The Washington times., 1905-08-20
PART I-cHAPTER L(Continued)


Mrs. Maxtead. in her turn, laughed
Listen to thss-I vas reading it as
you opened the door. -Mdlle. Solny, the
young Partisan actress, contemplates
tour in. Russia before opening her sea
son in London in the middle OF May
A trife inconsistent, eh?" She raised
ner brows.
Anna swept the sheets aside. You
know never say things-saying is so
bad for the imagination. But she
dressed the girls hand. Make your ex-
plantations. Anna. Three weeks ago, IN
Vichna. you told me 10 expect you four
days before your opening night-not an
hour sooner,
y know But a month ago. Jeanne
Things happen--' She took off her
a:at and threw It on the bed.
Her companion smiled again. q slight
Iy ironieal smile.
why do you smiIe?" Anna turned
round.
"A "Reminiscences. You are very much
and very uttle-changed in the eight
years"
Anna threw back her head. Don't
talk or that. ASK me why I came
- have asked"
There was a pause.
How lovely Of you 70 have q fire."
Anna crossed the room and Inelt on the
white rug. I've been praying for an
English spring and an English fire for
four years" She bent close to the blaze
and the flames lit up her face. After a
moments wait she turned round.
* "
1T was two nights ago at the arch
duchess's, Jeanne Elslen had been sing
ing-you know how her singing seems
70 tighten round ones heart. I was
standing by f-thinking-making
impossible dreams She laughed a
little and picked up a bunch of vioIets
that had dropped n second before. 'Old
Prince Rozon came 10 me-sometimes ne
has 4 very gentle manner-and he said
quite softly. They tell me, mademoi-
selle. that you are going home In
themselves the words were nothing; but
-hey fell a. the right moment: they
touched something here" She put
her fingers 10 her throat. II suddenly
realized, Jeanne, how hollow It all was
this trip 10 Russia-this going home
country 7 didu't remember, a people
! didn't know. It ali came in an In
stant-the necessity-the void. In the
whole crowd about me, each person had
place 70 turn to--one little spot TO call
his own. The feeling was very strong.
Jeanne: my thoughts flew straight back
here" She stopped.
AIRS. Si&Ntead came to her and laid her
hand gently on her arm. You we're
quite right, Anna. quite wise; your home
is with Eae. here with me" She paused
for a moment 10 stroke the girls hand.
Sometimes. Just sometimes. I have
feared
Anna put up her hand.
s'NGf rnHa--fif She
then spraRg up. Jeanne. 7 won't be
serious on my first day. Let's gossip.
What do you DO torieht?'
Tonight? Oh. am at home to-
night"
Anna cIasped her hands. How fine!
VIII there he a crowd? I thirst 10 meet
a London crowd; to hear English spok-
en- by every living soul Oh. but YOU
can't quite understand Her eyes shone.
May ring and order tea2 like
things at unreasonable hours"
My dear child, how thoughtless of
mel" Mrs. Maxtead crossed the room.
hut with her fingers on the bell. she
turned.
Anna"
Yes
Z am not quite certain about to-
night"
"Oh. Jeanne" The girls voice fell.
u have planned your first appearance
in London. your first introduction 10
London so many times. It has been
one of my schemes. It was TO be bril-
Hant-in every sense"
Il am tired Of brilllance."
~ am not tired OF brlniance for you