New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-12
CONCERNING AN EMOTION"

She had skilfuIIy steered the conversation out Of
| the calm. unfruitful waters of commonplace. and
| 1t houndering the Quicksands OF lmpersonal
| Love.
but though a person may think he has never
| loved. there Is always Ideal who steps In be-
tween self and possibilities she said analytcally
That's true" he replied. There is always an
Ideal but don't think that shell speak as a man
ever impedes the influence of the Real. We may
cherish Ideals. but do not love them No
man could marry his Ideal"
She paused moment, and then spoke carelessly
And you have minds love. SUPPOSED"
oh yes
And what is she lke?" her voice took airy
uninterested infection.
He laid his finger tips lightly together and closed
his eyes he answered.
She is tall, fair. with almost colorIess hair a
large thin high bridged nose with decately carved
nostrils, a straight. cold mouth. and lofty white
brow. She is a fearless horsewoman. and loves the
saddle. the sea. the morning air"
Her listener. thinking Of her own indoor pro-
pensties, smiled to herself in the gloom and then
moved nearer the fire. that its rudy glow kissed
her small riante. irregular features and shadowy.
dusky curis into witchng softness and charm.
lie Enclosed his eyes and let them rest on her
at first vaguely. then critically and finally an
alien something crept into his gaze
Donola.' he said. hurriedly bending forward
ne spoke. How can one tell when one truly loves
loves the Real l mean not the Ideal-what test
can one apply by which discover"
Donola paused a moment and leaned her head
on one side. as If to get an evenly balanced i'm
personal view of the subject
saou!G say that jealousy would be the SUI
vanity, or any such paltry or ignoble sentiment.
put put passionate great jealousy Should The one
f a.1a life tragic blank and the world earthly
ffades, when he or she discovers that The other
loves and IS beloved, then The One may surely
know that The Other holds his heart
When she had finished speaking sne knet down
on the hearthrug to stir the fire into brighter
felI from the bosom Of her gown and lay his
He lifted the picture from the ground and razel
at IL long and earnestly before he handed II to her
". w men he spoke his voice was hard and even.
the photograph before realized what was doing
May l. with the privilege OF long-standing friend
original OF that picture to you?'
, The man love" she replied. retreating into
For the moment there was intense silence IN the
room The very ticking OF the clock seemed an in
truson.
Then he spoke
'Donoa, l feel the sudden sense Of torturng
agony ana realize that life is tragic blank and
me world an earthly HaGes Why did I not dis
Heaven help met and unconsciousiy adopting the
conventional stage attitude representative OF mas
culine grief he leaned his arms on the mantelpece
and covered his face.
Donoa emerged from tho gloom Her silk un-
him. and laid her hand his arm.
Lion" she said very, very softly. This is the
Hal. who is in Australia
He turned round and caught her hands in his
''why2' she repeated. because felt it was time
she did have the option OF abdicating" he
answered The Ideal is dethroned-the Real is
And he kissed a scarlet mouth not straight and
coid and rested his cheek upon soft hair that was
not not fair and almost colorless while whispered
-(Gerte De S Webster. in The Lady's Pictorial.