New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-23
ODE Weakness of Nine. de BONN.
BY ANNETTE FURNEss.

yet begun-the patients who would in a few weeks
rise early and in all soemnity drink their nauseat
ing draughtS 20 the accompaniment Of the band
and exchange remarks with their ueighbors on The
respective merits Of baths OF sprude or rotherIye
were still in London busy in the pursuits Of pleas
ure Here and there few English people
whose mode of life entirely governed by the
weakness and frailty Of their hearts. and who ap-
peared annually with unvarying regularity at the
opening OF the ba tbs.
Among these was Captain Clare. he had come
for many years at the beginning OF MAY AT first
he had rebeIIed bitterly against his fate. but had
uttered not one word OF complaint; had thought
enviously OF his friends at home, and mentally
each day he had walked down St James's-st.,
entered his club. and taken UP his favorite seat
by the window to watch the never ceasins stream
o. humanity flow past.
Gradually he had become more resigned. had
grumbled a great deal. but sometimes he forgot
his daily imaginary walk and watched instead.
with q certain amount Of tolerant interest, the
life lived around MIN And last he had even
learned TO find passive pleasure in what he al
ways described as his six weeks Punishment Even
afflicted heart is able to respond on occasions
to the joyful call OF spring and Captain Clare
walked in the gardens and noted the budding OF
the flowers and the tender green OF the young
leaves there were moments when he forgot that the
doors OF many hopes and ambitions were relent-
lessly closed and felt instead the eager antcipa-
tons OF his youth; but at night when he sat on
his balcony in the deepening twilight and listened
to the song Of the nlghtngales in the woods. he
always remembered, and sometimes he in sud
denly and closed the windows 70 silence the
thoughts that the little songsters never failed 10
arouse.
When the chestnuts that grew behind the band
stand the terrace bursting into blossom.
and the Iaburnum and lilac began show their
Ty Jo1l rt go Gr sT5s+ $500 uA ~
aa5As1 SSpSa9 Cf9 1hs aT7e tor6 s rs
ing out OF their saucers as they Listened 70 the
outrage upon his susceptibiHtes he felt at peace
with all the world, for his necessities had
he Vsito s2 at the hos oed him but scany
food for thought they were the usual types always
OF them appearing, like himself. with unvarytng
noted the absence OF few familiar faces
This year new arrival created little diversion
young. If age be matter entirely OF comparisons;
she possessed an unconscious ar OF dignity and
graceful which is inborn and can never be
o 81 I'VE. She came alone save for her Little boy
a widow. perhaps poor young thing" remarked
as they watched her cross tn. han with the boy
Perhaps" said the other. stopping for moment
at all events" she added: her face is very hard
That may Be to keep the cracks from breaking
heals sorrow 70 talk about It; and besides" She
added, naIvely. 7 an anxious 20 know Il she really
Is q widow or not; you never be quite sure
But Nina de BONN, FOR such the ladies' had dis
tunides OF conhdence. At dinner her place was va
cant; at $50 o'clock, the ladies' were sleepilY
hall. She entered, and looking neither 70 right
Nor Nnx ls Takeq up me STATS %tn g.ea' asniy
the ladies could constrain their curiosity no
f S p aq one a fppS9 bp w @ ~ sas rest
IT is fine evening" she began, with nervous
Nv Very 9s syeatas MADAM an that funCtiOnay 70.
His interrogator quickly clutched the straw he
had unconsciously thrown her.
Very cold. indeed These nights are treacherouH
be warned; she can hardly understand the risk
wander in the gardens IN the evening
"AchP' exclaimed the lady. and at once returned
ing the hall porter TO Wo3eF WI Why h She 3 sud-
denly forgotten her errand-
STAINED sos s, 49s o1d 81 that Is go2G enough for Us
yes. and 70 go out every evening and leave that
chiId slo1el He misht even get up and play with
the ire We may even be burned alive said an
other. holding up her hands n holy horror at the
From that day. Nine. de Bonin's every. move
OF the enemies she had uncoEsctously created. and
door garments she left the hotel sach evening.
custom Of cspta1 ciaTs, in spite Of The .tTiot Or
ders OF his doctor to the contrary smoke Gig
Smoke p soituds and geaeraly strdlls6 around
walked up little path among the trees whic6 led
abruptly to an open space entirely encircled by
a few minutes; he was. though almost unconscious
Of the act an ardent lover Of nature and there
deep Stiffness here and there broksn by the es4
air and the pleasant OF solitude failed
soothe him He seldom encountered living
fore with great surprise that. entering his
bench under the trees She was evidently deep n
thought and aware OF his presence He remained
teti.1 r. bf5 6Iv1 na rri,,7Is~ hsSTt Ts5 bsa- IN
vaded, walked away without being aware OF his IN
Nine de BONN entered Captain Glare looked at her
cu-ousIy as she walked past him in her usual com
ing he again found to his annoyance that his little
Rs cq hf9 yea dreoted his foostsps TIE sans
and lack OF interest were his only excuse for ply
ing upon the movements Of Nine de Bonin-
P an sesfv anSyzed the facts Of tie case Ths
lady was always absent from table d'hote dinner;
s y9o1s Si1ed A. the KTrhaus: but % which fact
he alone was aware she spent a considerable part
OF her absence in silent and lonely meditation IN
nosnv silent excuses TO himself for doing so. de-
cided to dine at the Kurhaus also. II was ys: too
cold dine outside on the terrace and ne ordered
table inside He found the room empty. all the
mot many people dining here Yet. Francois.
season : no. s ,tn 70 S;7a bara f5fs ssssor
STR he added in what he intended to be a very
All" replied Captain Clare; n little zoo chilly
perhaps FOR people to venture out in the evening
yes. SIR" remarked the waiter and CAPTAIN
Glare continued his lonely meal in silence, After
dinner he walked through the deserted gardens
his way to the hotel For the moment he had for
gotten his curiosity. OF which he already half
ashamed and II only when he became con-
scious OF the scent OF Ilacs that he remembered
Nine de BONN who had uuwitttngly been the
raison d'etre Of his solitary dinner. As he drew
nearer he heard the sound OF passionate soootng:
he hesitated. then deliberately walked up 20 the
dark figure on the seat He raised his hat as
Nine De BONN became aware OF his presence
1T am very sorry" he began. You must tell
me your trouble, and will see Il cannot ind
the remedy. Everything in life is a puzzle, but
there is always answer waiting II We only
vUha IoOx ri II