Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-04

"Oh. The signorins was too Kind. Perhaps
Catinss chamber was not in VERY good order.
But IL the signorina would excuse -
In dne. Miss Andrews found herself in . dira
chamber, standing beside a bed wb-re a httls
chalk copy OF Cs;ina Law on the pillow. looking
up at her with large. shrinking eyes. The bed
cover held close under her chin. Where vas
the color. the smile, the brightness? NhsTe ths
gentle humility poabt and Questioning. not
untouched by aversion. looked through those
eyes. The lips uttered an inarticulate murmur
which was neither welcome nor compliment, but
mercy a reluctant recognition - her presence.
Miss Andrews talked on volubly q her IN
fsllible remedy TIL she got rad ci the SCR Eosa,
then leaned over the bed and siaoothcd hAcs
the sick girls tumbled hair. III isat tooth
ache. Catinal" she whispered.
oh, murmared Catinu. with a loJk OF fear.
''ls he 20 blnmo?' pursued her visitor
oh, no, | don't know what you meant
Cstina painted. shrinking back. NO one d 10
blame; L am foolish. have caught cold.
did he ever kiss youg" Miss Andrews vent
on. ignoring the girl incohereut urotest. And
looking steadily into her eye-
Tho lids fen suddenly over them v. al two
beautiful, dArk-frTnscd curves ON tie fals
cheeks He had Kissed her once ki-s re-
mcmbered and wrapped awav IN her lfast of
hearts, not confessed even ~ her aunt IL va.
light kiss on her rcd cheek. given az ths
moment when he had successfully arranged her
eastern headdress. with its ruby dropi iue IN
the forehead In ring ~ black hair 10 hni
been more an irnrulsiye expression - artistic
delight than a personal carc~s. aud had t---n
quickly rcpentod Of Catua has -riore than
once tried TO study ont the real meaning - his
quick change of manner. the Il ought not 70
have done that,' aud the almost GOODNESS Which
he had maintained during the res; 81 the sitting.
Il do not know WAT vou mean. he said 70
Miss Andrews. Nobody ki-scs mo. "
IL was enough. He had Kissed beg,
The visitor rose with a bticf word u farewell
and went TO her own room o. prepare her
trunks. She WAS too busy q 20 down %
luncheon. and when she appeared 81 She dinner
table II was IN travelling G-css. with hand lax
wrap and cushion.
Whose trunk Is that she dcmau,ca Of tho
servant who descended the stairs before her
with one on his back
The Signor Dennvs'. signorira"
so ne knew that rhe would set cut that night
instead OF waiting tiu morning
Il can go into another apartment. vou know"
he said. when she expressed her surpri.c.
She laughed lightly. After a.. his as,-.i.,
pleased her and she would not condemn lin
anheard.
Dinner was over. the rood-hyos were saii.
and the gondola vas al thu door
say goodbye TO Cutina FOR mo ~ DENNIS
said. and give her this 20 blv samo Eftla
trinket with. Tell her that u ever she wished
10 sell her picture / viii buv H."
Miss Andrews could see no sign 81 regret ~
OF conscious einbarras-mcnt IN him. there
was only kindness and n careless reu.rssitv.
Then out into world white aud stlsril
with moonlight or velvet black with ,lialars.
where they took the short route through inner
canals 10 the station. Both glanced up A. tie
house as they raised oai In front - Il and saw
small. whiie-robel figure leaning from lie
uppermo-; window.
'iou don't suppose that Catina has cot ont
OF bed to look sftor Is exclaimed Denuys IN
surprise.
Why should she7" his companion replied,
turning her head away.
(afina fra-,bgi,--r -
leaned from the window 20 watch the .ondola
TAU II eturned 90 tho Riva and disannenr,d
under bridge; then she wen; shiverinr bncs 20
bed again The hand under her cheek held the
gold napoleon that Dennys had sent her. held
II so close that cheek and palm must have taken
the PRINT Of the coin. There was no feeling in
her heart that could make her refuse or resent a
gift OF money from him. lie had not wanted
her, that was all Nobody was 60 blame. She
did not even blame herself SINCE she had not
betrayed that unconsidered Kiss OF las % he
lady. She was simply humbled aud hroken
her humniation WAS greater even than her cor
row. he seemed to herself like rut shell OF
an orange peel, thrown away and knowing itscR
worthless; and she wondered that they took 40
much pains with her. She did not want .he
doctor that they called presently They need
not take the trouble 10 SIT with her nor 10 sfui
her up so many dainties. She could not cat,
ner throat felt 30 frightened. Meantime shs
couGhed more and more.
Il Am going just "a m other dia. - she thouga
NJ Is better 80. for j am good for nothing here.
Nobody wants me. am a foolish CARL"
For the two agtisss IL sOuthN@ra he and
still farther sonthEard "a the weather rr.w
colder, til winter found them in Cas-i Thcv
were lovers now, plighted aud ackuo gledgdl,
and as happ. as birds. Perhaps tbsv would
marry in the spring and 60 to Russia, % N1r-
way, who knows! TO the north pole. All things
seemed possible. so full was their delighi ia lie
and in each other.
Only now and chen the woman saw the shadow
OF skeleton at her FEAST % n serpent in har
paradise. CatinR and the kiss we're uot anni-
hilated, but only hiddoa. aud out Of their an
acknowledged existence rose itfli jcA,on-iy
and doubt. like - miasma Those beautiIl
models troubled her. for they all TOOK a fancy
to Dennys golden beard and han lslme face
Besides, they all had the same ambition. TO
marry an artist; perhaps Il mllord. az very least
an artlsL Some OF their former friends were
now great ladies.
Aad one day OF early spring. going up 10 the
terrace OF their boarding house. which they
sometimes used as an outdoor studio. she
caught Dennys In interesting colloquy with one
OF these girls HIS amused and pepotratiug
gaze and ihe girls coquctt-h attitude explained
why they Immediately ceased sreakiug When
Miss Andrews appeared. A slight Coz fusion
showed through their silence.
"foa can 60" Dennys said then. Il dont
think shall want you tomorrow. One more
sitting VIII do"
The girl went a; once. and he turned % face
Miss Andrews, who held letter in her hsud.
what has happened" he Askcd hastily. "How
strange you look
'Canna, your NeEe'ian model /. doaA." he
said abruptly. and, passing HIM by, she took .
seat near the parapet aud looked Of over the
sea. her brows frowuing
Dennys uttered an exclamation % REGRET.
Poor Little thing, / was afraid that n M lht
end So She fragile as my little dove
that died OF nothing. DO you rene nber my
dove OF saint MARX Franz
II did not mean To tell YOU IL 7 could help
u, she said, making movement q rouulsion
as he came nearer 10 her. Il saii % mrssIf
that YOU meant no harm. ana that tor her saise,
as well as for your own. I would remain silent,
unless l should see ven triliug vi IA some other
girl. Now listen TO what 1 can tell you a.
Catina.
She spared him nothing. Al the little SIGNS
that woman's glance Gcte-ts TIE rirI watch
ing him from behind curtain. towering about
with any excuse when he was pre-sut mauag-
ing TO meet him on the stair or ~ the door. the
trembling hand when she served hun. the wan
der;ng attendtion when she heard h'm tIcak,
the glimpse of Catila in the corridor When
they came home that evening aud hcr sulrse-
quent disappearance. the interview che had hor-
self sought and the little white figure that
gazed after them when they left Venice.
10 me, love and all signs OF love are a.
Il NEN