.
"Get in" she said. hesitated. for
confess thut have not the least tast,
, for sentimental excursions Oh the sea
But It was impossible to refuse. Sh,
9 leaped into the bark. followed her, IN,
off we went
"What does all this meang" / said
D getting angry.
1T means, she replied, making m'
sit down on n bench and putting he
arms around my waist, "it means that
love you" Her burning cheek was clos
: to mine and felt her hot breath IN IN,
D face. Suddenly l heard something fal
i-4o &ho rr~oto~ Trctfuoff,-alr- ,,,t, bo n.