Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-07
WHITE LILAC.

Paris in May, when the lilacs are In
bloom! Brightness, gayety, sunshine and
the fragrant scent of the lilacs everywhere!
What place is not beautiful in the first
flush of summer But more especially so
is the gay French capital! Life is not so
complex to these Gallo people. They take
the good things of the present, forgetting
the sorrow of yesterday. Paul Warning
was conscious of keen pleasure in his hol-
iday as he sat lazily turning a cigar be-
tween his fingers and looking out on the
sunny courtyard of the hotel.
His room was in the annex, and very
high up, selected with an eye to economy.
But what does poverty matter when one
is only % and life still stretches out in an
endless vista with all it's glorious POSSIBLE
still faith in himself.
"There she is againr'
The exclamation came involuntarily
from his lips as the windows of a room on
the first floor of the hotel were thrown
open and a woman appeared. Young and
with loneliness of that rare type which
seems almost too ethereal for this work.
aday world, she made a beautiful picture
as she stood framed in the woodwork Of
the window, with the blue silk curtains as
background. In her hands vas a big
spray Of white lilac, and as Paul looked.
down eagerly she raised her eyes and
swept a long, searching glance over the
windows opposite. Then for the space Of
a second her eyes met his and with an al
most imperceptible motion Of recognition
she turned away.
"Was 1t Intentionally" The vainest man
could not he quite certain, and, although
Paul waited patiently, there was no other
sign. Twice before he had seen her, and,
although unacknowledged, it was this
vague expectation that kept Paul dawdling
in his room.
"Pshaw, I am an idiot! Why should
she not look from her window II she wants
tor Still, I'll 60 out, which wise resolu-
ton he Immediately put into practice.
But he fingered for a moment near the
fountain, which was directly under the
fair unknown's window. Did she watch
for himS A tiny spray of lilac from an
unseen hand fell at his feet. For more
than an evening Paul sat in his room re-
gardless Of all engagements, but the our
tains opposite remained closed. "A CO.
quette, my fair little lady. Well, better
luck tomorrow"
"Mon ami, I" his chum D'Albert said to-
him, "what ia the matters You are quite,
as you express 1t yourself, 'glum.' Is it
indigestion or a line Of the new libretto'
that troubles your Debts sit lightly on
you, I know. and you have never been in
love. Be gay, my friend. A countryman.
of yours, A~nstruther, is coming to supper
in my studio"
Paul laughed lightly in answer to his
friends raillery, but ~vouchsafed no ex-
PLANTATION.
A momentary glimpse Of her the next
day; a slight motion Of a white hand
that was all. In the evening the windows
were open, and the curtains drawn far
back so that the whole of the lighted room
was revealed to Paul's eyes. 1t was empty,
but presently she came In, dressed in rich,
soft robes of satin and llmy lace. Almost
simultaneously the door leading from the
corridor opened, and q man entered, who
went straight up to the lady and began to
talk with much animation. Paul took
up his opera glasses. He was we'll built
and tall, with a bearing Of a soldier, but
his face bore the impress Of sensual indul-
gence. Presently he pressed a bell and
gave an order. In response to the conf
mand the servant returned with q leather
bound box, which he laid before the gen.
tleman.
The box was opened, and sparkling
gems flashed before Paul's eyes as they
were lifted from their velvet beds. Then
with q light laugh the man drew the girl
nearer to him and proceeded to unfasten
the pearl COLLAR which was round her
throat, replacing IL by q necklace Of dia-
monds. On the slender arms he fitted
bracelets and placed q o~uriously wrought
spray Of the same magnificent gems on
the golden hair. His hands fingered over
their task as IL he loved IL, and while the
girl stood immovable in an attitude Of
passive endurance Paul OWNED with quick
Intuition that she knew 1t was only to en-
hance the mans " pleasure In the pos.
session Of her that she was decked in these
rare jewels. Assneering expression passed
over the mans face, and he appeared to
utter some unkind words, for the golden
head dropped.
ssWhat is she to hims Dauehter2 No;
q girl would have thanked her father for
such Jewels. Wifep No, not that. God
help them Will women always sell them
selves for wealth."
Paul was waiting ut his window again
next morning, and presently, when the
window opened, he leaned forward to at
tract her attention. A moment later q
pair Of steadfast blue eyes met his in q
long, upward gaze. Yielding 70 an i'm.
pulse, he snatched up the tiny spray Of
lilac that had fallen a. his feet two daye