Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-05-03
shall hate the summer nights after

the other side of the tiny table w.hars
the waiter was putting down the cot
fee tray.
why not. Arthur" she said "Ub,
could be barbarian enough IN bays
lights brought now? Look a, tba,
queen up there" pointing to the MON
The man opened his lips. as though 10
speak. but shut Qiem de.erminsd,v
Heavens. What magnificent woman
she was. with her nwny hair that
gieamsd like FURNISHED gold in the
moonlight-her great gray ewes and
the vivid scarlet lips and cheeks thad
has before been 50 pale.
Il do not give allegiance to twc
queens" ne said.
Don't you?" she said. Iaughin1,v
as she handed him a cup of coffee .'b,Ii
you are a faithful soldier all the same
hope.
III pleases you TO be merry to-
night he answered, quietly.
Have You ever read Mrs. Brown
ing's Mask, Arthur" she said. How
little men understood women. after
all. You should know that the thing
we seem 10 be is only a cloak to hide
wha. We are really feeling. But
there-we tabooed feelings for to-
night"
Did we? l only remember promis-
ing 10 say nothing TO reproach you,
and | shall certainly keep my word.
Indeed, ! will praise YOU. l. was aw-
fully 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: Il suppose
every man has some particular way in
which he pictures the woman he loves.
| always thought OF you on balcony,
in a white dress. surrounded by fow-
ers, and looking-well-as you look
tonight. | shall remember you al
ways So"
Esme looked up in surprise. There
seemed a resignation in his tone which
had no. been there three hours before.
Arthur, your experience as man OF
len world must tell you that in a few
years your feelings will calm down;
you will come to London and We shall
meet az friends
He locked across at her curlously.
you speak to me as man OF che
world | know | am speaking to a wo-
man of the world Not to the Esme of
| three wears ago. Blu. even from your
| calm standpoint Of a woman Of the
| world yLu are wrong. | admit that a
mans lcye might calm down, as you
! say. e7en were it as strong as mine.
If lie reaches his goal, but the removal
OF che prize beyond his reach makes
1im long for it more fiercely. Such, at
least. is my case. You see. dearest, we
feel so differently. | could never bear
to see you another mans wife. and
therefore shall never come near yor
again. You believe that my love will
| cool down; | know now that 1t never
will. and prefer 10 end it at its height,
nor. to see it die a slow death by the
stages Of Observation-Disclosures
ence."
END it?" said Esme; what do you
mean"
Il mean that after tonight l shall.
never see you again-according to your
own wish"
Arthur" she broke in, you mis-
understand me. ! meant only until
you could see me withowt-without low
ing me-"
THAT will never be, dear" he said,
"and as am never 20 see you again l
am glad TO have seen you f0E-ti3S--lssss
time as | liked 10 sec You best-as /
have always pictured you in my heart"
"You are getting sentimental she
said, with a forced laugh. Your COT
fee will be cold"
Arthur took the cup and poured a
drops from a small green bottle into
it.
Excuse me-" he said. Il had a
nasty touch OF fever few weeks ago.
and take my drops in my tea or coffee,
like an old woman
Fever, Arthur" She bent forward
and looked at MIN. Yes, you look
haggard and i'll. | did not notice It
this afternoon ! wish you would not
go back 10 that horrid India, Why
don't you take more care o. yourseH
Are you going to London now"
"Oh, do not talk 10 me- the man said,
| hurriedly: tell me about yourself.
What have you been doing all these
years? Have you been in Ostend
again."
NO" she answered. gently; / have
never cared to go back there.
Then you really remembered and
cared. Esme?" The pain in his voice
was terrible to hear, but he suddenly
recovered himself. This is quite lko
one of those evenings. We only want
the music" he added in dinerenI
| tone.
4 silence fell between them Tor
few minutes. They seemed unable %
talk except on the subject they both
wished TO avoid. Suddenly az though
in answer to Arthur's wish for music,
the curtain on the lower balcony was
again drawn back. and Paul De JaeI-
schky stepped out.
"Ah." he said, gently, "on such
night there Is bus one song. mia cara,
ard his glorious voice burst forth win
passionate feeling into that song-.ne
wonderful love song that has touched
so many hearts.
Esme bent forward with sudden eX-
preston of agony and buried her face
| in her hands. MY God. MOI that-not
THAI" she murmured. A great trem-
bling shook the man opposite her. but
he restrained himself and drinking
down his coffee with one gulp. ne
leaned back in his chair with closed
eyes. Meanwhile the great singer went
on.
Arthur, Arthur" cried Esme, kneei.
ing down beside him; - have been MAD!
I have been selfish! cannot forge:
Love is the one thing in this world.
Rank-money are nothing! | do love
vou will wait Why do you not