The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-09-02

III ri great ult spdibiNu 'h Sh'
e2l sluI open hearth. A group OF
iauIes and gentlemen was gathered
around Madame Ada 0kolicsanyi the
mistress OF the house, discussing the
subject OF relncarnatiOn.
Madame Ada Okolicsanyi, the hand
soonest OF them all, lay nonchalantly
back in her easy chair She was
dressed in q beautiful soft white ma
terial, and had large, dreamy, nut
brown eyes. In her dark hair some
freshly gathered lilies OF the valley
nestled timidly.
We'll, who will tell Us a story to
convince us allT asked Countess KOl-
la, holding her tiny nez-retrousse still
higher in the air than was its wont.
II don't believe in reincarnatlOn,"
said poet. at is impossible that one
should eyer-not even once during a
llfetime-remember ones pre-cxis-
tence-that far away past"
"Why notT' yentured the fashion
able critic. III one knew to what end
one was born again, life would cease
to be trial. There would be absolute
ly no sense in the second life, and IL
would be nearly impossible to fail"
There you are wrong" interrupted
the low, even voice of Adam Dorosz-
lay. Till now he had remained silent
In his corner and only listened to the
various opinions OF the company. You
are wrong" he repeated. Just the
fact that one remembers, that i'm ones
heart OF hearts there always exists a
longing for all that was sweet ana de-
licious in ones former cxistcnce-just
that makes men miserable"
What a curious ideaw said one OF
the ladies.
Ada Okolicsanyi laughed hystercal-
Iy.
Are you one OF those who remem-
berw she asked sarcastically.
He looked at her; he gazcd into the
fathomless depths Of her dreamy eyes.
and let his glance rest for moment
on the beauty of her rich chestnut
hair.
YES" he answered after pause.
81 had an experience which 1 shall
never forget"
III q de Taplombp'. cried the little
Countess, Struggling her shoulders.
'He sits in his corner all the after
noon like an old grumbling bear, and
now he ridicules us. But mind, SIR"
she added, turning TO him with bright
smile, "if you wish 10 be forgiven for
your reprehensible conduct, it shall
only be on one condition; you must tell
ms that interesting experience"
4, Adam DoroszIay moved back into the
shadow somewhat frightened.
This is pure cruelty" said he, hest
tating. ",Ye have heard SO many
thrilling tales on this subject to-day
that mine would surely prove n fail
ure."
"Ah, you only want to get out OF il!
But that won't do. We have suffered
enough before now because OF your
heartless cynicism; now il is our turn
TO make you suffer. Ada, dear" con
tinued she, turning to the lady OF the
house, do make him tell us that
storyp
please begin it," said Ada. but her
voice sounded cold and hard.
Must ii beY' ne asked playfully.
"Well, be II so, then. Only, / warn
you, Countess Rolla, that my story will
be anything but interesting"
He left the place where he had been
sitting, and leaned with his back
against the mantelpicce.
The flames threw small. fickering
lights upon the foreign weapons hang
ing about upon the walls; the netykes
OF ivory, the sumurai swords. the kris
from Malay and the Scotch claymorcs
that had been brought home by Ada's
husband from his various travels
abroad.
"A thousand years ago." began Adam
DOroszlay, Everything was different
from what il is nowadays. The roads
had not been superseded by the rail
ways; and the air was not dirty from
the breathing OF flying giants. Thus
it happened that l, knight. found
myself one day sitting upon the back
OF q dark chestnut mare. at the en-
trance Of white marble castle, the
many towers of which reached above
the top Of the gigantic cryptomcrlas,
THE great portculls was fastened;
the drawbridge which had TO be LEI
down from the inside was drawn up
and the two marble lions near the gate
seemed to have been petri1ed just in
the act Of springing.
The people OF these days very sell
dom went TO pay each other n visit
and l could give no other sign of~ my
arrival. so 1 tuned my harp and begar
10 play and sing. The notes of my
song went flying to the pointed tower,
like so many white doves: and as II by
some magic the iron gate rose and tn,
sliding bridge OF the entrance. studde,
with silver nails. fell down before me.
II passed through three or four court
yards; in each OF them fountain wa
throwing its silvery stream into th
air; then turned 10 the left and cam
in view Of large staircase. re
leased the bride of my horse an,
raised the visor Of ny helmet. An
this was what saw:
"On the floor In the centre OF n,
large open hall n beautiful queen wa
sitting amIist her ladies In waltin,
She had dress OF soft. pure. clinf
ing material that looked dazzling whit
in the sunshine. aud In her dark. silk