The Princeton union., 1893-07-13
THE PROMISE OF THE EY Ess

& ~ October afternoon. The gray trans
parency of the Partisan atmosphere
lent a wonderful glamor to the autumn
hues, like flmy gauze over the face of
some rich Eastern beauty, and the
seductive harmony of the col
4 ors acted like magic music on
the spirit. In the distance, the bare
trees looked like vague blue smoke
against the pale sky, and, near at hand,
the fallen leaves, damp in shadowed
places or dry and crisp in the sun,
showed all the shades from purple and
rich copper to gray and gold.
My gaze was fastened upon the hori-
zon, and / was completely wrapped in
that peculiar sadness which exquisite
harmony Of any kind is apt to produce.
Suddenly l heard close to my ear
voice of full, sweet quality: f-..E
"Est-ce que ton occur rempllt. ia
promesse de tes yeux? Does your
heart fulfill the promise of your eyes?'
I turned, and beheld sitting on the
bench beside me young man who
was regarding my face with q strange
and intense interest. ..e...aa- = r..
should have known that, even if i
had not noticed his beautiful, musical
pronunciation; his eyes Were almond
shaped and very brilliant, owing to the
blush color of the whites and the
profound black of the pupils, his COM
plexion a rich olive, his features
straight and chiseled. and above his
sweet. almost childishly innocent mouth
a soft dark down was visible. His face
was that of an enthusiast, martyr
in posse; he was evidently an extrem-
list, and, like many who are very IN
tense inclined to narrowneSs of ideas.
There was something in his expression
that attracted and fascinated me, some
thing that freed me from any fear,
that seemed to place me outside of
iconventi0ndlites and in another world.
'rDoes your heart fulfill the promise
'of your eyes?' he repeated, gravely
and as though the answer We're OF great
Importance.
w.. What is the promise of my eyes:?'
asked, interested and losing all sense
of the strangeness of his question.
v ."A promise sublime and tender,' he
said; and continuing, after "a few mo-
ments pause: Your eyes promise to
render some one perfectly happy; to
remove for him who passes his life
at your side all trouble and care. They
promise to give him pure, eternal JOY
unmarried by sadness, to make for him
heavenly paradise upon this weary
earth. Swear to me that this promise
will be kept"
''But, really, MONSIEUR I answered
frankly, Il think it will not. Such a
VOW is not possible-I-"
Tits Just as I feared" he interrupted
me, with deep sigh. We'll, then,
there is but one thing left for me to
do. I must close your eyes forever
But why?"
because they deceive"
But that is not my fault
"No, it is not your fault, poor child;
but, all the same, / must eXtingrish
that false promise forever. / must kill
you"
r. He drew from his pocket "a small
knife of fine Eastern workmanship,
with a shining, curved blade and ivory
handle.
l looked about us, we were entirely
alone and in such secluded part Of the
park that it was not likely thIt any
one was even within hearing distance;
the situation was becoming serious;
it was necessary to make an effort.
'Monsieur," l commenced, :timidly;
ii will empty my eyes 'of that prom
ise"
'"Impossible''
''I will try-try to fulfill it,
"That lis the first falsehood you have
spoken" he replied severely; you
know that you can not fulfill it,
'1 will close my eyes myself forever. y
"Your eyes are stronger than you
nothing lbut death can control them"
"And do you really wish to xiii 'me?''
! asked, temporizing, willie I looked
about anxiously for some chance OF
escape.
He: grasped my hand and held 1T firm.
ly, turning his face deliberately away
from mine while he answered resolute-
ly, IT must"
.iWhy?'
ITO prevent you frGm killing many
Others. You are as n child armed with
a sharp sword. You will stab the
hearts of many men. Eft lis ;better rth;tt
sone die than many"
"But monsieur, have done nothing
His fingers clinched my wrist like
iron, his features were pttiless, he
would not look at me, the stiffness
about us was frightful.
You may not be guilty." he said
:gloomily; but I am appointed Mour ,ex
your eyes there exists a fearful lie
the tone will not, can not give what ths
'other promises. 1t is the duty of every
)honestiman to fight and to pat :an END
ITO lies. In the name of TRUTH her,
The raised his knife to his lips, kissins
,the blade with a.Solemnity THAT caused
me ITO .shiver violently q sacrifice
,yo,1---" ...
'sWait, wait, monsieur, one msomnentt,, >
l;cried; 'iane last reauest.''
'''Only oEe,'' he assented, pas7sins s
though for just 41oment, his h;cne
still raised with mearderous gesture
'You are going to kill me on aceoym
of what you read in my eyes, are yol
mot2" g,",.-e :,
cit is for ;that that sacrifice you-''
We'll, then before-hefore you XII
me- allow me- allow Aae to look il
yoells:'' "
That is just" he murxaered to him
self and, turning his head toward me
his baalhmat eyes, burning with secret
IRE met Mfine ' .s.E.. ~ E2 Ges.G.