The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-25


comes to sit in my study. Her work bas-
ket and books nrc In corner; even when
absent tho atmosphere of her peryatcs tho
room like spirit and soothes me. We arc
usually quito silent, but when 1 do speak
She listens rs she did when first read my
poems to her, and the tlickering gold in
her brown eyes seems to light my memory
and color my expression. Tho othor day
she said, II know exactly the position
which l occupy between your books and
cigarettes. Her tone was somewhat Bit
ter. But proved to her that she Is my
most precious friend, for she never borcs
me, following all my moods and indulging
thein In manner most surprising when
l think OF 10. Really am so thankful
that for once I resisted tho temptation of
flirting. Love would have spoiled our
Friendship, as 1t does everything Even
Mime. dc Canaples torments her lover,
for she is going to marry jacques de Chan.
dieu, ut least sho tells me so. But on this
subject she lavishcs all the caprice and
childshness which friendship seems to
have drowned in her with me. Sometimes
She speaks passionatoly of 10 beau Jacques,
who is dashing officer of ohasseurs, some
what brainlcss, very handsome and quito
spoiled by Mme. de Plot Chantlieu At
other times Mime do Canaplcs says that sho
hooSo MN, anu 6uOuCIl TCNCcSlOTS OF
feeling are really beginning to torment him
into u man of thought Ho obeys her like
faithful dog; she snubs him rs woman
does man who loves her, whereas with
me she Is unfailing in her gentle consid-
Grafton, ccascless in her delicate alton
tions. And the moral of all this Is, II YOU
love woman, don't mako love to her, If
you love her, don't marry her. told hor
SO the other day. She blushcd and laughed
until the tears rolled down her cheeks,
saying rs usual, Tho wit of mani" as
she wiped her eyes and composed herself
back to the letter which I was debating
to my London tailor.
But do wish she would marry Jacques
and be done with it. Her capricious treat
ment of him and appeals to my sympathy
arc rather tcasing. She always wants to
know what 1 think. Now, that is just
what l don't do when sho is by me- 1
then simply take reposo in her society from
all mental cxcrtion. 1t has become habit,
and these constant demands OH my reason
Ing faculties though nattcring, bore me-
Can no woman ever leave we'll enough
alone?
When sho came in this afternoon, saw
by the way She lowered about my chair
before sitting down that something was
on her mind She wore q red dress very
like that which she had on tho day l first
met her at Nine. dc Rctz's garden party.
She struck me as prctticr than ever, and
her charming figure was JOY to my eyes
as she lay on tho sofa or leaned over to
read my lust poem. There is about her
something suavcly womanly which acts
like charm on man. She has that fra
GRANGE of body and soul which makes mo
feel rs though life is really worth living
when she Is mt my side.
Il am decided to marry Jacques, " she
snid as she poured mo out n cup of tea.
AT last Allow mo to congratulate
you, 1 remarked, with q vast assumption
of interest.
mo. am very miserable" sho sighed
as she passed mo tho cup.
''Why2"
Because don't love him enough"
why marry him them"
"Because-bccause 1 am lonely, Rcgi-
nald " and her expression was piteous as
she repeated, "Oh, SO lonelyl'
did you love NJ. de Cnnaplcs?''
mo, was too young"
Have you ever loved any oncp" in
quired airily after u pause.
She jumped to her feet like a startled
deer and confronted mo with burning eyes.
Yes" she said fiercely. ayes.
WAS he marricd?"
She shook her head.
''Dcads
mo"
why don't you take him them"
Sho slowly answered, with downcast
eyes, He doesn't love me-
Are you surc?''
She looked up at me. Yes" sho said,
IL am quite sure"
"Wcll, then, try to make him."
" have, - she rptOrfcl SborpIv
Without success? You astonish me.
wns only just thinking how fascinating
you arc" She blushcd. 'There is some
thing about you which particularly APP
peals to man. We arc all such vain crea-
lures that any woman particularly you,
with few smiles might reduce the most
indifferent of us to Il desperate condition 4"
She shrugged her shoulders. Have YOU
tried everything with him?"
She turned on me curiously "Now,
really what do you suppose hnvo been
doingf Docs woman ever give up any
thing but n losing gamc?" She laughed
little sardonically and repeated wcarily
as She let herself fall back on the sofa.
Yes, l have tried everything, Reginald,
dear; everything"
You have even told him you love him2"
Certainly not"
Try that
But she answered, turning round OH
me. II have insnuated it. And if he
won't see it it's because no can't love mo
and doesn't wish to triAo with my affcc-
lions by raising false hopes.''
{" A rare gentleman if such is tho case"
You approve of him then?''
Don't we agree in evcrything?"
Yes" she answered sadly And then
she began TO cry like child, violent, not
tears of rage and grief. My whole soul
swelled to sympathy. took her hands
and softly kissed them. Perhaps I am
little In love with her, at least Thought so
at the time. but then know women s sen
sitiveness too we'll to allow my love to
burst on their unhappiness Perhaps my