Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-04-03
A SUMMER NIGHT.

The hot summer sun was beating down
OH the long white streets and making the
flowers on the balconies droop, and even
the leaves of the lime trees hung listless
and motionless in the great heat. Not
single soul was to be seen in the usually
so crowded Andrassy street in Budapest,
and the old porter of the Hotel Esterhazy
sat half asleep, his chair well drawn back
into the shade He knew very well that
no one could disturb him at that hour.
Esmc St. Maur lay down on the sofa,
lamcnting that her fate had made her
spend this grlling afternoon in budapest
a few seconds later tall sunburned
man cnmc into the room.
$50 sorry, Arthur" said the lady.
"I'm positively too tired to move. THIS
heat is killing I'm so glad to sec you!"
she went on, looking at him. Let Inc
see, it is nearly three years since we saw
each other What are you doing hcrcg"
Tho man hesitated moment and then
became pale, and his mouth twitchcd.
Il was hurrying to England, Esmc, ne
said, "because l heard u report about you
that l could not credit-that you were GO
ing to be married
well" said the girl, nervously picking
off the leaves of her rose tits quite true.
No, no Arthur, it's no USE she cuntin-
ued sitting up and putting her hand on
his arm. Sit where you are and listen.
You see, dear, it had to come to this some
day, and l may rs we'll tell you here as
anywhere else. We cannot fight against
fate, and the fates are against us. Look
1t would be ten years at least before you
could marry me, and then l should be IA
middle aged woman. And, even if could
wait, what am to do during those ten
years? Grandmamma. you know she
went on, turning her face, now appalling
in its palior, toward him, "unly left no
600 n year, and since her death have been
living, yes, living on my sisters husbandl
Think The proud Esme st. Maur actu-
ally living ON charityN'
But surely, " Arthur broke in, "sure-
ly'-
"Of course they don't say so, but 1
know, l know. They have three children
TO educate, and look at the position they
have to keep up. | know Franks income
is by no means large, and feel I've no
right to be burden to them when l have
good offer y
"Who is the MANI" he said dryly.
"Lord II illborough, " she answered, her
eyes down.
"A man almost old enough to be your
grandfather" he said, getting up and
standing beside her.
do you care for himy'
ono" she answered, lowering her eye
lids YEARLY. "No, but l respect him moro
than-than any ono but you
! - tsmp 80 said ART ur lutlv chow differ
ent you arc How calculating and world
! ly you have become | remember my lit
tie Esmc holding forth tlercey that love
was the one thing in all the world; that to
marry Il man without love was the great
est wrong u woman could do him; that -
"Arthur,' she said, "what can | do?
l intend if | marry Lord Iillboruugh to
be good wife to him. l cannot be that
with another mans image in my heart.
| must live it down; l must force myself
to forget it,"
Arthur walked away to the balcony.
DO not make it harder for me, - said
I! Esmr, her voice full Of sobS. What am
I, l to duI l cannot do anything to earn my
! living. Look at me- she said bitterly,
drawing herself up to her fun height, "a
perfect woman, strong and healthy, with
a small fortune spent on my education.
!
resourccs-why, a shopgirl could make u
better living than l could. Bear it, dear "
she said, going over to him. "You know
this must be inc end. "
Dearest, he said in broken voice,
sit is only tho beginning. You love me,
and yet you marry this man. 1t is the
beginning of wretchedness for you and him
and me for all our lives.
Arthur, " she said slowly, you know
mo-. l have made up my mind, and will
carry it through. There is no other COURSE
for me. | cannot do anything for myself,
and l will not live on charity"
You mover really loved if you can sac
rifce your love to your pride, if you can
let your head govern your heart"
Il cannot help it, Arthur. l am en-
gagged to Lord llillborough and shall mar
ry him in October. | cannot bear another
scene like this. Bid me goodby and go
now-forever, she added, shivering
slightly.
The man looked at her for second, and
then took both her hands in his. Yes,
sweetheart, | will bid you goodby and
leave you forever But let me come in
and spend this last evening with you. 1t
is not much to ask, and promise not to
speak one word you would not like We
will have our coffee ON this balcony among
the flowers, with the lights opposite, aS in
those dear old days, when we first met ut
Ostend Say | may come Esme, for auld
lang syne-tho last evening | shall ever
spend with YOU
Three hours afterward the witchery of
the summer night had fallen upon tho
city. Esme, sitting on her balcony, moved
her fan slowly to and fro and let the mys-
tic beauty of the night steep itself into her
feelings. ION such night rs this, she
thought, as the old words of the immortal
dramatist came into her mind Il won
der if such "A night as this has played as
weighty part in any ones love story as
in miner And this is to bo the last.
All, " as the shivor of remembrance came
over her, how l shall hate the summer
, nights after thisl"
IAN in the dark?' said voice at
I Esme' elbow and Arthur sat down at the