The Forrest City times., 1896-07-03

force myself to forget it. Arthur walke1 away to the balcony. Do not make it harder for me-" said Esme, her voice full of sobs. What am 1 to do? l cannot do anything .o earn my own living. Look at me-" she said, bitterly, drawing herself uo to her full height; "a perfect woman, strong and healthy, with small fortune | spent on education; and yet, now that l am thrown on my own resources, why, a shop girl could make a better living than l could! Bear it, dear!" she said, going over to him. You know this must be the end."
 Dearest" he said, in broken voice, "it is only the beginning. You love me, and yet you marry this man! It is the beginning of wretchedness for you ana him and me, for all our lives!"
 Arthur" she said, slowly, "you know me. I have made up my mind, and I will carry it through. There is 10 other course for me. I cannot dc anything for myself and I will not live on charity"
 You never really loved, if you can sacrifice your love to your pride, if you can let your head govern your heart" l Il cannot help it, Arthur; I am en- gagged to Lord Hillborough, and shall marry him in October. I cannot bear another scene like this. Bid me good- by and go now-forever," she added, shivering slightly.
 l The man looked at her for second l and then took both her hands in his. ! 'Yes, sweetheart, 1 will bid you good. by and leave you forever. But let me come and spend this last evening with l you. It is not much to ask, and I l promise not to speak one word you would not like. We will have our coffee on this balcony among the flow CTS, with the lights opposite. as in those dear old days when we first met at Ostend. Say l may come, Esme, for aul2 lang syne the last evening I shall ever spend with you"
 Three hours after the witchery of the summer night had fallen upon the city, Esme, sitting on her balcony, moved to and fro and let the mystic beauty of the night steep itself into her feelings ''On such night as this" she thought. as the old words of the immortal lrama- tist came into her mind, II wonder if such a night as this has played as weighty part in anycne's love story as in mine, and this is to be the last-ah!" as shiver of remembrance came over | her, "how 1 shall hate the summer nights after this"
 All in the dark" said voice at Esme's elbow and Arthur sat down at the other side of the tiny table, where the waiter was putting down the coffee | tray.
 'Why not, Arthur" she said. "Who could be barbarian enough to have lights brought now? Look at that queen up there!" pointing to the moon. The man opened his lips, as though 10 1 speak, but shut them determinedly again He looked across at her stead | fly Heavens! What a magnificent woman she was, with her tawny hair : that gleamed like furnished gold in the tooonlight = her great gray eyes and the vivid scarlet lips and cheeks | that had before been so pale!' q do not give allegiance to two | queens" he said.
 l Don't you?" she said, laughingly, as she handed him cup of coffee, "but you are faithful soldier all the same, I hope"
 Tt pleases you to be merry tonight he answered, quietly.
 Have you ever read Mrs. Browning's | Mask. Arthur" she said, How little men understood women, after all. l You should know that the thing we seem to be is only cloak to hide what we are really feeling. But there-we | tabooed feelings for tonight"
 Did we? I only remember promis ing to say nothing to reproach you, and I shall certainly keep my word. In- deed, I will praise you. It was awfully good of you to let me come-and have one evening like those in Ostend. Do you remember?" He leaned back, and went on dreamily: 'I suppose every man has some particular way in which he pictures the woman he loves. I al- ways thought of you on a balcony, in white dress, surrounded by flowers, | laoking-well-as you look tonight. I shall remember you always so." Esmc looked up in surprise. There seemed resignation in his tone which had Lot been there three hours before.
 Arthur, your experience as man of the world must tell you that in | few years your feelings will calm l down; you will come to London and we shall meet as friends"
 He looked across at her curiously.
 You speak to me as man of the world I know l am speaking to a woman of the world. Not to the Esme of three years ago. But even from