The aegis & intelligencer., 1895-01-25
DESPISED THE MEN.


A private hanson waited at the door of
an imposing house of business near Lud,
gate hill
A young man descended the steps, gave
a direction to the driver, sprang into the
cab and was driven rapidly away. Till he
reached the embankment his thoughts
clung to the city and his transactions
there. The sun on the silver water chang
ed the scene of his mental vision, and he
lit cigar.
He intended to drive straight to South
Kensington to see the enigma, and the
enigma was naturally woman. He had
passion for what he could not understand,
mingled with keen sense of humor. The
latter prevented the former from becoming
ridiculous.
In age he bore 30 years; by birth he was
a Jew. His cold, handsome face boasted
Grecian nose, somewhat long, gray eyes
and large we'll shaped mouth. His fair
hair curled in tight, crisp ourls and grew
far back from the brow. He was, without
ostentation, well dressed. By name Ru-
dolph Herman and the head of the firm
of which he was member, he had never
met with any opposition which he bad not
overcome, and even to the enigma he read
possible solution if she would be content
to caro- for him little and become his
wife
She was an artist-a fair, tall woman
with bewitching manner. Her unclc's
death three weeks previously left her alone
in the world and rid her, SO rumor has It,
of her most persistent trial.
Herman thought she had some of the
old time witchery and acknowledged her
a queen of hearts. Beyond that he ad
mired her Intelligence and thought her a
moderately good artist, but all these
things cams secondly to the feeling that
he wanted her for his wife.
She was inbued with the modern strong
woman theories In his heart he consid
cred them absurd. He himself was pre-
pared to make much of any woman with
whom he came in contact. He denied
them nothing and failed to discover why
they had cause to complain.
Only the week before he had ended an
old filtration, with the generosity all on
his side, since he wished to 60 to his blue
eyed sphynx an absolutely free man.
The cab reached Knightsbridge, and he
grew, to his astonishment, somewhat
nervous. The fact of his caring for this
woman made him lose some of his usual
cold composure She had trick of max
ing most men believe that they were fools.
She made him feel one without changing
his belief in himself dissociated from her
presence
He passed the park and was bowed to
graciously by many pretty face from the
passing carriages. There was one woman
who had earned his boyish admiration Is
years ago, and who had lost 1t at one
sweep when he once heard her dub him at
large ball given in her honor ''her rich
little jew boy" They called him other
than little Jew boy now. The reflection
gave him satisfaction. After all, it was
something to occupy the position he held
at his age, and he wondered
A lady walking in the park attracted
his attention. lady dressed in black
from head to foot He stopped his cab.
sprang out and followed her.
Miss Graham?" he said.
She started, turned, with a looked Of
waiting fo= something which character
lied her whole face. Rumor had it that
with waiting.
"Oh, Mr. Herman, is it your 1 am glad
to have the opportunity Of thanking you
for very kind letter"
May / accompany you little wayf'
IF you like"
He returned, gave an order to his coach
man and regained his place by her side
He approved of the elegance Of her mourn.
ing. She was secretly amused at a certain
air Of nervousness which was new in him.
II was on the road to call on you" he
announced.
Were you reallyi am glad we hap
pened to meet then. So you are going to
waste some precious business hours ON
mes'
He answered bluntly, II wanted to see
you" and the conversation dropped
Presently he added, There is much l
ought to say to you, much sympathy it
would be proper for me to express, but
hope you will understand me if l leave 1t
unsaid."
PLEASE do. The expression of 1t Is
needless. and I have been wearied with So
much"
He was annoyed with himself for feeling
awkward He realized anew that she
had one sido to her character which he
could mover reach or explain, but he be
lieved it of too small significance to in
terfere with their mutual happiness.
Il know am talking to a man hater,
he began.
Halter, no, d" she cried. "Despiser, yes.
You make it impossible for me to con
tinue"
She smiled Surely not. You will
merely resume your ordinary defense of
man"
He unused a moment. Strange" he
said gravely II have not thought much
of women. as rule, and yet think much
of you"
The blood leaped to her cheeks.
But you used them, l imagine, for
your pleasure, as most men do"
He looked straight into her eyes and
repeated coolly:
Certainly. AS most men do"
The gesture of her little gloved hand
expressed disgust.
Il am no better than my fellows, and
hope no worse You are an extraordinary
woman, because you are to a certain ex-
tent original and clever, but are you any
better than the rest of your sexP Serious
ly, doubt 1t.
She laughed bitterly.
Now you are vexed," he said.
mo. i am merely hurt that you should
have said it. l wanted your belief In my
honesty of purpose to remain."
1T does remain. 1 was merely defend
ing my sex"
Her lips curled. "By vilifying mine
A common weakness"
He nodded, with smile. II pretend to
nothing unusual In eloquence or thought.
She was silent.
'May say what have come to sayf"
he inquired.
She turned and looked at him and said
breathlessly: "Oh, be quickl What is itS'
"Surely you have guessed"
"Guessedi No, no, indeed not But ]