New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-10

You said something pleasant hope. ma
man"
Il was admlring you. ----r. You look so
young. so handsome. so vigorous. so strong"
He laughed. we'll pleased. There was sup
pressed excitement in his manner. 1 thought
I had learned to know him well.
L feel even younger than I lock. marnan."
he said. gayly. Il feel the fresh breath Of
spring. 1t has set my blood dancing through
my veins. They talk Of midsummer madness
what OF the wild restlessness OF spring? 1t has
infected me. I'm tired OF this place long 10
be afioat on the blue water. The desire 70 wan
der is upon me- Will you come.
He spoke TO Madam. but he looked al me. and
his eyes said what his tongue might not say. j
frightened What IL Madam understood
She already loved ne a daughter. What
more natural than that she might wish me to
become so in very truth? My future was her
one anxiety AS Philips wife that future would
be assured. 1t had surprised me that he had
not sought his mothers assistance in his suit.
and I had admired the delicacy shown in spar
her into his confidence now?
'Afoat in the Charlotte. Philip" asked
Madam. rs that what you mean? You wish
me to go-Or only Athena? The poor child needs
a change" She stared dreamiIy from the win
dow she spoke. looking almost asleep.
only Athena maman? Does that mean you
prefer being at homer
His musical voice was vibrant with eagerness
Again his eyes sought mine. They glowed with
triumph, and with a fire that turned cold
I tried to attend only to my embroidery. was
finishing the last lily. The others were hidden
beneath white tissue paper. tackled carefully over
al to keep them free from stain. This rustled
as involuntarily, moved little further from
Madam and her SON Attracted by the sound.
Madam turned her eyes from the window and
looked long at me. In their bright depths lay a
great tenderness and something more that I
did not understand.
Yes. she needs change. my Athena" she said.
and so do l. But I'll not go with you. Philip.
AS for Athena-why move so far away. dear
child? There's room for you and Philip both at
my side Move her chair. Philip. close beside
yours so that you both face me. Is the lily fin
ished yet, my chnd7 In a few moments? That
is we'll Put down your work moment and
lay your hands in my lap-so.''
1 obeyed in silence. but 1 trembled- A great
dread had come upon me- Was she fey? There
was inteIligence-an intelligence far deeper than
mine-in her worn features I saw new Mad
am. one had never known: the Madam who
had existed before illness had warped her brain
Dominated by his passion. Philip was blind to
this change. He saw and thought only Of me-
Now your hands. Philip" the quiet voice
commanded. place them beside Athena's. All.
how 1.-the and supple these brown fingers! Athe-
mas though so white. delicately fashioned.
strong-for woman's! But women are
weak always when compared with men"
AS We leaned. Philip and I. toward her. his
shoulder touched mine I shivered at the con-
tact yet dared not draw away. A sudden. even
If pleasant. excitement might cause Madanl's
hao fat TO-
troll my feeling Of repuIsion there might be a
scene He must not even suspect it. IN my
dread / forced myself 10 lean slightly against
him The effort drove the blood to my heart
I knew even my lips were paling. I kept my
eyes down I could not look in Madam's face
See how strangely my hands look Philip.
1 push them between yours and Athena'S! Very
ugly, very old. weak. incompetent-yet. dare
keep them there, 1 have lost everything even
my vanity" She laughed. such strange. little
laugh. then said, drOwsily. II viii sleep mo-
n.ent. but stay where you are. Talk II you like;
just a moments rest. and-then"-
Her voice died away. She slept.
The silence was broken only by the sweet
sounds from the world outside. the world OF
trees. and blossoms, and birds. floating in on
the warm breeze Of high noon 1 resumed my
work. embrodering diligently. II Madam slept
a few long moments the last stitch would be
placed in the lily.
The day was exceptionally warm. more Ike
midsummer than May. I wore one Of my thin
nest muslins OF the past summer IT'S hanging
sleeves-of lace-left my arms bare.
rs Il as cold as the marble Il resembles?'
u.urrnured Philip. My eyes burn. Athena: let
me cool them here"
Passing his right arm around my waist he
drew me closer to him. while with his left hand
he clasped my wrist. so that could not move.
and, so holding me. pressed bis face against
my upper arm and kept il there.
Madam stirred uneasily and moaned. then
slept more heavily than before The misery Of
discovery was yet spared me- In spite Of the
1.-the fingers girdlng my left wrist the hand
still steadied my work Ny other free: its
fingers piled the needle more swiftly than be-
fore. Philips face branded my arm like hot
iron. a sccurge OF shame. Yet I must endure.
confusion. might wake TO aer death Ny heart
was icy with scorn OF the man who could
insult in his mothers presence.
My darling" he said. gently. lifting his face
at last and looking at me beseechingly. Ny
pearl OF great pricei My pure white lily, Let
me read your thoughts in your beautiful eyes.
Let me learn from them II you really at
rest IN my armst Look ID. sweetheart Let
me make sure that you have learned 70 Love
me-"
The lily neared perfection the needle flashed
IN and out
Athena the beautiful voice nlurnured.
Athena For just one moment raise those sweet
eyes to uinei can wait no ionssr'-r am not