The morning call., 1893-08-13
THE SECOND PLACE.

large reception hall, in which the guests
were at that moment dancing lively ma
Zurka. This evening the Drotners were,
for wonder, enjoying the same scene. and
both were admiring the two bellies OF War
sav-Doris and Maya Balinsk. 1t was an
open secret in this year of 1856 that these
two were the most favored among the
suitors of the beautiful sisters.
.Tbis evening shall decide my fate,
Felv said the light-hearted Jozsi, land
I advise YOU 10 try your luck at the same
time"
81 have every intention of doing So" an
swered Felix gravey, rs his eyes followed
q soft cloud of white muslin which period
ieaIlv passed before him.
"Suppose the old Count saws no to uso''
suggested Jozsi
Then shall remain unmarried The
next dance is at hand, Jozsi, YOU had bet
ter 60 and seek your partner"
IF were to stand aud look on all the
evening as you do. Felix. l should be mad
with jealousy. renlied JoZsi. laughing
ever. would frighten the bees from any
flower If you stood by. so i doubt if the
lively Doris will say yes"
When the bah was over. Count Balinski
went 10 see his two daughters in the very
small drawing-room, where they were
eagerly talking to their partners with
their aunt who had brought them up.
The old mans face wore slightly
troubled expression, though at the
same time smile parted his lips
as he looked at the two girls whose
beauty was the talk Of the town. He had
every reason 10 be proud father, for
Doris at that moment looked like some sea-
,,oI, har xx-hi nd 6rnc
Doris was her fathers darling, for though
Marya was very nearly as beautiful she
was much more shy and retiring than her
lively sister.
well. children. 1 hope you have en-
loved your BALL" said the Count. Il
should prefer Quieter life. for such mad
freaks always brings misfortune"
Aud what misfortune makes you smile,
little father?" said Doris, linking her
hands round her fathers arm. ut can't
be a very serious one" Marya blushed as
If she were little conscious of the coming
misfortune.
This is the second time during the
month that have had TO face somebody's
lovers"
Mine or Marya's, dear tather?" said
Doris, laughing.
at is double misfortune; but 1 must
treat all these men alike. and send them
about their business"
names?" said Doris.
"Fie, Doris.' said her aunt, "a Ba-
linski does not throw herself AT a suitOr's
head"
Would it be better to say yes blindly.
dear aunt| ret0rted the uiere.
Don't scold the child" said the Count.
kissing the forehead over which the soft
hair curled like miniature fOam-waves.
Two suitors are persistent in their
wish to win you, Doris; how am l TO de-
cider
That is amusing. Now. dear aunt, have
you not often boosted to US of your lovers;
why must Marya and l be less fortunate?
But Marya is wiser than l am; she will
have a larger choice"
AT present my Marya has but one: but
he, too, will take o refusal"
Marya's flush told plainly she knew the
name OF her lover
AS for you, Doris. Prince Aivazowsky,
the Russian. declares"
Doris suddenly drew herself up like
wave that rises before striking the rocky
shore.
Never" she said. as she clenched her
right hand Il am Polish noDleman's
daughter. But what is the name of the
other lover, papa?"
Felix kaplinski says"
What does Felix say?" Doris pre-
tended to SIN Doth down the soft muslin of
her bodice, which looked like the plumage
of a dove
"AhI Felix is like himself - proud,
domineering. immovable. He says"
Il have no patience with Felix's absurdi-
ties" said the aunt.
well, Felix says?" repeated Doris,
That you must marry him."
Aunt Anna elevated head, eyes and
hands.
r And you answered, papa?"
That no Balinski had ever done any
thing for must"
Doris laughed again. such a joyous.
ringing. soft laugh. watch was terribly in
fectious.
We'll, then. that is settled thing.
papa. | shall be the first Balinski who
does something for must. In this case
shall be original"
Indeed. papa, she must not marry
him." says Marya, cage II, though in her
sweet, low tones. PAL say no. Don't
you see that she does not understand him?
,iezsi says that his brother does not love
Doris as much as"
But Doris soon stopped her sisters
words with kisses.
Hush, you dear. foolish thing! We see
how JoZsi easily turns you around his
little finger with his fine phrases. You
and papa both know very well that love
Felix better than anybody in the world,
and neither Of you will say no to him.
Besides, L know you quite we'll, papa: ]
believe That both these lovers are nov
waiting for us in the library and that YOU
have already said yes. Speak the truth.
cunning little father"
The old Count laughed and his sister
protested.
Anyhow. Doris. expect you to say no
to Felix. 1t is quite true, he is too proud"
How badly YOU pretend, papa! Your
heart tells YOU l will marry no one but
Felix. You might as wellsexpect Marya to
accept Vacslav BroZik as -"
well. well, come along. Modern days
are bad days. Young people manage
their parents. Alb, Doris. l wish you
would have married that rich Englishman
last year. and that he had taken you right
out of our poor country"
Ten minutes later Doris was alone with
Felix in the big library, for the impetuous
Jozsi had disappeared with his Marya into
the empty danclDg-roOm, while the old
Count had gone back to Ills sister to talk
over the inevitable double wedding.
In the library the fire burned low, for it
was late. suspended lampswung gently
to and fro, and the deep shadows lay
athwart the far corners of the room. 1t
was but this very partial light which
served TO Illuminate the face that had the
power to fascinate Doris. Her lover held
her two hands in his, and for a few
moments gaZed at her in silence: at last he
said: