The Southern herald., 1898-02-25

/. DELILAH !
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BY HANNA KRYSTOFF. s
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NA "SNNAuS JouIutA
y And here she sat alone at ten
o'clock in the evening in the drearv
hotel parlor, whose bare walls and shah
by furniture had become SO detestable.
She might have gone with him. But
no. she would never enter that hall
again, She had sworn il.
Yet she knew her husbands whole
repertoire by heart, knew the precise
bar in his Serenade when he would clcse
his eyes, the passage in his scherzo
when he would toss back his hair so
gracefully. How studied and unnatural
II all seemed. she faneied 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
applaudcd, 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
ure he had afforded them, and throng
around him to the very door of the car
rlage.
1t was so yesterday, and the day be-
fore, and every day. Nine. Andre want
ed to cry, especially when she thought
of her adventure yesterday, when a
crowd Of feminine worshipers sep
arated her from her husband, and he,
evidently desiring to escape from en-
thusiasm which had become annoying,
in the belief that his young wife sat be-
side 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 was,
the enthralling power of his glance,
and, above all, his superb hair,
Yes, his undeniably magnificent locks
seemed to please these enthusiasts more
than anything else, more even than his
skill as an artist.
And the notes he received! She had
Just read one; of course the writer
begged for a lock of his hair, and he
would probably give it to her,
She began mentally TO enumcrate his
attractions. The stern expression Of
her delicate features softened tender
light stole into her brown eyes. Then,
rising hurriedly, she paced up and down
the room several times, and her pretty
face assumed a very resolue expression.
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 teagown, drew the
pins from her hair, and let it 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 closed, and Andre
moved forward on tiptoe.
"Richard is it you?" asked a voice
from the armchair.
"Ah, sweetheart, are you still awake?
That is very kind in you" He kissed
her. ut has been such an evening,
ELY, such an evcning!'
lie took his seat at his young wife's
side.
"Ah, if you would only come with me
again, Elly!" he said as he lighted a
cigarette. 'The enthusiasm, the ap-
plause, the flowers! You know do not
set any undue value on such things, but
it ought to make you very proud TO see
your husband so much applaudcd."
"But It doesn't she answered, with a
somewhat forced laugh. ITO tell the
truth, it makes me feel as If Iwere quite
too insignificant. Besides, dearest, |
love in you less the artist than the hus-
band of my foolish heart and you are
more that at home than in the concert
hall"
"You are right; here | am man, here
| may be- and, therefore, you see"
He gave her hasty kiss, then slipped
out of his dress coat into comfortable
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 beside him, and
her fingers played at times with his
curls. He was speaking of his pro-
gramme for the next concert. I'VE must
continue our journey so very soon' ELY
| want to drain the cup of success to the
dregs: one more day like to-day and
OH obi Ellyl" he suddenly exclaimed,
rather Grossly, what are you doing?
You have certainly pulled out some OF
my 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 a lock OF
your hair?"
"And because I have kept my word
YOU want to pull out hairs enough, one
bv one. to make lock? You are GER
tainly one of the most aKectionate
wives that can be imagined"
"Oh. no! If really pulled it little
# was purely accidental; perhaps l
moved my hand rather quickly, because
7 was vexed by the thought that you
had not kept your promise. Yes tha'
was it,"
AT that time, sweetheart, there was
no travelling. 1 was with you, with all
NV hair. So you needed no memento'
SAIl the same, you didn't keep your
.i.o ond 7 don't like it bit, es-