Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-05-03
A SUMMER NIGHT.

A SUMMER NIGHT,
The hot summer sun was beating
down on the long white streets and.
making the flowers on the balconies
droop, and even the leaves OF the lime
trees hung listless and m0tionless in
the great heat. Not a single soul was
to be seen in the usually crowded An
Grassy street in Buda-P esth, and the old
poster of the Hotel EsterhaZy sat half
asleep, his chair we'll drawn back into
the shade; he knew very well that no
one could disturb him at that hour.
Esme st. Maur lay down on the sofa,
lamenting that her fate had made her
spend this grilling afternoon at Buda-
Pesth. How ever shall | stand three
weeks of it? At any rate, | shall not
be in town after to-day. and | hope the
country house Of the embassy is cooler.
What time is it Klimja?"
Half past four, milady; but the gen.
tleman mademoiselle expected is walt
ing down Stare and wants TO know IL
you will receive him.
Certainly" said Esme, lazily, fasten-
ing pink rose in her belt; bring some
more tea, Klimja and take tho. cigar
cites away; | shall not Int them
now"
A few minutes later ,dll, sunOurnt
man came into the rooL.
$50 sorry, Arthur" said the lady;
I'm positively too tired to move; this
heat is killing, I'm 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?"
The man hesitated &. moment, ard
then became pale, ant his mouth
twitched.
81 was hurrying to England, Esme,"
he said, because heard report eScut
you that | could not credit; that you
were going TO be married
Well" said the girl. nervously pick
| ing off the leaves from her rose, lit is
quite true. No, no. Arthur, it is no
use, she continued, sitting up and put
ting her hand on his arm; sit where
! you are and listen. You see, dear, it
| had 10 come to this some day, and may
as well tell you here as anywhere else:
we cannot fight against fate, and the
fates are against us. Lock. Ii would
be ten years at least before you could
marry me, and then / would be a 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
pallor toward him, only left Inc $50 a
year. and since her death ! have been
! living, yes, living on my sisters hus-
band. Think The proud Esme ST.
Maur actually living on charity!'
But surely" Arthur broke in, sure
ly-"
"Of course, they don't say SO, but I
know. | know. They have three chill
dren to educate, aud look at the position
they have to keep up. know Frank
income is by no means large, and feel
I've no right to be burden on them
when I've a good Offer
"Who is the man." ne said dryly.
Lord Hillborough," she answered,
her eyes down.
"A man almost old enc"oh TO be your
grandfather he saih, getting up and
standing beside her.
do you care for him."
NO" she answered. lowering her eye
lids YEARLY; mo, but respect him
more than-than anyone but YOU"
"Esme," said Arthur, holly. how diff
ferent you are, How calculating and
worldly you have become. fremember
my little Esme holding forth fiercely
that love was the one thing in the world
that to marry d man without love was
the greatest wrong a woman could do
him; that"
Arthur" she said. what can do?
I intend,'if marry Lord Hillbcrough,
TO be good wife to him; cannot be
that If | have another mans image in
my heart. | must live II down; must
force myself to forge- it.
Aruthur walked away TO the balcony.
do not make +. harder for me"
said Esme, her voice full OF sobs.
What am | TO do? | cannot do any
thing to earn my own living. Look at
| me-" she said. bitterly. drawing herself
Up to her full height: "a perfect wom-
an. strong and healthy, with a small
fortune spen. on education: and yet,
now that am thrown en- my own re-
sources, why, shop g.rl cCuid make
a better living than | could. Bear it,
dear" she said, going over to him.
"YGu know this must be the end"
Dearest, he said in broken voice,
at is only the beginning. You love
me, and We. you marry this man, /, is
the beginning Of wretchedness fer you
and him and me, for all our livesw
Arthur" she said. slowly. you
know me. ! have made up my mind,
and I will carry it through. There is
no o,her course fer me. | cannot do
anything for myself and | will no, 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. y
II carnc.' help Il. Arthur; | am en-
"a ged to Lord Hillborough, and shall
marry him in October. ,annOt bear
another scene like this. Bid me good
bye and 90 now-foreYer," she added,
shivering slightly.
The man looled az her for second
and then took both her hands in his.
Yes, sweetheart, / will bid yon good
bye and leave YOU forever. BIT leave
me come in and spend this last even
inc with vou l. is nor much 20 ask,