Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27

that left them alone at last. she had
drawn herself up and moved a step away.
DO not think, however,, she said proudly,
that l am really as weak and silly as
that. 1t was only a mood Should you
not return l should grieve, yes; and should
live as long as is common with my race.
still would my heart remain young with
your image. and with the fidelity that
would be no less religion than that or
my church. But l should not live self1sh
life, or l should be unworthy of my cleo
ton TO experience a great and eternal pas
sion. Memory and the life of the mag
nation would be my solace. possibly IN
time my happiness, but my days l should
give to this poor little world of ours; and
all that one mortal, and that a woman,
has to bestow upon a stranded and benght-
ed people 1t may not be much, but l
make you that promise, senior. that you
will not think me foolish romantic girl
unworthy of the great responsibilities you
have offered me-"
"Concha.' He was deeply moved, and at
the same time her words chilled him with
subtle prophecy, sank into some unexplored
depth of his consciousness, meeting re
Spouse as subtle filling him with rush
of angry Impotence at the mortality of
man. He glanced over his shoulder, then
took her recklessly in his arms.
is it possible you doubt l will come
hack he demanded. My faith?''
mo, not that. But such happiness seems
to me too great for this life.
He remembered how often he had been
close to death; he knew that during the
greater part of the next two years he
should see the glimmer of the scythe often
er yet For moment it seemed to him
that he felt the dark waters r.se in his
soul, heard the jeers of the gods at the
vanity of mortal will. But the blood ran
strong and warm in his veins. He shook
off the obsession, and smiled little cyni-
cally, even as he kissed her.
This is the hour for romance, my dear.
In the years to come, when you are very
| 1y,1
and grumblng at my exactions, your conso-
lation will be the memory of some moment
like this, when you were able to feel ro-
mantle and sad. | wish l could arrange
for some such set of memories for my
self but l am unequal to your divine mel
ancholy. When l cannot see you l am.
cross and sulky; and just now-I am, we'll
phlosophicaliy happy. Some day shall be
can harbor ugly presentiments. AS l
entered California l was elated with a
sense of coming happiness, of future vic
tories; and l prefer to dwell upon that.
the more particularly in a measure
the propetic hint has been fulfilled. So
make the most of the present l shall
see you daily during this last precious
fortnight, for am determined this arrange
ment shall cease; and you must exercise
coquetry and abet me whenever there is a
chance of word alone
She nodded, but size noted with a sigh
that he said no more of sudden flight. She
the least of his interests, but she fain would
have been besought. The experience she
had had of the vehemence and fire in
RezaEov made her long for his complete
subjugation and the happiness it must
bring to herself. But as he smiled ten
Gerly above her she saw that his practical
brain had silenced the irresponsible de-
mands of love, and although she did not
withdraw from his arm she stiffened her
head.
Il fancy l shall return home tomorrow"
she said. My mother tells me that she can
live without me no longer, and that Father
Abella has reminded her that if / stay in
the house of Elena Castro 1 shall be as
free from gossip here. 1 infer that he
has rated my two parents for making q
martyr of me unnecessarily, and told them
it was duty to enliven my life as much
as possible before l enter upon this long
period of probation. The grating of my
room at Elenas is above a little strip of
garden, and faces the blank wall of the
next house. Sometimes-who knows?" She
shrugged her shoulders and gave a gay lit
tie laugh, then stood very erect and moved
past him to the door. She had recognized
the shutting step of Father Abella.
rs supper ready. padre mio?" she asked
sweetly. His excellency and have talked
so much that we are very hungry
There Is need to deceive me- said
Father Abelia dryly. You are not the
first lovers 1 have known although I will
admit you are by far the most interesting
and for that reason 1 have had the wick
edness to abet you. But l fancy the good
God will forgive me. Come quickly. They
are scattered now, but will go to the refec-