The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-10

waited. He sat near the statue for
some time, when he rose to his feet
and walking through the alleys, hold
ing his hat in his hand, he thought of
the numerous beautiful and fascinat-
ing women buried in the graves about
him. Starzev felt like crying out that
his soul was now thirsting for love at
any. cost-and soon the marble stones
somehow seemed to assume the forms
of living beings, modestly hiding in the
shade of the trees.
Suddenly the moon disappeared be-
hind the clouds, and all was plunged
into darkness. StarZey worked hard
to find the way out, and when he
reached his carriage it was about 2
o'clock in the morning.
II.
On the next day Starzev directed his
steps to the Turkins to propose to
Catherine. But this proved impossi-
BILE, as she was in her room dressing
her hair. She was preparing to go
to ball.
StraZev had to wait long in the din
ing room and listen to her fathers
jokes and anecdotes, which bored and
irritated him painfully. After a sleep
less night, he now felt as though in
toxicated with something sweet and
pleasant. He waited for Catherine
with bated breath. Finally, when she
appeared, charming and graceful, In
her evening dress, StraZev was so over
joyed that he could not utter word
he only gazed at her and laughed.
'It is so late already she remarked,
looking at the clock and she babe him
ood-night." But Starzev followed
her, saying that it was time for him
to go home, as patients were waiting
for him there. "The club is on my
way-may I take you over there in my
carriage?" he asked timidly.
VERY WE'LL" consented Catherine.
1t was dreary, rainy night Cath
crime and the doctor boarded the car
riage and started off to the club.
81 was at the cemetery last night"
began Starzev. ut wasn't at all kind
of you to"
Were you really there?'
"Of course / was there, and waited
till o'clock in the morning. suf-
fered-"
1T serves you right-you may suffer
if you can't understand a joke"
Satisfied that she played such fine
trick on the doctor, and that she was
loved so passionately, Catherine burst
into laughter, and suddenly screamed
with fright as the horses made a sharp
turn. into the gates of the club. When
Catherine leaned slightly toward Star
zey, he clasped his arms around her
waist and kissed her on the lips and on
the chin, and then held her in frnler
grasp.
'.Enough!" said Catherine dryly.
A moment later she was out of the
carriage StarZev hurried home, but
returned within an hour. Dressed in
a hired frock and coat and a white tie
which was forever getting the best of
his collar, he sat in the club at mid
night and spoke to Catherine with all
the fiery passion he could muster. "Oh,
how little they know who never loved!
It seems to me that no one has ever
properly described love-it is, indeed,
impossible to describe the gentle, joy
Gus sweet, yet often painful feeling,
but he who has experienced it will not
venture to describe it. But what is
the use OF superfluous eloquence! My
love is linlitless-I beg, I implore you,"
he exclaimed, "be my wife!"
"Mr. StarZev," said Catherine, after
a brief pause, a very serious express
sion on her face-"Mr. StarzeY, 1 am
very thankful to you for the honor; I
respect you" She rose and resumed
standing, "but you must pardon me,
cannot be your wife. Let US speak Sc
riously. Mr.. Strazev you know that
love art above all else in life; / love,
L adore music, L nave devoted my lie
to it. I want to be an artist. I want
fame, triumph, and you would like
me to live in this provincial town, to
continue this empty, useless life which
has become unbearable to me. To be
your wife-oh, no, I beg your pardon.
One should always strive to attain the
highest and most brilliant goal, while
married life would only bind me for
ever. Mr.. Starzey you are kind, no
BILE, sensible man, you are better than
any one I know y" Tears gather
ed in her eyes. IT sympathize with
you, but you understand me;
I cannot" And in order not to burst
into tears, she turned and walked away
from him.
Starzev's heart was beating fast. On
leaving the club he first of all tore off
and flung away the cravat, which was
choking him. He felt ashamed, because
his self-respect had thus been humilia-
ted; he did not expect rejection, and he
could not believe that all his dreams and
torments, and hopes led up to so RI
diculous an ending. And he was so
sorry for his wasted love that he felt
like crying.
For three days he could do nothing
he could not eat or sleep-but when
he learned that Catherine had gone to