The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-14

voice, the sirens, in your place, the
 slrensi"
 At last all was ready for the sirens to
 go swimming to the bottom of the sea.
 Kostovski was already at his post in
 command of all. The bottom of the sea
 is impregnated with soft light.
 The silvery green reflection seems to
 traverse the bottom of the waters from
 the living light of day above, while at the
 bottom all seemed to be in a perpetual
 twilight
 Lt the further end of the view ap-
 peared a rock of coral. around which
 grew strange plants which seemed life li-e and which supported the gelatinous sea weeds. In the center of the primeVal world suddenly appeared a feminine being wonderfully beautiful, with flowing hair
 and naked shoulders Her body appeared in ne shape of a fish. causing her dress of scales to shine. A swarm of other
 sirens followed her Bathed in the rays of the reflector through the will of Kos tovski, she seemed to acquire all the beauty of the supernatural. In the sea she caught the eye of the strange lights which beautif1ed her; caressing the aurora lights enveloped all her body with mag Iificent charm and made her eyes shine , like two stars. She seemed petrified with a perpetually changing light, which made her the queen of the sea. She did not appear unmindful of what enchanter had favored her with this dag
 zl-lg splendor enchanting the spectators,
 and when she passed near the painter
 she kissed him and disappeared behind the scene.
 Their love was no secret from any one il the company Julie never left the the atre but she was accompanied by Kos tovski. He lived in the adoration of the beauty who permitted him to make love to her. He followed her like a faithful
 uoS he waited faithfully for her at the door of her dressing room while she changed her costume.
 But one night he was obliged to wait
 a long time as sentinel at the foot of the stairway to the dressing rooms. Women des eended sngly and in groups The dressing rooms were by this time all
 empty and she did not appear. Kostovski became sad and thoughtful, without pay ing attention to anything but the door which only opened at rare intervals, as
 all the girls had gone. when the chorus girl Rose appeared, who was noted in the company for her boldness. Why are you waiting here?" she
 asked, raising her eyebrows with a mali cious expression. 'I am the last one; no
 other remains. As to Julie. she has been
 gone 6 long time
 How, Gonei" answered Kostovski. his
 fa-o showing disappointment "IIa, ha hal" laughed Rose with a gay laugh. "She left before the end of the performance with her admrer! And she has never been true to you, my poor frend.'
 le painter took a few steps and grabbed her hair.
 Tt ia not true.' he said hoarsely But it is." she answered. and it is your fault She only wanted to make ha~sef more prominent, and you reflected the rays of light upon her well that all the orchestra is crazy over her. Oh! She will get along now. She has no need
 of you now" And the chorus girl ran oo-,n stairs laughing. KostovsIi remained motonless in the same place. and in the silence of the empty theatre he felt in his heart an un- kllwn pain.
 When he knocked at the door of Julie's room she received him coldy. Her eyes appeared indifferent and cold under her
 heavy. black brows. From her hair neg ligently combed, two curls fell on her cheeks. Seated on couch she read a
 book. A flowing Japanese gown envel-
 oped her.
 Julie" stammered Kostovsl<i, with which the emotions choked him. Enough. you." said she in dry voice,
 an1 feigning not to notice his trouble. q really have other things to occupy my self with besides you" "Julie"-- he answered. But rearrangng herself on the couch. she plunged again into her book. as if nothing ought to interfere with her This taci urn and frivolous nature of the wo- man irritated him. Why this insulting indiferer ee when 1t was so easy to frank ly explain?
 "Juie. you talk to me as if to a vis- itor of whom you wished to get rid. What do these ceremonies mean?" There are no ceremonies" answered she. Tt is simplicity itself. just as are our relations Each one is at liberty to do what he wishes to. Is it not so? I am reading You also do something If you are bored. go home.'
 'Listen," answered he boldly; 'T must speak to you. and I will wait until you have finished your book" She did not answer him and remained seated on the couch considering her open book. A heavy silence reigned. Kostoysl<i was seated near the door. Slightly re- clining on pillows. she took the graceful pose of q cat and busted herself with hiding her small feet under her gown | This provoked Kostovski. But through the anger which was growing in his heart he felt the desire to seize her and em brace her He turned away his eyes. On a portmanteau lay her coat and her hood. He contemplated with irritation this coat and this hood. He remembered with what tenderness it protected her, caressing her thick hair.
 She threw the book furiously and ju.i ped off the couch.