Evening star., 1909-02-14

IL CeilIng to floor " Ou too, | must leave,
she said, Stroking the coarse thread pictures.
She walked up and down. The CLINT of her
copper thlngs-the old samovar, the candle
sticks. and great round platter-srnarted her
eyes. She loved them The light from the
lamp on the writing table fell on the curious
bronze vase the carved chest, and on the
andirons in the tireless CRATE.
II 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 sheet
at the top, Tuesday She had almost de-
| cded to send it out with message that would
i change her whole life.
She took up her pen and dropped it. She
went to the open window. The Hudson with
it's moving lights like spectral thorough
i fare with searching souls 1t carrying their
own lanterns. She looked forth at the world
the hour giving her Just as she had looked
at her world of things within Her thoughts
| travelled far. She plains as they edged
into western desert Moonlight whitened
| them into 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
i In one of them she knew man was sleeping.
i She held her breath to hear his; but 1T was
| quiet Her heart beat fast as she stood long
| time lstening-in her thoughts.
1 Then the moonlight dimmed: the plains
| wrinkled into hills and valleys; the tents grew
| dull and dark; and she saw only the l1ghts on
i the river She drew the curtains. She knew
| that her world had lost its power over her.
She would not write; she would go to him!
THE next day when she was packing her
books, her hair disheveled. her fingers
dusty the hallboy brought card. There was
some self distrust in her frown; but she told
Il the boy to bring UP the caller. and went on
packing laying the books edge to edge in their
4. aolca fo1,Nh tha
things she loved.
II Henri Duruy looked for empty chair.
Are you moving? he asked.
H Yes she answered with sort of uncertain
Il thought you liked these rooms" He had
an nsistent way of making indifferent re-
mark At the moment his eye swept the view
II from the window. She followed his glance
with hers: but made no explanation.
II "If you will glance over the contract and
sign it,. he said. going to the table. The
/ places and dates are here. You are to open IN
the West this year.
i The pallor that came to her cheek was notice
| able and she put her hands the back of a
i chair for moment. then drew herself up
| before an audience. There was exultat1on 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,!
i 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. Well why nott
4 Il am not going to sing any more ln-ln
| public" she said slowly.
The pen he dropped left blot where she
was to have signed. Who is he" he asked.
| She parried. because he was cold and not
| frantic 1t is all artificial, this life
striving for phases of appreciation, for
fresh honors. want the real life
"Ahi' there was contempt volume of it.
realities attract your
i Yes she said sharply, because of his sar-
casm. l leave tomorrow for real world.
place where love is, and home, and freedom.
For YOU" he answered that can be only
a 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 go into the other world. He must
live on the plains going where his work takes
him. | cannot even take these books and pic
lures. But | am glad to go,-I cannot wait to
start To-day | am putting these things of
/ the old world into their coffins.' She pointed
to the open boxes and laughed.
n His face narrowed in its intensity. You
are wild.-a mystic with dream!'
Il am 4 primeval woman she said. Il
will not stay here longer! l love him.!
II Your logic is perfect, but know that you
II will come back to your world. These things
H are a part of YOU he looked about the room,-
the noises i'm the street the applause at night