Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-01

from Butterfly" the Samson" aria Mimi IN
the church scene. There was only one thing she
must not play and, when her hand wandered
to it again and again she skipped quickly to
something else.
Eugene realized only gradually that she
was struggling The palms of her hands were
moist and her lip was caught between her
teeth with some effort long before she knew
what the effort was Was she afraid to play
"Manon?" Was her feeling for Michael so
fimsy that it would vanish If she dared it?
Almost as challenge she threw back her head
and struck the first bars.
Nothing happened. What did she expect to
happen? Oh the sweetness before the pain
Of "Manon" her best beloved She followed
the mood of it. She was Manon and she was
In the arms of des Grieux, or the arms of
,Jandro Pascal. She came TO his dream OF
happiness, the "Reve." and she played through
it to the end and then again, and, although
her heart was suddenly ice, still again for
fear the voice would stop.
It was not imagination now. 1t in
comparable reality, strong and full of yearning.
It was somewhere outside. swelling on the south
wind. falling clear as starlight upon those South
ern waterS-a voice that could be no other voice
but his She went on and on with 1t to the
last endearing ''ManOn-Manon!' and to the
singers breaking on the final note-and to the
intense stiffness when there was no more.
Eugenie's hands lay inert upon the keyboard
She reached out to draw herself up, because
she must get to the window and see 1t was
hard to get up and she brushed her hand
across her eyes so that she might see more
clearly where the window was. Then she FELL
crumpling into heap on the floor with the
flminesS Of her white and silver dress all about
her.
Gianina had lifted her to the chaise Tongue
Gianina had cold things upon her forehead
and the fumes of smelling salts we're sharp in
her noStrilS. Gianina was rubbing her wrists
and rocking back and forth muttering some
ulonotonous incarnation in her native tongue.
'Oh, please, Gianina-just let me alone and
I will be all right"
what is it, Signorina mia? What has that
beeg man done for you? Gianina will bring
b i'm to put him here on the kness."
"Who?" said Eugenie family. Michael? No,
I don't want to see Michael I cannot bear
10 see him, but within the morning"
Gamma went to answer persistent knock
ing at the door.
It was Mr.. Torres, the Argentine ct was
passing by ON the deck. I thought heard q
call. Is everything all right?"
EUGENE had not been able to get up next
morning and she had sent asking Michael
to come to her. She rested back against the
pillows in a blue bedjacket. with the sunlight
pouring in through her window and it seemed
ridiculous for her to be sitting in the sunlight
with tears all over her face
"Michael-?"
He came and knelt beside her. smiling as
she knew he would be, but with haggard eyes,
as if he already knew
mo reason to cry, is there, Eugene? You
sent for me TO tell me that you don't really
love me- But knew that already, my dear.
What harm is there? A few sweet days with
an illusion-and then we smile and PASS on"
She was not deceived He could not hide
the pain. ooh Michael 1t isn't that 1 don't
want to. Everything in me answers to you.
shall long for you so often, Michael. Right
now. if you urged me. I'd promise all over
again. I'd try again and"
foN
Eugene. If you only knew how have failed.
though not altogether. I added one-thi-d to
the production of my fathers vast coffee lands,
Eugene, INN a very short time. That was
not failure but success, and mean my life
to be successful and practical-so many pounds
of coffee at so many pesos the hundred,
many native laborers at many pesos the
day. Those the things that neve. let you
down"
But I don't mean to let you down.
"You? You haven't let me down Eugene
darling. You have buoyed me up. It is not
your fault that our worlds are apart and I
have no envy for yours, my dear, with is music
but also with its torment its torn emotions, it's
forever peaceful hearts. wanted to take you
out of it into my world and I couldn't,
that's all
Michael" She sat up and haunting be-
wilderment returned to her eyes. IT sat there
IN my sitting room after left you last night
was playing Manon'-juSt to show myself
that I dared. was that sure, Michael. Out
side, don't know where, but somewhere, ne
picked it up and sang the 'Reve to me, begin
ming to end, twice No fancy my dear, but
actually. Enthusiastically. exquisitely. If I doubted
before, can no longer doubt, and with the
sound of his voice knew there would always
be something missing in any love offered YOU
You deserve too well of love for that, Michael
and So"
And so you must go on trying to find him."
he said although you win not succeed Eugene