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


 pass through Moscow he determined to stop there for a few days. His brother in-law, the gay Stepan, called upon him, of course, and invited him to dinner. 'T cannot come," said Karenine. Why" asked Stepan. Because I am about to get divorce from your sister,"
 "Oh, don't" said Oblowsky, Dolly and had a deuce of row once, you remem- Der, and see how happy we are now. And Kitty, you know, we'll, she has returned as well as ever and Levine and she are to be married. She found out after all 1t was Levine she really loved. So, you see. if you only wait, how things come out all right" But when Karenine had explained all to stepan, Oblowsky sighed and &C., knowledged that 1t was ''hard case" Dolly, on being informed of the condition of affairs, appealed to Karenine, saying: Think what she will become if you aban- don her" But he could only answer, ''Alas there is no other way.'
 The next day telegram was handed to him. It read: T am dying. Come to me. shall die easier if I have your for giveness," and 1t was signed Anna"
 
 thought. But he took the next train for St. Petersburg. All the way he could not get out of his head the thought that if Anna should die it would save all his present perplexities. How Is your mis- tress?" said he to the servant who opened the door. Madam was safely confined last night" was the answer. Karenine turned pale. He realized how much he had desired this death. "Who is here% he asked. ''The doctor, the nurse and Count Wronsky," answered the servant. Anna lay in her bed moaning and raving incoherently. Near by her lay a newly born girl baby. At the head of the bed sat Wronsky, his face buried in his hands. She turned her head toward her husband and said.
 "Alexis-is it not cruel that they both should be called Alexis ?-Aleyis, you are a good man, you do not know how good you are yourself. Give me the child. No, he has not seen her yet. Take her away. Alexis, come near me- The time is short Now I understand everything Give me your hand. Forgive me. Make Wronsky uncover his face. There, there.. forgive him." With tears streaming down his cheeks Karenine extended his hand in si- lence to Wronsky. They left the room together, and Wronsky said: Alexis Karenine am incapable of speaking or of understanding. Believe me. my suffer- ings are great. Have pity upon me, and. if you can, forgive" You are aware" replied Karenine, that I have intended getting divorce. I will go even further, and say that have wished for her death But now l see clearly my duty. It is to remain with her. I only ask one thing the joy of forgiving."
 Wronsky went away feeling humiliatea and confused, as if he had just lost the path along which he had been walking proudly and contentedly. The betrayed husband had raised himself to height which compelled his respect, and appeared to him honest, high minded and generous. while he himself seemed a mean and spiritless creature. All that night Wron- sky walked his room thinking, thinking, and toward dawn tried to put bullet through his heart But his aim was bad, and he only succeeded in wounding him. self severely.
 Anna, in spite of the prognostications of the doctors, began to mend. While she was recovering the Princess Betsy came bustling in to see her. She told her of WronsKys attempt at suicide and begged her to see him. Anna said, "No l can never see him again" "If he were not going away" urged Betsy, T could un- derstand your refusal. But not see the man who has tried to kill himself for your sake and is now going to exile himself for love of you-why that is absurd. Let him say goodby at least"
 In moment of weakness Anna con-