The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-21
and tho viva scnrlet lips and ohcoxs ,nn,

1t pleasos you to bc merry tonight" no
answered quietly.
"Havc you over read Mrs. Browning's
Mask, Arthur" shc said. "How littin
men understand women, after all. You
should know that tho thing wo seem to bu
is often only cloak to hide what wo are
really feeling. But thcrc, wo taboocu
feelings for tonight"
"Did wo? l only remember promising to
say nothing to rcproach you, and l shall
certainly keep my word Indeed will
praise you. Ii was awfully good of you to
let me como and-and have one evening
ike those in Ostond. DO you rcmcmberY"
He leaned back and went on dreamily: ~
suppose every man has some particular
way in which no pictures tho woman ho
loves. l always thought of you on n bal
cony in a white dress. surrounded by flow
ers and looking-wcll, rs you look tonight.
l shall remember you always 500
Esmo looked up in surprise. There
seemed u resignation in his tone which
had not been there three hours before
Arthur, your experience rs man OF
the world must tell you that In few years
your feelings will calm down. You will
como to London, and wo shall meet rs
friends.
Ho looked across Mt hcr curiously
You speak to mo as II man of the world.
/ know am speaking to n woman of the
world, not to the Esno of throo years ago.
But oven from your calm standpoint of u
woman of tho world you are wrong. 1 ad-
nit that n mans love might calm down.
as you say, evon were 1t rs strong rs mime
if he reached his goal but tho removal of
tho prize beyond his reach makes him long
for it more fiorcely. Such at least is my
case. You see, dearest, wo feel so differ
emily | COnlI hpnr IN
Other mans wife, and therefore l shall
never como near you again. You believe
that my love will cool down. l know now
that 1t never will, and 1 prefer to ond 1t II.
its height not to SEQ it die a slow death
by tho stages of affection, regard, indiflor-
encc.''
END it," said Esmc. "Whnt do you
! mean!''
Il mean that after tonight shall nevor
see you again, according to your own
wish"'-
ARTHUR" sho broke in, You misun-
dcrstand me. l meant only until YOU could
SEQ mo without-without loving mo"
THAT will DO never, dear he said.
'and rs am never to SEQ you again am
I glad to have scon you for the last time as
l liked to sec you best, rs always pictur-
ed you in my heart
You are getting sentimental - she said
with forced laughed Your coffee will
be cold.
Arthur took tho cup and poured few
drops from II small green bottle into it,
Excuse me-" he said Il had nasty
touch OF fever n few weeks ago and take
my drops in my tea or coffoo Ike an old
woman"
and looked at him. Eyes, you look hng-
ri MI III ia a.. ,h O.,
ernoon. L wish you would not 90 back to
that horrid India. Why don't you take
moro care OF yourself? Are you going on
to London now?'
"Oh, do not tnlk of moi" tho man said
hurriedly. Tell mo about yourself.
What have you been doing all these years:
Have you been in Ostend again.
No" she answered gently; II never
cared to go back there
'Then you really remembered and cared
Esme:" Tho pain in his voice was terri
bio to hear, hut he suddenly recovered
himself This is quite like ono of those
evenings. We only want the music he
added in different tone.
A silence fell between them for n few
minutes. They seemed unable To talk OK
cept on the subject they both wished to
avoid. Suddenly, rs though in answer to
Arthur's wish for music, tho curtain on
the lower balcony was again drawn back,
and Paul do Jaerschky stepped out
"Ah, nc said gently, ION such a night
there is but one song, mia crra." and his
glorious voice burst forth with ..ssl. -. e
feeling into that song-thc wonderful love
song that has touched so many hearts:
'Have you forgotten. love. 50 soon tina: night,
that lovely night III June.
When down the tide, so idly dreaming, we
hoatcd whero the moon lay cleaning?
Ny hear; WAS weary and oppressed with some
sweet longing half confessed.
When. like an answer to my signing, your haad
i'll mine was gently lying.
love. that last, long look that met! Can you
forget? Can you forget:'
=
Esmo hent forward with a sudden OK
preston of agony and buried her face in
her hand. My God, not that-not that
sho murmurcd. y great trembling shook
the man opposite her, but ho restrained
himself, and, drinking down his coffee
with one gulp no leaned bncll in his chair
with closed eyes. Meanwhile the great
singer won't on:
ooh. night of love, charmed night Of June.
Tint night We vowed by heavens own
moon,
That night of nights our troth we plighted for
all eternity unitcdi
Then first knew your heart. my heart, one
lffc, ono soul, no more to part!
| All, then l said what cor bctide us, no. death
itself shall not divide usl
| All. lovely. lovely night of June! Can you for
got so soon-so soont"
Arthur, Arthur" cried Esme, kneol-
ing down beside him, Il have been mad
havo been foolish. | cannot forget
| Love is the ono thing in this world
Rank, money, are nothing! l do love
| you! will watt Why do you not speak.
Lover" she cried rs the man sat motionlcss.
"Will you not take mo in your arms, kiss