New-York tribune., 1909-02-14

She sad. strDkIng the coarse thread pictures
She walked up and down. The CLINT OF her
copper things-the old samovar, the candle
sticks. and great round pldtter-SrnaTted her
eyes. She loved them. The light from the
lamp on the writing table iell on the curious
bronze vase on the carved chest, and on the
andirouS IN the tireleSs CRATE
At all these things she looked with wonder.
Why did they seem SO real part OF her, she
seated herself At the table and drew a sheet
Of paper before her. and wrote the days name
1t the top Tuesday. She had almost de
cided 20 send 1t out with a message that would
change her whole life
She took up her pen and dropped It She
went 20 the open window. The Hudson with
its moving lights was like a spectral thorough
fare with searching souls on t carrying their
own lanterns She looked forth at the world
the hour was giving her just as she had looked
at her world OF things within. Tier thoughts
Travelled far. She saw plains as they edged
into a western desert. Moonlight whitened
them into a dim and unframed mirror. with
nothing to reflect There WAS some uneven
ness IN the sky where the stars crowded closely;
there was none on the PLAIN except Where TWO
or three spots Of white cast shadows. As she
looked the gli5tening spots grew INTO tents,
almost crystal in the light of the desert moon
In one Of them she knew man was sleeping
She held her breath TO hear his; but II was
quiet. Her heart beat fast As she stood a long
time hstening-in her thoughts.
Then the moonlight dimmed: the plains
wrinkled into hills and valleys; the tents grew
dull and dark and she saw only the lights on
the river She drew the curtains. She knew
that her world had lost its power over her
She would not write; She would 60 to him!
THE next day when she was packing her
books her hair diSheveled. her fingers
dusty. the halboy brought card. There was
some self distrust i'll her trown; but she told
the boy to bring up the caller, and went on
packing. Iaviug the books edge to edge IN their
cases. She would let no one else touch the
things she loved.
Henri Duruy looked for an empty char.
" Are YOU moving he asked.
Yes, she answered with q sort of uncertain
challenge in her yoice.-"yeS, l m moving
Il thought YOU liked these rooms He had
an insistent way Of making an indifferent re-
mark At the moment his eve swept the view
from the window She followed his glance
with hers: but made explanation.
If you will glance over the contract and
sign it. he said, going 70 the table he
places and dates are here. You are to open IN
the West this year.
The pallor that came TO her cheek was notice
able, and she put her hands on the back OF
chair for a moment. then drew herself up as
before an audience. There WAS eXutatIOn IN
her black eyes. and complete forgetfulness OF
the dust on her fingers and the disorder of her
hair Henri. She said. am not gong to
sign any contract this year.
He held the pen above the place where he
wished her to sign. and waited The whims
OF singers were gnats in his ointment. He
was used to hesitation. We'll, why not?"
Il am not going to sing any more in-in
public she said slowly.
The pen he dropped left a blot where she
was to have signed. Who is he?" he asked
She parried. because he was cold and not
frantic 1t is all so artificial, this life
striving for new phases OF appreciation, for
fresh honors | want the real life
"AhH there was contempt, volume of 1t,
realities attract you2
YES" she said sharply, because of his sar-
casm. " | leave tomorrow for a real world,
place where love Is, and home, and freedom.
For YOU" he answered, that can be only
mirage. Your realities lie in your voice, IN
your power. in your surroundings. Keep the
other for a vision, my lady"
She did not seem to hear him, and spoke
quickly " You see, | must surrender all that
is mine TO 60 into the other world. He must
live on the plains, going where his work takes
him cannot even take these books and pic
tures. But l am glad to go,-l cannot wait to
start To-day l am putting these things of
the old world into their coffins." She pointed
to the open boxes and laughed.
His face narrowed in its intensity. " You
are vida mystic with dreaml'
4 am q primeval woman" she said. Il
will not stay here longerl l love himl"
Your logic IS perfect; but know that you