The times., 1898-01-23
BkLLAH
sFm sa.8


turs had becanls - aefesf4nie She
snleht have zune u8th hirn. Hag b.
fhs would never enter that hsli akain'
s'ha Rad svern "a.
Yet she hprH her husband " ioie
repertoire by heart: knew the precise
bar in his serenade when he would
close his eyes. the passage in his
seherzo when he would toss back bis
hair so gracefully. How studied and
unnatural 1t all seemed. She fancied
she could see him now. bowling with a
faint smile, as though oppressed by
the applause which thundered around
him.
Oh, and how wildly the, audiences
here applauded, especially the women.
Now they Were pressing forward TO the
stage to shake hands with him. They
would wait for him at the exit of the
hall to thank him for the great pleas
ufe he had afforded them, and thrOnS
around him to the very door Of the car
riage.
1t was so yesterday, and the day be-
fore, and every day. Mime. Andre want
ed to cry, especially when she thought
of her adventure yesterday. when a
crowd Of feminine worshipers separat-
ed her from her husband and he evil
IDENTIFY desiring 70 escape from enthusi-
asm which had become annoying, in the
belief that his young wife sat beside
him, had driven off without her. There
she had stood, and was forced to hear
these women rave about the gifted
man" how handsome he vas. the en-
thralling power OF his glance, and,
above all, his superb hair.
Yes, his undenisbIy magnificent locks
seemed to please these enthusiasts
more than anything-more even than
his skill as an artist.
And the notes he received She had
just read one; of course the writer peg
ged for lock of his hair and he would
probably give it TO her.
TIE paper fell from her treE.Ltifsg
hands. Her slender fingers cienched
convuisively, and vita compressed lips
she sank back into her chair. oh, their
fla tcI les and cajoiery " juld make him
a recreant, recreant to her and to his
art! Richard was still loyal, he still
loved her. But, like every artist, ne
was vain. Perhaps he was more SO
than many others because he had more
reason to be; yes, of course he had. far
more reason.
She began mentally to enumerate his
attractions. The stern expression Of
her delicate features softened, a tender
hight stole into her brown eyes. Then,
rising hurriedIy, she paced up and down
the room several times. and her pretty
face assumed very resofute express
sion.
Surely, he would come soon. her
Richard, her beloved husband. How
had she lived so long without him? 1t
had grown very late. She slipped on
an elegant maize silk teag01yn, drew
the pins from her hair. and let il fall
in curling locks around her shoulders.
Then she turned down the lamp. leaned
back in the armchair and shut her
eyes, as if asleep, and waited for him.
She soon heard his step. the door of
the room was thrown open; but on the
threshold the tall figure paused, the
door was cautiously opened, and Andre
moved forward on tiptoe.
Richard, is it you?" asked voice
from the armchair.
'tAh, sweetheart, are you still awake?
That is very kind III you" He kissed
her ''It has been such an evening,
ELY. such an evening"
Removing his long cloak he turned
up the light. The clear glow fell upon
his handsome figure. The regularity of
the pale features were animated by the
sparkle of the dark eyes, now giittering
with joyous excitement. But the most
remarkable thing about his appearance
was the long, black hair, which fell in
soft, waving locks nearly to the should
ers, giving a striking character to the
mans whole person.
He took his seat at his young wife's
side.
"Ah, if you would only come with me
again, ELY" he said, as he lighted 8
cigarette. THE enthusiasm, the ap-
plause, the flowers, You know I do
but it ought to make you very proud
to see your husband so much applaud
ed"
But it doesn't" she answered, with
a somewhat forced laugh. ITO tell the
truth, IT makes me feel as if I were
quite too insignificant Besides, dear
est, love in you less the artist than the
husband of my foolish heart, and you
are more that at home than in the con-
cert hall"
You are right: here I am a man,
here 1 may be and, therefore, you see
He gave her hasty kiss. then Slip
ped out of his dress coat into COM
Portable lounging Jacket, and threw
himself down on the sofa, while Ely
lighted the lamp under the tea kettle.
For a time they chatted gayly together.
Richard had stretched himself out at
full length. Ely sat at the table be-
side him, and her fingers played at
times with his curls. He was speaking
of his program for the next concert.
I'VE must continue our Journey so very
soon, ELY. I want to drain the cup of
success TO the dregs: one more day like
today and-oh. oh, Ely" he suddenly
exclaimed. rather Grossly. what are
you doing? You have certainly pulled
out some of nv hair
why, my dear husband -
Yes, you have, See, there are at
least a dozen
He raised his head and looked at her
reproachfully.
why, Ely he said. what is the
matter with you?"
"Oh. nothing. Richard" she replied.
smiling. as she endeavored to hide the
strange excitement which had taken
possession of her. But perhaps you
have forgotten that. during our en-
gagement,. you promised me lock of
your hair?'
And because I haven't kept my
word you want to pull out hairs
enough, one by one. TO make a lock?
You are certainly one of the most af-
fectionate wives that can be imagin-
edI"
'-Oh, no. If / really pulled it little
II wis puieiy acclueHtdt,- perhaps
moved my hand rather quickly, be-
cause I was vexed by the thought that
you had not kept your promise. Yes,
that was it,
AT that time, sweetheart, there was
no travelling. 1 was with you, with
all my hair. So you needed no memen-
to-
''All the same, you didn't keep your
promise, and / don't like it bit, es-
pecially as you have been kinder to to-
tai strangers. Let me cut off the lock
now please! May II"