Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-13

with the first touch Of bitterness For fol-
~ it is. deep and black. l am not-nay, was
l eyer-one to ramble in green fields all day
and go home to cottage"
"NeN err" said l. Nor will be, save for
the love of a man you love. Save for that,
what woman has been? But for that, how
manyT
why, very few" said she, with a gentle
little laugh. And Of that few-I am not
one. Nay, nor do lam l cruel?-nor do
love you, Simonr'
You swear it?'
But litte-as friend-an old friend"
And a dear one?'
Zone dear for a certain pleasant folly
that he has,
you'll conner
mo"
:, Why not? But in day neither you nor
+ would ask why
Don't ask now. There's a regiment of
reasons" Her laugh burst out again, yet
her eyes seemed tender.
"Give me one"
II have given one. don't love YOU"
II won't take it,
Il am what am" .a
You should be what I would make you"
you're to live at the court. To serve the
Duke of Monmouth, Is 1t not?' .
What do l care for that? Are there no
others?"
Let go my hand-no, let it go. See, now,
I'll show you. There's q ring on it."
81 see the ring
"A rich one"
VERY rich"
Simon, do you guess who set 1t thereg'
He is your king only while you make
him SUCH"
Nay" she cried. with sudden passion. II
am set IN my course Then came defiance.
II wouldn't change II. Didn't l tell you
once that I might have power with the
king?"
Power? What's that to you? What's it
to any of us beside lover"
"Oh. 1 don't know anything about your
love-" she cried, petulantly. but 1 know
what / love-the stir, and the erowns of
the great ladies, and the counting of great
lords. All, but why do 1 talk? Do We rea-
son with a madman?"
IF we are touched ever SO little with his
disease"
She turned to me with sparkling eyes.
She spoke very softly:
"Ah Simon, you, too have a tongue:
Can you also lure women? think you
could But keep 1t, Simon, keep 1t for your
wife, There's many a maid would gladly
take the title, for you're fine figure, and
I think you know the way to woman's
heart
Standing above me (for had sunk back In
my chair)she caressed my cheek gently with
her hand. l was checked, but not beaten.
My madness as she called 1t (as must not
also call IT'D, was still In me, hot and
surging. Hope was yet alive, for she had
shown me tenderness. and once 1t had SEEM
ed as though a passing shadow of remorse
shot across her brightness. Putting out
my hands. took both of hers again. and SO
looked up in Ter face. dumbly beseeching
her. a smile quivered on her lips as she
shook her head at me.
Heaven keeps you for better things"
she said.
''Td be the judge of them myself" I
cried. and I sought to carry her hands to
my lips.
Let me Co." she said; Simon, you must
let me go. Nay, you must. So! Sit there
and I'll sit opposite to you"
She did as she said, seating herself over
against me, although quite close. She look
ed me in the face. Presently she gave a
little sigh.
won't you leave me now?" she asked.
with a plaintive smile.
shook my head, but made no other an
swer.
came to Hatchstead: I'm sorry that I
brought you to London, that l met you In
the lane. that brought you here today. as
didn't guess your folly. I've lived with
one other, so I didn't dream Of such folly
as yours. Yes, I'm sorry"
you can give me Joy infinitely greater
than any sorrow I've had by you." said
in a low voice.
On this she sat silent for a full minute.
seeming to study my face. Then she look
ed to right and left, as though she would
fain have escaped. Then she laughed lit
tie, but grew grave again, saying. II don't
know why l laughed" and signing heavily.
I watched every motion and change in her.
waiting for her to speak again. At last
she spoke.
.sYou won't be angry with me. Simonr'
she asked, coaxingiy.
why, no." answered. wondering.
''Nor run quite mad, nor talk OF death
nor any horrorsT
"rn hear all you say calmly" an
swered.
She sat looking at me In a whimsical dis
tress, seeming to deprecate with and to
pray my pardon, yet stil to hint amuse-
ment deep-hidden In her mind. Then she
drew herself up and q strange and most
pitifui pride appeared in her face. I did
not know the meaning of 1t. Then she
leaned forward toward me. blushtng lit
tie, and whispered my name.
s'Tm waiting to hear you," said !. Ny
voice came sad, stern and cold.
.sYou'il be cruel to me, know you will,"
she cried petulantly.
ION my life no" said I. what b Il you
want to say?
She was IKE q child who shows you some
loved forbidden toy that shs should not
have. but prizes above all her tribes: there
was that ally Joy. that ashamed emulation
In her face.
IT have promises." she whispered, clasp
| ing her hands and nodding her head at me
..Ah, they make songs on me and laugh at
me, and C1stiemaine looks 1t me as though
was the street dirt under her feet. But
they shall sset Aye. they shah ses that