The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-06-30
Last Letters - -
y of Bashkntseff.

NAH4hatN hhu talented young woman NAic0
appeared several years ago, attracted wide
attention. She was genius In many ways
"a painter, a musician, a writer and a
woman Of the most intense emotion
She frequently wrote anonymous letters
10 the famous men OF the literary world,
and the charm atd brilliancy Of the eplstes
generally resulted In correspondence COW
ering long periods The letters which she
wrote Guy De Maupassant and his replies
to them are the most interesting phase OF
her last Confessions" as the following
extracts show These letters are copy.
righted by Frederick A. stokes company;
~
Marie writes 20 the novelist as follows;
"Monsleur-I read you almost with de.
light You adore the truths OF nature, AID
Ind there really great poetry, while yet
stirring US by details OF sentiment so pro-
foundly human that we recognize ourselves
in them and love you with an egotstlcal
love. That is a phrase, Is it9 BE indul-
gent: IL Il sincere at bottom, IL is evident
that ! should like 70 say to you exquisite
and striking things. But that Is very dn-
fcult on the spur Of the moment | regret
Il the more that you are remarkable enough
for one 70 dream quite romantically OF be.
coming the conGdante Of your ane spirit,
II indeed your spirit Is beautiful
wow, mark me well: l shall remain
always unknown flor good ana | do not
even wish TO see you; your head might
displease me, who knowsY / only know
that you are yonEg ana thar you are NOT
married, two essential points. But I warn
you tnat ! am charming; this sweet
thought win encourage you to repiy TO me.
IL seems 70 me thar n were a man
should not desire even eplstolary commuul-
cation with a slovenly old English woman.
whatever might be Thought by
'MIss Hastings"
r G d. Bnreau &c Ia Madeleine.
Manpassant replied from Cannes;
Madame NY letter assuredly viii not
do what Won eXpcct / wish at the outset
TO thank you Tor your Kindness toward
me and your compliments. Then let MS talk
lihe reasonable people.
you ask 20 be my conhddutoY Rg
what rlght2 / do not know YOU az nh
why shonld ] say ia you-au pukqowu per.
SON whose mind inciinations and so on.
may not accord with my intellectual tenn
p.ramnnt what | might say vcrbally, IN
Intimacy. 10 fhc women who are my
frIends2 Would Flt that he The act ~ an
lmheclle OF an ineonstant friend
what can mystery add 10 the charm
~ relationship by ettcrsJ
Pardon me. madame Tor these reason.
lnEs of man more practical than poet
lcal and believe me your grateful and
devoted. Guy ne Maupassant
Excuse the ernsures In my letter.
can NOT write without making them. aud
! have not time to recopy."
-
In reply Marie wrote;
"Your letter Sir does not surprise me.
should not expect what you seem to sup
pose But I did not at 0rst ask 70 10
your conhdaute-that would be a little too
silly: ana II yon have time to re-read
my letter Won win see that YOU have not
tome tbat employod.
= .weu If mat does not amuse
Won II Is because none OF your correspond
ents has been able to interest you. that
Is MI. ana if l no more than the others
have been able 80 strike the right note, !
am too sensible TO bear you a crudge.
"No more than sixty?
MY intellectual temperament can NOT
suit you. You would be very hard TO
please. In fact. seem To thipk TINT J
know you chat Is the effect novclists pro.