Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-03-03


su-h firm nesh. such color. Thirty
eighth II Is nothing. II is but the
halfway post; one has left youth be-
hind. but one has not reached old age.
Time must be very tolerant. for he
has given you a careful selection.
There were no years OF storm and
poverty. or violent passions; and il I
have truly loved. II has been you. only
you. You are too wise and worldly
TO love any one but yourself. And yet.
once you stood on the precipice of dark
eyes. pale skin. and melancholy
wrinkles. And even now, IL he were
TO speak Enough Enough OF
this folly. have something to ac-
complish tonight" She glided from
the boudoir into the small but luxuri-
Gus drawing-room which had often
been graced by the most notable men
and women in the country
Karlof threw aside the book of
poems by De Banville, rose, and went
forward 20 meet her.
Madam. bending and brushing
her hand with his lips, Madam, you
grow handsomcr every day. II were
40, now. | should fear for your single
blessedness."
"or. If I were two-and-twenty, in.
stead of eight-and-thirty," -beginning
to draw on her long white gloves.
There was a challenge in her smile.
well yes; If you were two-and-
twenty"
There was a time not long ago.
she said, drawing his gaze as r magnet
draws a needle. when the disparity
I'm years was of no matter"
The count laughed. THAT was three
years ago: and If my memory serves
me. you smiled"
Perhaps l was first to smile; that
is all"
Il observe mental reservation,'-
owlishly.
Il -will put Il plainly. then. pre-
ferred TO smile over your protestations
rather than see YOU laugh over the
possibility and the folly of my loving
you"
Then it was possible?"-with inter-
est
Everything is possible and
often absurd"
How do YOU know that was not
truly I'm love with you?'-narrowing
his ewes"
1T is not explanatory; it can be
given only one name instinct. which
n women and animals is more fully
developed than in man. Besides. nc
that time you had not learned ali about
Colonel Annesicy. whose guests we are
TO be this evening. Whoever would
have IMAGINED a Karlon accepting The
Inequalities OF an Annesiey? Count
hath not thy rose cankorg"
Madam karlon was frowninc.
Count you look like a paladin when
you scowl; but scowling never induces
anything but wrinkles. That is Why
We women frown SO seldom. We smile.
But let us return 90 your query. Sup
posing had accepted your declarations
seriously: supposing YOU had offered
me marriage i'm that burst OF gratitude:
supposing / had committed the folly
of becoming "A countess. what a posi-
ticn I should be in to-day"
Il do not understand. perplexedly.
-shrugging She held forth
gloved arm. Have YOU forgotten how
CALAMITY you used TO button my
gloves?"
"A thousand pardonsl My mind was
occupied with the mystery OF your
long superstition" lie took the arm
gracefully and proceeded 20 slip the
pearl buttons through their holes.
(Have YOU ever buttoned the gloves
Of handsome woman? | have. And
there is a subtitle thrill about the pro-
ceeding which I can not quite define.
Perhaps it is the nearness Of physical
beauty; perhaps il is the delicate scent
OF flowers; perhaps il Is the touch
Of the cool. firm flesh: perhaps Il is
just rOmance.) The gaze which she
bent upon his dark head was emotion
al; yet there was not the slightest
tremor Of arm or fingers. Il is possi-
bic that she desired him to observe the
steadiness OF her nerves. What did
you mean?" he asked.
What did an?"-vaguely. Her
thought had been elsewhere.
by that superstition"
"Oh. mean that my position. had
I married you. would have been rather
anomalous to-day" She extended the
other arm. You are in love"
In love?" lie looked up quickly.
Decidedly; and had always
doubted your capacity for that senti-
ment"
And pray tell me. with whom am
in love-"
Come, Count, YOU and I know each
other too well TO waste time in beating
about the bushes. I do not blame you
for loving her; only. I say. it must
not be"
Must not be?" The counts voice
rose a key.
Yes, must not be. You must give
them up--the idea and the girl. What!
You, who contrive her fathers dishon-
or, would aspire TO the daughters
handF II Is not equable. Love her
honorably, or not at all. The course
Won fof1gufptr & Ro-ao