THE STORYTELLER

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 4, 28 January 1925, Page 3

THE STORYTELLER

His first little act of revenge had been well worthy of his slow and vulgar self, in the anonymous letter he had sent the countess. At the time he had only considered the matter in the light of a low love intrigue, probably to end in dishonor. A few words which the director let fall had opened his eyes on that score; but as Nora’s conduct had been more distant than ever since that day, his thirst for revenge had increased. Yes, he would humble her, he would crush that proud heart, and bring it to his feet. Perhaps, after all, she would be brought, if not to love him, at all events to marry him, and to be his slave, and now the father’s difficulties seemed to be a weight thrown in his balance. Pale with rage, he had stepped back as she had turned to go away, and as he made room for her his dark eyes rested upon her with - a wicked flash. At that moment Landolfo made up his mind. The director’s eyes had also followed his daughter with displeasure, and in order to pour (balsam upon Landolfo’s wounded pride he said, “No; come into my room, Landolfo; we had better begin business at onceand ladies understand nothing about business you know.” ' • . “They certainly seem to have no taste for simple and honest men of business, however much advantage may be gained from them,” said Landolfo sharply, and in so loud a tone that Nora must have heard him. “But I know how to appreciate them,” said Mrs. Karsten from her chaise longue, upon which she was gracefully reclining, her head ensconced in soft pinksatin and delicate white lace. Karsten, mind you bring Signor Landolfo back, and do riot deprive us of him the whole evening,” she added, holding out her hand, which Landolfo gallantly kissed., “Come,’’said the director impatiently, and leading him into his study. “What news have you?” he added almost tremulously, before even the door was closed. As soon as Landolfo was alone with the director, his submissive and respectful air completely disappeared; he was far too indispensable to that man to be particular about his manners towards him. _ Before vouchsafing an answer he leisurely lit a cigar, to which important operation he devoted even more time than is usually necessary; then he threw himself negligently into an arm-chair, and puffed at his cigar until he could make sure that it was properly lighted. ■ Meanwhile. the director was pacing his room up and down with long • strides. f ' v ... “Here are letters l’[ said Landolfo at last, throwing a small packet upon the table. “And the banker? What news from him?” asked the director excitedly. .

• ..j V . ' NORA - , -.V ’ ‘•- ■■ J Translated from the German by Fringes a Liechtenstein' (Published by arrangement with Burns, Oates, , Washbourne, Ltd.) CHAPTER Xlll(Continued)

“At the best, you are in for a great loss; two-thirds will go, if not more.” “Good heavens 1 that is the death-stroke exclaimed the director. “The loss is an irreparable one under present circumstances. We have had nothing but expenses during the whole winter, and the income has considerably diminished.” Landolfo as silent, and watched with interest the nice little white clouds arising from his cigar and disappearing one after the other into vacuum. ' “Two-thirds lost!” muttered the director; “I tell you that’s ruin!” “One single lucky season would set you upon your legs again.” “But how can I conjure up a lucky season?” cried the director angrily. “That fellow there has put it into his head to ruin me, and he has colossal means to back him. Depend upon it, it is an intrigue got up in order to rob me of the result of these long years of labor. But I won’t be beaten indeed, I won’t,” “What news have you from the troop?” asked Landolfo in the same quiet tones again. The director shrugged his shoulders. “The new clowns have asked for an augmentation of their salary for the next quarter, and, of course, I cannot pay them; the cashier calls out for money, and the audience is well nigh reduced to zero. The new company has naturally visited all the great towns in Central Germany, so as to spoil the game for us. Such low performances, too; they must needs get lions over, and will probably be having monkeys soon, I’ll bet! What a downfall from our training of fine and noble horses!” he added indignantly. “Engage a lioness that would be a better attraction than anything else,” said Landolfo with a hideous leer. The director did not seem to follow this last remark he was busied with the letters which Landolfo had placed upon the table. As he had finished one, a low curse passed across his lips. “This also,” he said, throwing the paper away. “What has come over the girl? She is my best e-rider, that Miss Elise, and has just given *me notice. It’s too bad, for I had acceded to her ridiculous pretensions. That man has evidently caught her also,” “What does she write?” asked Landolfo indiflerently. ; : , ' } “Read for yourself. A lot of stupid phrases which Ido not even understand. Now, that is really the crowning of the edifice,” Landolfo read the letter, and replaced it with methodic order . upon the table. “I thought so,” he said, leaning back, .!. “What did you think? . What does she want?” asked the" director irritably.

Y; "Oh! its offended artist pride Miss Nora \ didn't choose to return her visit. A little go ; display of judicious pride, which did not ■ quite suit our beauty. They're not made of y, I such pliant stuff as ; the like of us.''.... V.| f ■■ |.;. * "Stupid .nonsense !" answered the director; m?the/girl- will-spoil everything for me before *f the day's out, with her hoity-toity ideas." ;"{■_ Faithful-to his old habit, the director began once more pacing the room. : ' 1 "What on earth shall we do, Landolfo?" he said at last.. v "Engage another" beauty; Miss Elise al- . I ready belonged to the old stock." ' I "That's; all very fine!" cried the director, ;- "but .where am I to find herthis new I beauty ? Remember, too, what enormous pre- | tensions they make, now that they know how '.j'the other man will arm them with money, ■i and; I v haven't wherewithal to pay them. I ; tell you again, its ruin; I can't bear it any ..r longer !" /-./• ~ ...■ . '■ ' .'- "1 know no one better able to laugh at 1 ruin than you," remarked Landolfo, rising '"] and knocking his ashes carefully with his ') second finger into a dainty little ash-rdisli.' . "I?" asked the director astonished, and trying in vain to catch a glimpse, of Landolfo's averted face. "What do you mean I know you're a clever man. Have you any ' other plan in your head \ Speak !" • > : "Miss Nora," said Landolfo, with his face " still averted as if occupied with his cigar. ■ "Miss Nora is the best rider I know. Mademoiselle Elise" was not to be talked of on I the same day with her; moreover, she is I remarkably beautiful, and will soon bring j- the whole world to admire her. Let Miss ■ Nora appear in public, and you have won the day." Karsten started back. '.'•• " "My daughter does not ride in public," he I said, 'after a pause, with a hoarse voice. Landolfo was silent. . ' , } "Her mother did riot wish it," continued Karsten, as if to strengthen his conscience j against himself. - i "Circumstances alter the case," said Lan-" ; dolfo shortly. : "She will never consent to it," exclaimed (the director. .. "Miss Nora is said to be very pious, I hear; she will 'assuredly know what her duty to her father is, and will make a sacrifice in 1 order to save him from certain ruin." i vThe director felt heavy drops of sweat j chasing one another upon his Ibrow. ;. "The fact is that she has other duties to J perform; she is engaged, and I have given the.count my word." ! Landolfo indulged in a low laugh. j "Ah! really engaged with a young Austrian count, perhaps; anyhow, it wasn't very 2 official until now." ; "It was to remain a secret during the two : years," answered the director somewhat awk- . wardly. ■■.•f ; -■-..':;;.. „^,r. •; ( | . "Ha!, ha! We know what such engagemerits. mean," said Landolfo, shrugging his shoulders; "engagements, entre nous, so.that , one may be at liberty;to do as one likes. I iv , suppose that's the -, reason ,H why the; young :; gentleman has hurried off to the East. The - : iMuiiua seems bu encourage tne mat- ,;' tor."'./' ■;"; '-■'-;"•vj \; .";;'."">/;' '"- ''C, '' -: ;/ ". ■ ? ""' I ::: "Where did you say?" asked Karsten, to

whom Nora had' said nothing of Curt's absence she herself knew, the reason why. | ■ "He lias' been named attache to the embassy at Pera," said Landolfo. "I suppose a little change of air was considered good for his health. 'Believe me, my friend, this Eastern traveller will not cross your plans much," he added, laying his hand, confidentially upon the director's shoulder. "Don't lot us mince matters. It's the old story; one may be in love, but marriage" . -. i. and a low whistle completed the sentence. "I believe the count to be a man of honor," said the director, with a deep blush rushing to his cheeks. He turned indignantly away from the touch of his inferior, and stood before him for one moment with all his former dignity.* .'Y : '. "So do I," answered Landolfo with perfect calmness; "but he is young, very young! You must be fair, director. From his point of view it's a great folly; and follies, as a rule, do not last. Three, days' constancy in such circumstances is already very meritorious. However sweet the folly may be,- it destroys itself, and in this case I happen to know that the pair have already had a little tiff." "How do yon know anything about it?" asked .the director in a commanding tone. "A lucky or unlucky circumstance, as you may take it, was the cause of my witnessing a little love scene between them: Miss Nora iii tears, because the count was reproaching her for having gone to Vienna, and thus mixing herself up with the troop; Miss Nora, indignant at first, then imploring her lover not to undertake his journey to the East. The count's answer was to start off that very same night, without even bidding her farewell." "T have heard nothing of all this." "1. daresay it was unpleasant to Miss Nora, and that she therefore kept it to herself," answered Landolfo. "I have noticed her irritation of late. But Miss Nora is a remarkable young lady, and a clever one, to boot as soon as a thing is put clearly (before her, she will herself understand the necessity of action. She will understand," he continued slowly and distinctly, "that her situation towards the count will not be improved by her father's bankruptcy, and that Count Degenthal's family will hardly be more inclined to receive her with open arms as the daughter of a rained circus-rider than as that of a rich man." Karsten seemed to have been turned to stone during this last speech of Landolfo. • Yes; he remembered his conversation with the chaplain and the dowry he had promised his daughter,- and which- he would now be unable to pay. Once again he said to himself, that she, would be an unnatural daughter if she could forsake him in such a moment; if she did riot make the small sacrifice in order to save him. And yet he felt it, and said it with, a moan, "She will never do it!", - ■ .-. ; , ~,-. ,-i;:., .... "She must have a 'strange idea of f filial piety," observed ; . Landolfo coldly; - -"Wo n-* not supposed to be worth much, and jei we should understand, our duty otherwise: Anynow, wait till to-morrow before you make A .up your mind. The house is not yet on fire. During;^three- months we can keep ~ up \. our

credit, and if the worse comes to the .worst, : depend upon it ,Miss Nora will not be heartless enough to say no.- Just try ! ! it." '•; Sosaying, he lit another cigar, -and remained standing a''moment" as if he expected the director, to speak. ''"" ' ' ,/' * But .Karsten was silent. ; The red spots on ;his cheek 1 darkened; and ■■'his.'-thoughts seemed to be painfully at work; yet; he said" not Va;' syllable. When' Landolfo asked whether he might ; retire, ; a silent nod was . the ' only . answer. He went, and the director was alone. * , ,-,_.- , . ' It -would be unnatural if the child refused to save her father. This was the one thought which occupied his brain. The count! The count! That had been a foolish love story, which was already at an end. After all shewould only return to the position to which she had been born. He had kept his word . to,, her mother in giving her the education she had desired for her. But circumstances now altered the case, as Landolfo had so justly said. For one moment it had occurred to him to sell all that he possessed, arid! •to retire from the whole business. This, however, he could not do without incurring great loss: and then how humiliating it would be to have given way before his rival !j "It wouldn't serve her, and it would be of no good to me," he thought to himself. '; % "However, I will not try to force her," ho murmured. "I will explain the whole matter to her, and she will do as she chooses." | '}■ "No, I will not speak to her—l will riot be such a coward!" he repeated later on to himself during that long and sleepless night. But then again the tempter's voice said; "Would it not be unnatural that she child should refuse to save her father?" ; I3

chapter XIV. ;,:■: Early the next morning Nora had mounted her horse and had set off for a pleasant ride in the fresh and brisk morning air. Her heart was dancing for joy, and her horse was prancing about under her, as if in accordance with her feelings. 'This, was a joyful anniversary for : her. , A month ago, Curt had held her in his arms and told her, at least for the hundredth time, that his love was unchanged and \unchangeable, .v-* As she., passed through the; court which was separated by a low wall from the. park, she saw her father standing at,.the window of his writing-room. She nodded to him*' and then made her horse perform all sorts of graceful and pretty freaks, such as she; knew he loved, then nodding once more, springing over the wall, she set off at full gallop through the park. * - Did he see her? ;: Yes,'indeed ! We watched with pride' the manner in which she ruled her horse, and the grace with which she" directed its steps. -.-_• ; / It was a young and fiery animal, which he had lately picked out of his stables so that she might, try her hand and exercise her talent upon it. It had hardly been mounted before 'she; took it in -hand, and now she might have led it with a, silk thread. ■ As: she .; flew proudly through the air,' he was once more struck by her 'in comparable beauty. -"Hey is > right! 'she would ■ soon" have the whole world',.- at her feet," he muttered "she Avould surpass them ail. '■J: And \ .she

would enjoy; it also/for she is my own daughter," he added. v ■■: As the happy and careless girl galloped -along, she hardly dreamt of the result her S little \, display of filial coquetry had brought about. 'She had only wanted to amuse him a, littlethat poor father who during the last Months had looked so sad and so full of jfuare. ; What could be weighing upon 'him, ;! she J wondered. ' ■ But then again happy remembrances _•of v the past 'and bright dreams of the future chased away all other thoughts. How quickly ;; the time had gone by, how rapidly months would roll away; and then she would be Curt's! How pleasant that sounded! She went on repeating to herself each one of the words he had spoken,, and her mind's eye saw him standing before her so true, so noble, and so pure! Last, not least, her woman's heart told her with a delicious throbbing that she was loved, nay, passionately loved by him. "Unconsciously Iter hand pulled at the reins, so that, the ,-".fiery animal- snorted as if in sheer surprise. And then her thoughts travelled on into years to come—years that seemed .so far, far away. She would belong to him, she would bear his noble and stainless name, and would gain through him that solid footing which failed her in her present position. Her mind and heart rose as she thought of living at his side, and of aiming at great ends in the circle in which God would thus place her. She was not indifferent to a great'position, nor to the charms of living in good society, and she admitted it to herself. Great happiness has its principal source in the heart's ■ satisfaction, but there are other sources, too, which tend to make the stream ■*& clearer and stronger one. Hours slip by quickly when one dreams of love, and ponders over life's sweet secrets, particularly if one be riding alone, as Nora was, on a sunny morning, under the shadow of green trees. . The sun was already high in the heavens when she remembered it was getting • late, and she turned her horse's head towards home. The shortest road lay across a small stream which formed the boundary of the wood; there, on the other side of a narrow bridge, lay the road to the town. The soil was slippery on the edge of the stream, so. that her horse made a false step,- and it was only her firm hold of the reins which prevented his falling. S "How dangerous that place looks," she thought to herself, turning her head back, and the bent and broken bushes,, the slippery edge, and the little bridge impressed itself upon her memory. ;,-._'." • (To be continued.) V" - "