Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-07-09
A SUMMER NIGHT.

droop. and even the leaves of the lime
trees hung listless and motionless in
the great heat. Not n single soul was
to be seen in the usually crowded An
drassy street in Buda-Pesth, 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 would disturb him at that hour.
Esme st. Maur lay down on the sofa,
lamenting that her fate had made her
spend this grilling afternoon in Buda-
Pesth. However shall I stand three
week of it? At any rate, shall not
be in town after to-day, and i hope
the country house of the embassy Is
cooler. What time is it, Klimja?"
Half past four, milady; but the
gentleman mademoiselle expected Is
waiting downstairs, and wants to know
If you will receive him." as .."
Certainly" said Esme, lazily, fasten-
ing a pink rose into her belt; bring
some more tea, Klimja, and take those
cigarettes away; shall not want them
now"
A few minutes later tall, sunburnt
man came into the room.
80 sorry, Arthur" said the lady;
"Pm positively too tired to move; this
heat is killing! I'm so glad to see you,"
she went on, looking up at him. "Let
me see, it is nearly three years since we
saw each other; what are you doing
here?"
81 was hurrying to England, Esme,"
he said, because heard a report about
you that 1 could not credit; that you
were going to be married"
SWELL" said the girl, nervously pick
ing off the leaves of her rose, lit is
quite true. No, no, Arthur, it's no use,"
she continued, 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 may al
well tell you here as anywhere else;
we cannot fight against fate, and the
fates are against us. Lookl 1t would
be ten years at least before you could
marry me, and then 1 would Oe mid
dle-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 appall-
ing in its pallor, toward him, land
left me $50 year, and since her death
i have been living, yes, living on my sis
ter's husband! Think! The proud
Esme St. Maur actually living on
charity"
"But surely" Arthur broke in,
"surely-"
"Of course they don't say so, but I
know, know. They have three chill
dren to educate, and look at the posi-
ton they have to keep up! 1 know
Franks income is by no means large,
and l feel I've no right to be burden
to them when I've good offer"
"Who is the man? ?" he said, dryly.
Lord Hillborough," 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
him?"
NO." she answered, lowering her eye
lids YEARLY; mo, but I respect him
more than-than anyone but you"
"Esme," said Arthur, hotly, show
different you are! How calculating
and worldly you have become! re-
member my little Esme holding forth
fercely that love was the one thing in
all the world, that TO marry NAH
without love was the greatest wrong II
woman could do him: that"
/ Arthur" she said, what can do?
] intend, if marry Lord Hillborough,
to be good wife to him; l cannot be
that if have another mans image in
my heart. I must live it down; must
force myself to forget it."
Arthur walked away to the balcony.
"Do not make it harder for me-" said
Esme, her voice full of sobs. what
am to do? 1 cannot do anything 20
earn my own living. Look at me-"
she said, bitterly, drawing herself up
to her full height; "a perfect woman,
strongand healthy, with small fortune
spent on education; and yet, now that
I am thrown on my own resources, why,
a shop girl could make a better living
than I could! Bear it, dear!" she
said, going over to him. "You know
this must be the end"
Dearest" he said. in broken voice
at is only the 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 me. 1 have made up my mind,
and will carry it through. There is
no other course for me. / cannot dc
anything for myself and 1 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"
Il cannot help it, Arthur; am en-
gagged to Lord Hillborough. and shall
marry him in October. cannot bear
another scene like this. Bid me good
by and go now-forever," she added,
shivering slightly.
The man looked at her for a second
and then took both her hands in his.
"Yes, sweetheart, will bid you good.
by and leave you forever. But let me
come and spend this last evening with
you. 1t is not much to ask. and I
promise not to speak one word you
would not like. We will have our