The times., 1898-12-25


Bile. and the craclxie of the logs on the
hearth and an occasional movement in
an inner room were the chief things
which attracted the ear.
Clar.a Won Stromberg lay back in low
easy chair, and opposite to her on the
hearthrug stood her fance. DR.. Hans
Brett, who, as all the world knows, was
one of the cieverest men OF his profess
Icy in the whole of Europe.
ms was only young then. and a fine
fello~-broad. strong, and comeiy to look
upon.
C.aria Won Stromberg was, perhaps, the
ncst beautiful woman in the whole king
dom. but it would be dangerous to say
more than that in this age, when so
many women are beautiful.
Claria was also n celebrity. AT this
moment she was the idol of the hour.
for those who ought to know had said
that she was the musician of the day
Hans Brett locked down at her from
his great height on the hearthrug, and
smiled.
The whole city is electrified" he said.
Even on Change-as our American
friends say--the talk is all of Ciaria
You and your movements, your wonder
ful personality. your marvellous music.
appear to be the one thought and talk
of everyone. They say that the Grand
Duke is positively bewitched. You have
much to answer for, little woman.
''The Grand Duke is a good man., muir
INJURED Claria. II wish all the personages
] have met had treated me as he always
has done. / admire. | revere him
They say. that tonight Is to be the
greatest gala they have ever had in
Prineenburg. About twenty-five royalties
are coming to the theater. and 1 coula
not enume-ate the number of; grandees
who viii follow in their train. And it is
all for you. really, though they talk of
jubilee. The theater looks like fairy
land. all garlarded with roses sent from
the South OF France, at enormous cost.
and across the proscenium Claria. in
huge letters. composed entirely of Write
lilies on a background of laurel. is the
most striking feature in the who'e p,ace.''
How absurd CALCULATED Claria. 81
wish people would not lose their heads
over so little
1T was done at the Grand Dukes ex-
press command. And after all. it IS
most beautiful-iike yourself" His tone
changed suddenly, and he crossed the
little space between them and dropped
onto his knees beside her. "Oh, m,
sweetheart. you are looking like an angel
II.
well il becomes your
Ciaria laid one hand tenderly on his
shoulder and smiled sweetly into his
eyes.
II am glad you like it. You know. Hans.
that / dress and play and live only for
you The rest of the world seems. oh, so
far away from US two when we are to-
gether. and when you are away / always
fee SO terribly alone
ing her in his arms. The love between
these two was 50 deep and true that they
seldom used words TO express it, deeming
them too poor.
Ciaria. however, seemed inclined this
evening 10 say more than usual on the
subject
You know. Hans. that If anything hap
pened 10 you / should leave the world. L
mean should go away into some house
where / never saw people again. and there
/ should wait and pray until the moment
came when we should meet again
Hans laughed.
why should anything happen to me?''
he cried, happily. 81 am strong and
healthy, sober, and only a very small
smoker. Besides, ride my bicycle with a
great deal more prudence than the aver
age man. No. please God. nothing will
happen to divide us" Then, with a sud-
den break In his voice, ne ended: ut
would be too cruel. too unjust, when we
love each other as we do
Ciaria sat up and looked at him gravely.
She took his great hand and stroked it.
And yet" She paused and looked
away into the glowing fire and seemed to
muse for a few moments. Then she let
her gaze fall again on the handsome.
radiant face beside her. Il feel as though
something awful were going to happen
tonight You know what / mean?
presentiment. that is ALL 1t has come to
me again and again all day long, and ]
have put 1t from me time after time.
supposing there should be a fire. like that
in Paris, when nearly all the noblest there
were burned, Or, supposing there should
be dynamite explo-
What nonsense are you talking. lit
tie woman? Supposing there should be a
dynamite explosion, or supposing the
world should come to an end. You arc
nervous and oyerexcited. Come, pull
yourself together, and throw off this NOR
bid fear of something which is only a
chimera, an absolutely groundless fancy
of your foolish little brain"
Claria smiled.
'Supposng," she said again, that ]
should suddenly lose my memory in the
very middle of the sonata and break
down, You know, i have had the in
fuenza,''
I'VE shall have TO start for the theater
in about twenty minutes
DO not let US arrive too soon. Hans. /
always get nervous if l have to wait too
long after my arrival / am to appear
exactly at 1880 and 1 should like to get
there as to go straight on the stage
after l have thrown my wraps aside"
A gentIe-faced woman, with silvery
hair just then came into the room from
the one beyond.
Il am quite ready she said. 1--WE
shall have to start soon, for it viii not
do TO keep royalty waiting. oh, l have
forgotten my smelling salts
And she disappeared again.
Claria stood up.
She-was very tall. with 1.-the willowy
figure. and when she was at Hans Brett
side it was difficult to say which was the
taller
Then. Claria,'' he said. suddenly and
passionately, drawing her again to him
''you are sure that nothing. nothing
nothing will ever come between us-no,
even a grand duke?''
Claria raised her eyes and looked long
and gravely into his
You may trust me- Hans Nothing
will ever come between us, ever-excepi
death"
My darIing,'
She suddenly twisted herself out of his
arms and crossed the room swiftly tt
where her violin lay. and took it up.
II have a fancy to play the sonata
through just once more before we start
Hans 1t will give me courage. and-no
IL VIII not tire me at all. 1 will play II
for you alone-for your very own self"
She tuned the instrument a little. Her
moSher came into the room again and sal
down. looking inquiringly at the doctor a: