The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-19

nightY' Betsy asked her one day. "Ah
 I know; a certain person was not there
 How I envy you lovers your secont
 sight"
 One evening Karenine entered a crowd
 ed drawing room and saw his wife sitting
 apart as usual with Wronsky, and en-
 gagged with him in deep and earnest con-
 versation. Karenine knew that the Count
 was frequent caller at his house. and
 that he met Anna often at social func- 1 tions. But jealousy to the diplomat was
 one of the meanest of passions It was,
 besides, an insult to his wife to harbor such a feeling. But that night the look on Annals face Wrons5y murmured In
 her ear, the significant looks on the faces
 of the other guests, caused him to take a resolution. There was nothing wrong. of course. but she must avoid the appear
 ance of evil So he made up in his mind a nice little lecture for Anna. and going to her boudoir that night started to de- liver it. But Anna interrupted him and spoiled his speech What is 1t you are talking about?' she asked That is just like you. Sometimes you complain be- cause I am dull, and now tonight because I enjoyed myself you are angry. But go on; l am interested. What is 1t you are driving at?" Karenine felt alarmed at her manner and her words Anna, Anna, I do not seek to inquire Into your feel ings; it would be useless, perhaps dan gerous. But our lives have been joined together not by man, but by Him, and only death or sin can break the tie, a sin which brings its own punishment" T do not understand in the least what you are talking about" said she, yawn- ing. T only know that I am very tired and sleepy" Anna, for heavens sake, do not talk so. I speak as much for your own sake as for mine I am your hus- irritated Anna.
 If he had never heard the word used he would have ignored it," she thought What does he know of lover" If not for yourself or for me, then think of your son, and give me your confidence" said Karenine. Alexis" replied Anna, with a half repressed smile. T have no conf1- dences to make and 1t Is really time to think of sleep. Good night" '"Too late, too late," she sighed as Karenine left the apartment.
 From that night the relations between Karenine and his wife were entirely changed. Outwardly they lived as usual, but wall had arisen between them. That she loved Wronsky he was certain, but he believed that pride alone would prevent her forgetting her wifely duty As for Anna and Wronsky, they now frankly told each other and themselves that they loved and that there was noth- ing else besides in the wide world that mattered. The young soldier was offered tthe govefnorship of a distance province but declined 1t in order to be near Anna He was ordered to join his regiment and resigned for the same reason. Thus he sacrificed the imperial favor and his am- btion in his chosen profession at the false shrine of his Illicit love. Anna felt at times terrified, at others supremely happy.
 Her brother Stepan came to see her and reasoned with her, but she baffled him, as she had her husband. And how IS Kitty?" she asked of her brother The PiliiGt lHIOl lISd lIdl Ills o1Slel-lIl-ldW had been made very i'll by grieving over her unrequited love for wronsky. and that her parents had taken her abroad Anna said: Poor Kitty, am really sor- ny for her And Levine?" "He was on his estates" Poor Kostia; Kitty should have married him." she said; "he would have made a model husband" and there was touch of irony in her tone. Anna had developed a strange waywardness, obstinacy, willfulness of character which made her incomprehensible.
 A year and more passed It was sum mer. Anna was living with her boy in a villa some leagues from St. Petersburg Karenine had plunged more deeply than ever into affairs of state. Sometimes he would not visit the villa for days. Se- cretly Anna was receiving almost con- stant visits from Wronsky. One day as she and the Count sat alone on the ter race. she leaned over and. blushing, whispered fin his ear. Wronsky started and turned pale. Finally he spoke Neither you nor I have looked upon our liaison as a transient happiness. The time has come to end all this lying and deceit. You must confess all and leave your hus- band" But he does not know" said Anna. This was not the first time that Wronsky had been struck with the fm- possibility of making Anna comprehend her own position. In the place of the real Anna had grown up a being capri cious, incomprehensible, almost repulsiye to him.
 "This cannot go on" said Wronsky. "our lives must be united" Are they not now united?p replied. Anna We should have to fly, to give up everything" "Anna," said Wronsky solemnly, q am sincerely sorry to make you unhappy, but - There is my happiness" cried Anna, and she ran to meet her little boy, Serge. who came dancing in from the garden
 Shortly after this interview there was dfys racing at the fashionable track near St. Petersburg. The Emperor was there in person. so, of course, Karenine. the rising minister went along also and took his wife. There was a steeplechase race for gentlemen riders, and Wronsky rode in it on his English mare The Count rode with more fury than tudg- ment At the last jump the mare took it all right but when she landed on the other side sank to the earth with a broken back. lJronsky was unhurt. hut the mare had to be shot. All that Anna from her seat in tn egrand stand could see was the Counts mount had coma down and he with it. She lost all control of herself in her terror and anxiety. Let us go, let us go," she cried, starting up.