The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-02

| waves of the dreamy waltz. Handshak
! ings became firmer, glances holder. an,
! in response to half-uttered questions an,
! implorings, soft deep signs were heaved
Arthur seated himself beside Wanda o,
the divan under the spreading palm, and
regarding her steadfastly, said:
-Pana Wanda. As We were dancing
thought with what pleasure would carr!
I you far, far away-as far as possible from
the noisy crowG-how / would kneel be
fore my pure. bright angel and pray fol
ever-how l would beg you
You would beg me?'' sch repeated
For what?'
Arthur lowered his eyes and re piled, ii
a less resolute tone:
l would beg you to consent to be mine
forever, that l might be your servant
your slave, that every wish of yours shall
be as law TO me. that your viii be my
WIN
He was again carried away by his owr
words; he spoke hotly; his eyes flashed
fire
And if l were TO ask you to do some.
thing dishonest" she asked calmly
Something dishonest repeated Ar
thur. 1T is all the same. For you. for a
single smile of your lips, for a single
glance of your heavenly eyes, 1 am ready
to commit any crime,'
\ smile passed over Vanda's lips, and
her face assumed a mournfuI expression
''All this is impossible. she said. 1T is
not true, If you are an honest man you
could not commit a crime, nor could YOU
love woman who would incite you to
evil"
Arthur smiled.
''Of course l meant it allegorically. l
am sure that you are the very soul OF
goodness. am ready to swear that this is
true"
How so? Until now We have never
spoken seriously TO each other How can
you tell what l think and what 1 am %
Arthur burst into laughter.
How can l tell? 1t is sufficient for me
70 look into your eyes. Besides, even If
you were not kind, it would be immaterial
TO me. We men do rot argue with our
hearts entire. When we are entangled
with charms we do not ask who has en-
tangled us. What for? We love. we
thirst for conquest, and if We meet OBJ
stacles, we are ready to challenge heaven
and earth
Wanda listened to his words. and her
eyes wandered about the hall as If search
ing for someone Suddenly she started
Opposite her sat Kasimir, gazing at her
His eyes were filled with melancholy ten
derness. 1t seemed to her that he was
blessing her with this look. wishing her
happiness. that if he could he would have
given her all that is best on earth. but
that he felt so sad, so hopelessly sad
without her
Her heart began TO beat painfully fast;
she pressed her hands to her bosom, sat
for few minutes in silence, then she rose,
and not lifting her eyes from Kasimir,
said:
Il beg your pardon, Pan Arthur. Now
know that your love for me is not the
kind want. nor do l love you. We are
not for each other. If L have wronged
you in any way, forgive NETT was unin-
territorial"
And without looking at him she walked
off slowly, leaving him alone. and her
hands still pressed TO her heart, she
paused before kasimir. II z "a
Pan Kasimir," she began with trem-
bling lips, my heart has already told me
whom L love and who loves me-now 1
know
She sat down near him. agitated. and
tears gathered in her eyes. Both were
silent. Finally he stretched out his hand
and said with an effort:- r,L
~ cOnyra a 10 Cod
you the happiness you deserve and the
happiness / wish you
She flushed and said in low tone with
out taking his outstretched hand:
Don't make believe that you do not
me- / have rejected Pan Ar
thur, and-and have come here as your
glance has shown me how sincere feelings
look
She REDEEMED still more. lowered her
head, and said, almost inaudiby:
Il have come here to tell you that love
you, Kasimir.
She started back, frightened by her own
words. Breathing heavily, their heads
lowered, they kept silence
What thoughts crowded these two young
heads. Bright and gloomy, cheerful and
sad, thoughts full OF hope. and thoughts
full of doubt. JOY flashed up in Kasimirs
yes for moment. but il was soon re-
placed by a sense of despair which pres
entity turned into bitter irony-and at
ength the pale face of the young man as
;umed an expression of endless gratitude
ana designations to fate
"Dou you know. Wanda. what a future
s awaiting me-" he said calmly. Il have
10 right to anything. Death hangs over
ny head. or perhaps prolonged suffering.
which is worse than death. / consider
myself an honest man. / would have been
, criminal If | were 10 take advantage of
-our kindness of heart, if ! consented TO
,hain your youth to-a walking corpse.
Yes Wanda, even If I did love you as 1t
seemed to you. IL my heart We're torn
lsunder from pain, even then I would re-
use your sacrifice. because first OF all
zen must be honest. But. my dear child.
II do not love you. l love another. or
'ather. I am not capable of love. Life has
hardened me. Even if were well. I would
Tot accept the treasure your childish
lands offer me 50 carelessly. Let us for
yet this conversation; let us remain
friends as before. a insure that you Will
meet the heart worthy Of you; seek and
sk advice of your heart alone Now
areweH, l must so. Good night. Van
La
|'Kasimir, We cannot part this way.
he asid. with tears IN her voice. i IN
is not the time nor is
his the place for such a conversation /
,ut YOU must come up TO our house TO-
morrow. Come tomorrow. at three !
clock"
Kasimir stood before her Gulvering, agi (
ated by the ralIor Of her face. BY The |