New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-26
.nc. He appeared 70

sdter him. and Arden thought she grew a shade
racr and frowDeG A. faint smile appeared on the
slant as Ghisleri came near him. returning again
IN the ballroom Ghislcri had glanced at him as
no passed and had seen that he was not talking TO
MAY have the next dance. Miss Caryon ?"
asked Pictro when he found Laura in corner Isr
with FranssscS S'e he naasss on ne saio az she
will You give me the dance after the neyt1',
he INQUIRED few minutes later. coming up with
Donna Adele. who was moving away on young
Frangipani's arm. ~,
Certainly caro- Ghisleri she answered. with
aacritv. as many as You please
You are very good he said, with a slight
how and withdrew 10 window near Laura 10
wait until the waltz began. lie could see Arden
through the open door from the place where he
When the dance was over he led Laura ont and
took one turn through the rooms, making few
commonplace remarks on the way Coming back:
no stopped as though by accident close TO Lord
am afraid you will think me very rude, if
ask yor 10 let me leave YOU he SAID am
engaged for the next dance-lt is qaadriiic-and
| must fin1 vis-a-vis. .
Arden Of course heard and presented himself
Immediately in Ghsleri's place. Laura was quite
ner and they resumed their conversation almost AT
the point at which it had been interruDfcI by
francesca Savelh Neither of them ever knew
ihs. Ghisleri had brought them together again by
little social skill. Just beyond what most people
possess. Arden looked after him, half believing
ing her in order to return to the Conte>sa dell
Irmj. who was now surrounded by half dozen
mon beginning with old Spicca. who; as has beeh
said was still alive in those DAYS. and ending WIN
tho little Vicomte dc Bompierre. Young frcncl,
attache with pleasant voice. bright smile. ana
an incpent black mu>tache Bnt 70 Arafn
surprise Ghsleri took quite a different direction
and began TO speak 10 one man after another evil
IDENTIFY trying to secure vis-a-vis for the square
dance. 49,, ,o, ~ r,thor vou
must not bore yourself with me. said Arden 10
Laura. after a short pause in the conversation
~ lyon never bore me- answered the young girl.
"You are one of the few people who do not.
Arden smiled little sadly
Il am glad 10 he one OF the few people, TIC
said "even if | am the last
You are too modest" She tried TO laugh but
the effort not very srcccsSful
NO. am not. have much more VANITY tnal
yor would suppose or think possible, considering
low little have to be vain of; 49,. o.s,.orod
Opinions may differ about tnat' no a an mnC
that many men might envy, and probably do
Laura iestated, and then smiled, without effort
You are very good-loolsing. she said after
moment Ia an
swered A very slight flush rose in his pale lace;
1T is not of much Importance. either WOMB
you like me TO enumerate your good qualities
"Of all things" , ,.or,-
clever. I think, though i am not clever enough To
ho sure You have no right 10 Ice unhappy. ana
Won would not he if YOU were not so sensitive
about-abouf not being so strong ana nig as SOME
men are What difference does il make :.
You will almost tempt mo 10 think that II
Mako zone If SoI it sax That a WOW Wud rcav
truly change places with any one? With Slgnor
Ghislcri, for Instance? ii
would rather be Ghislcri than any man know,
Il cannot understand that" answered Laura,
rather be like you. Besides. they. say Sgnor
Ghsleri has been dreadfully wild, and Is anything
but angelic now. You used that very WORD anoos
him the first evening we met do You remember
"Of course do but what has that 10 DO with
it? Must / necessarily choose a saint Tor NY
friend and pick out one to eAcnamge Hacr ,w WIN n
lovable too lovable, perhaps. but man SAINT
about town is like fish out Of water. Bnt 70"
arc right about Ghislerl. up 10 certain point
only YOU do not understand him lie Il an "A-
ceedinoly righteous sinner, but a sinner h' Is. ~
"What do you mean by a righteous snncr p
"Do not bring me down to definitions have
not ut all a logical mind mean Ghlslcri-that
is all can say. would much rather talk about
mo. object to that Tell me, since You wish
so much to be Signor Ghsleri; what do you think
you ySpld he feel il tina. man can
feel" answered Arden, with a Sudden change oil
tone ITO DO straight and strong and match for
OhfE neco ha a tine nIp aTG of G a t' the
tears were almost in her eyes as She looked earn
esty into his. .,;,,oa ,noro .no
more bitterly. II am a cripple There is no de-
nying it-whv should even try to hide II lIt,lc
Nature. Heaven. or what YOU please to call IT,
has been good enough TO make concealment I'M
possible II am not quite. hunchback, am
Very near it, and | can hardly walk even with
stick. And look at yourself, straight and grace
full and beautiful well you pity me, at Least
Why should / make fool Of myself? II is the
Arst time ever spoke like this to any one"
you are quite wrong answered Laura IN
al nat nrfv In
I do not think you are the least TO be pitled.
see It quite differently 1t hardly over strikes me
that you are not just the same as other people, ana
when il docs. il makes no painful impression upon
me- You see / am quite frank.
While she was speaking the color rose in two
bright spots on Ardcns pale checks, and his bright
ewes softene1 with the look Of wonderful happiness.
:" Are you quite in earnest. Miss Carlyon = he
asked. in low voice.
Quite quite in earnest. Please believe me
when say that it would hurt me dreadfully if
" Hurt YOU? Why"
She turned her deep. cad eyes to him. and looked
at him without speaking. He was on the point of
telling her that he loved her-then he saw how
beautiful she was, and he felt his witicrcd knee
under his hand. and he ashamed TO speak.
IL was cruel moment. and his nerves were al,
ready Overstraincd by perpetual emotion, us well
as tired from late hours and lack Of sleep; He
hesated moment Then bent his head and
covered his eyes with his hand. Laura said moth;
ing for several moments. but seeing that he did
not move she touched his sleeve
Dear Lord Herbert, do not he so unhappy
she said softly. "You really have no right to be,
you know"
NO right" He looked up suddenly. III you
knew you would not say that"
81 should always say il. As long as you have
friends-friends who love YOU. and would do any
thing for you, why should you make yourself
60 nliserable?"
II want more than friend-even than friend
ship
what"
Il want love"
Again she gazcd into his eyes and paused Her
face was Very Whitewater than his. Then she
spoke
Are you so sure you have not got that love ?"
she asked. Her own voice treinbed now.
Arden started, and look Of something almost