The Opelousas courier., 1901-11-02

of one, than without any at oil. 1t Is
more natural to exist with a heart
and consequently it is more graceful"
Il am doomed to ungainliness, then,
though / will fling the rest after the
first part and live q life of unnatural,
inartistic, n~ightHarish ugliness. Pity
my fate! If only the sweet thief who
has stolen my heart would give 1t back
to me-with her OWL think I could
manage to make myself satisfied with
my existence"
He was looking at the curtain. The
curtain became agitated and swayed
to and fro.
"Well." said the sister champion. II
think you are too greedy. Two hearts
belonging to person Is as unnatur.
al as no heart"
What shall I do? Persuade the
thief to exchange the booty and share
it?"
"That would be best, I think" she
said. laughing, and looking in his eyes.
He flushed and stared at the now
motionless curtain. Then he looked
back at her questioningly. The young
dame nodded her fair head slightly,
and picked up a piece Of needlework
lying on O work basket. A light flashed
into his eyes. He put the cup and
saucer he had been holding In his
hands down ON the tray and half rose
from his chair. The lady motioned
him to sit down.
"Well, hearts are artful things often.
them is %artless," she said. "Let US
be sensible" "
"Are We yer sensibleT he said
stupidity.
II don't know. I wonder IL we are
most sensible when we are most
senseless? They say insane people
always fancy themselves "a and
others insane. How queer If all the
lunatics are really sensible and all the
sensible world (as we think ourselves)
insane! Isn't it q gruesome idea? See
what comes Of speaking Of impossible.
ties!"
"Are you sure we have been talking
Of impossibilities?" he inquired anxi-
ously.
what is an imposslbilty-a future
certainty"
81 hope" said he.
81 am not perfectly sure. Who can
be? But I think that - q right defin-
ition."
Still he looked at the curtain (whose
strange inequalities were continually
and slowly shifting over it's velvet sur
face) and the sister said quickly:
Dear me! I have forgotten to give
Davis a most important order. Please
pardon me for one moment"
The agitation Of the curtain amount
ed almost to a distinct shuddering
among It's folds. Then a stiff stiffness
ensued. The sister chaperene was
gone.
He walked over to the curtain.
evil you take my love and give me
yours?" he said softly.
The curtain futtered and instantly
drew itself tightly In a %crouching hu-
man shape.
Forgive me! Love that can laugh
at locks sees through a curtain. I
love you, darling. VIII you take my
love for yoursT
The curtain did not move.
"Do answer, my love! If it is yes
lift the curtain; if 1t Is no. let 1t drop
as 1t was before"
A second or two and then three
white fingers lifted a corner Of the
velvet.
He dragged the curtain aside and
lifted up a little kneeling figure with
It's hands pressed over its face.
my beautiful one!" he said, clasp
ing her to him. "What made you hide
thereT"
81 don't know" said a soft, mufied
voice.
II saw you at the window. did I
not, lover"
eyes"
ssThen why"
The hands came down and a pretty.
flushed, childish round face looked up,
defiantly shy In its impetuous bold
ness.
"Why. Annie laughed at me for
blushing when I saw you In the street.
and I said I wouldn't see you. I
couldn't get out, and SO I hid behind
the curtain"
"But you love me. Say you love
me-"
II never say what I am hidden to
say" And her head went down again.
"How long is a moment?" asked the
opening the door.
"As short as joy" he said happily
Wayerley Magazine.