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diff --git a/old/68685-0.txt b/old/68685-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4ba687a..0000000 --- a/old/68685-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3088 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Moon madness and other fantasies, by -Aimee Crocker Gouraud - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Moon madness and other fantasies - -Author: Aimee Crocker Gouraud - -Release Date: August 4, 2022 [eBook #68685] - -Language: English - -Produced by: D A Alexander and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by University of California - libraries) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOON MADNESS AND OTHER -FANTASIES *** - - - - -[Illustration: Photo of the Author] - - - - =Moon-Madness= - - and - - =Other Fantasies= - - - by - - =Aimée Crocker Gouraud= - - - (4th Edition) - - - Broadway Publishing Co. - 835 Broadway New York - - - - - COPYRIGHT 1910 - BY - BROADWAY PUBLISHING CO. - - - - - _To_ - THOSE WHO KNOW - - - - -[Illustration: CONTENTS] - - - 1^o--Our Lady of Red Lips 7 - 2^o--Paula Loved Pearls 19 - 3^o--The Dance of the Cobra 31 - 4^o--The Painted Mrs. Perry 43 - 5^o--Kara the Faithful 53 - 6^o--Betty and Buddha 69 - 7^o--Mrs. Pepper in Paris 79 - 8^o--Moon-Madness 87 - - - - -[Illustration: “OUR LADY OF RED LIPS”] - - - - -MOON-MADNESS - -“OUR LADY OF RED LIPS” - - -THE place was Paris. - -A man stood in front of an art-dealer’s window, and looked at the -painted picture of a woman. - -The man was about twenty-five years of age and extremely handsome. - -He was big and brawny. - -His hair was brown and curly, and his eyes were blue and frank. - -The woman was about thirty years of age, and exceedingly beautiful. - -She was small and slender. - -Her complexion was creamy white, her hair was inky black, her eyes were -dark green, and her lips were bright red. - -If you were French, you could tell that the man was American. - -And if you were an American, you could tell that the woman was French. - -The man stood and stared at the picture. - -He stared at the white complexion--but he had seen complexion like that -before. - -He stared at the black hair--but he had also seen hair like that before. - -He stared at the green eyes--but he had even seen eyes like that before. - -He stared at the red lips--and he had never seen lips like that before. - -He had never thought of such lips. - -He had never dreamed of such lips. - -Of course their vivid crimson color was unnatural, fantastic, grotesque. - -The picture must have been designed for a poster. - -But nevertheless it fascinated the man strangely. - -The white face seemed to turn to him. - -The green eyes seemed to look at him. - -The red lips seemed to smile at him. - -The man hesitated. - -And then he went into the shop. - -“What is that picture?” said the man. - -“That is the portrait of a lady,” said the proprietor. - -“Who painted it?” said the man. - -“Paul Gaspard,” said the proprietor. - -“Is he well known?” said the man. - -“He would have been--had he lived,” said the proprietor. - -“Is he dead?” said the man. - -“Yes,” said the proprietor, “he died six months ago, under peculiar -circumstances.” - -“Tell me about it,” said the man. - -“He was young, and he was clever, and he was handsome,” said the -proprietor, “men admired him, and women loved him. The lady who posed -for this portrait was one of those who loved him. She had loved other -men. She had loved an Italian prince. But he died. She had loved an -English lord. But he died, also. And then--she loved Paul Gaspard.” - -“And then he too died!” said the man. - -“Yes--and he too died!” said the proprietor. - -“How did he die?” said the man. - -“Nobody knows how--or why,” said the proprietor. “He was found dead in -his bed one morning. That was all. There was some sort of a wound, -or a scar, on his breast, over his heart. For a time the coroner was -puzzled. At first there was some thought of suicide--or even of murder. -But, in the end, the authorities decided that Paul Gaspard had died -from natural causes, and there the matter ended.” - -“And the picture,” said the man. - -“The picture had just been finished on the very day he died,” said the -proprietor, “by a strange coincidence.” - -“Very strange indeed!” said the man. - -“Paul Gaspard had from time to time borrowed sums of money from -me, until he owed me in all some fifteen hundred francs,” said the -proprietor, “so when he died, and left no money, I claimed the -picture--and I got it.” - -“And the lady who posed for it?” said the man. - -“She left Paris as soon as Paul Gaspard was in his grave,” said the -proprietor. - -“Where did she go?” said the man. - -“To St. Petersburg--with a Russian duke,” said the proprietor. - -“Is she there now?” said the man. - -“No, she is at Monte Carlo,” said the proprietor. - -“With the Russian duke?” said the man. - -“No, she is there alone,” said the proprietor. - -“Where is the Russian duke?” said the man. - -“He is dead,” said the proprietor. - -“Dead?” said the man. - -“Yes, dead,” said the proprietor, “as dead as all the rest of her -lovers!” - -“The devil!” said the man. - -“Quite so!” said the proprietor. - -“And the name of this woman,” said the man, “what is it?” - -“She calls herself Elise Du Barry,” said the proprietor, “but other -people call her something else.” - -“What do they call her?” said the man. - -“‘Our Lady of Red Lips’!” said the proprietor. - -The man thanked the proprietor, and left the shop. - -In the street he stopped before the window once more, and stood and -stared at the picture. - -“‘Our Lady of Red Lips’,” muttered the man. - -And, as he left the window, and walked away, he murmured, “Monte -Carlo!” - -That night the man dreamed a strange and startling dream. - -First he dreamed of black hair. - -Hair as black as night. - -It covered the heavens and the earth. There was nothing else in the -world but black hair. - -Then he dreamed of white skin. - -Skin as white as snow. - -It covered the heavens and the earth. - -There was nothing else in the world but white skin. - -Then he dreamed of green eyes. - -Eyes as green as the sea. - -They covered the heavens and the earth. - -There was nothing else in the world but green eyes. - -Then he dreamed of red lips. - -Lips as red as blood. - -They covered the heavens and the earth. - -There was nothing else in the world but red lips. - -The lips kissed him on the brow. - -He felt as though he were swooning. - -The lips kissed him on the mouth. - -He felt as though he were dying. - -The lips kissed him on the heart. - -He felt as though the world were coming to an end. - -His soul was full of terror. - -He uttered a shriek. - -And then--he awoke. - -The next day the man left Paris. - -He went to Monte Carlo. - - * * * * * - -The man’s name was Howard Leslie. - -He was a New Yorker. - -He was an only son, and his father was a millionaire. - -This was his first visit to Monte Carlo. - -He walked into the Casino. - -He looked at the people. - -They were strange to see. - -And the people looked at him. - -He was good to behold. - -The celebrated habitues of the place passed before him. - -He saw Madame de Lara, the Italian singer. - -And La Belle Bolero, the Spanish dancer. - -Yvonne Yvette, the French model. - -And Olga Maronoff, the Russian poetess. - -And then--with a bound of the heart, and a gasp of the breath--he saw -_her_! - -Elise Du Barry--Our Lady of Red Lips!... - -She wore a white satin evening gown. - -There were big pearls in her hair, around her throat, and on her -fingers. - -Her complexion was as white as her gown. - -Not a touch of color, in her dress, or in her face--except her mouth. - -But, just as the setting sun will dominate an evening sky, so did this -crimson mouth dominate this ashen face, and this pallid figure. One was -conscious of the woman’s mouth, first, last, and all the time. - -One could not help but be conscious of it. - -Howard Leslie stood and stared at her. - -And she paused and glanced at him. - -How like she was to her portrait! - -Or rather, how like her portrait was to her! - -At last the white face did in reality turn to him! - -At last the green eyes did in reality look at him! - -At last the red lips did in reality smile at him! - -And then Elise Du Barry passed by. - -Howard Leslie followed her. - -She sat at one of the tables. - -He stood beside her. - -She put down some gold--on the red. - -She lost. - -He put down some gold--on the black. - -He won. - -She looked up at him. - -He looked down at her. - -Their eyes met--his so frank and blue, and hers so strange and green. - -He spoke to her. - -She answered him. - -He didn’t know what he was saying to her. - -He didn’t know what she was saying to him. - -He only knew that he and she were talking together. - -He only knew that he and she were walking together--out of the -Casino.... - - * * * * * - -One month passed. - -And then, one day, all Monte Carlo, all Europe, and in fact all the -world, was surprised and shocked to learn that Elise Du Barry, a -celebrated French beauty, had been strangled at Monte Carlo, and that -the man in whose company she had been much seen of late, Howard Leslie, -a young American millionaire, had become a raving maniac. The madman, -in his paroxysms, constantly clutched his breast, where there was some -sort of a wound, or a scar, and he continually cried, - -“Heart’s blood! Heart’s blood! Heart’s blood!” - -The throat of Elise Du Barry had been dreadfully disfigured by the -strong hands that had crushed the life out of her, but her mouth was -still a bright crimson color, thus entitling the woman, even in death, -to the name by which she had been popularly known in life--that of “Our -Lady of Red Lips.”... - - - - -PAULA LOVED PEARLS - - -PAULA didn’t care for diamonds. - -Or rubies. - -Or emeralds. - -She only cared for pearls. - -And her feeling was more than mere admiration. - -It was--love. - -Passionate love. - -But she could not afford to have pearls _to wear_. - -So she had to be content to have pearls _to look at_. - -She used to stand in front of the jewellers’ windows where there were -pearls displayed. - -The rings delighted her. - -The brooches bewildered her. - -But the necklaces distracted her. - -She used to gaze at them. - -She used to gloat over them. - -And then she would go home--relieved. - -But not satisfied. - -In her bedroom Paula had pictures on the walls. - -Many were studies of women wearing pearls. - -Empresses and actresses. - -In her bedroom Paula had books on the tables. - -Many were volumes treating of pearls. - -Their formation and their history. - -Often Paula would go to sleep at night reading one of these books. - -Or looking at one of these pictures. - -Then she would dream that she had pearls of her own. - -Plenty of them. - -And she would be happy. - - * * * * * - -So you see that Paula had a mania. - -But she also had a husband. - -Her husband didn’t have any money. - -But he had a position. - -A position with an exporting concern. - -This concern did business in the Far East. - -So a time came when Paula’s husband was sent to the Orient. - -And when Paula’s husband went there--he took Paula with him. - -They went to Japan. - -And to China. - -And to India. - -In India Paula saw strange things. - -She saw the Hindoos bathing in the sacred Ganges. - -She saw the Parsees exposing their dead to the vultures. - -And she saw fakirs making mango trees grow out of seeds before one’s -very eyes. - -And in India Paula heard strange things, too. - -She heard of strange lives. - -And of strange deaths. - -And she heard of the Rajah of Raboda who owned the finest pearls in the -world. - -He was said to have pearl necklaces yards long. - -And pearl pendants the size of walnuts. - -And he was said to be willing and glad to display these treasures to -any visitors who cared to journey to his palace in the hills to see -them. - -Paula told her husband of these things. - -He was not interested. - -Paula asked her husband to take her to Raboda. - -He declined. - -Paula asked her husband if she might go there alone. - -He consented. - -So Paula got a letter of introduction from the Consul. - -And she started for the hills. - - * * * * * - -Paula arrived at the Palace. - -She presented her credentials. - -And she was informed that she might see the pearls. - -An attendant escorted her through corridors and courts, into an -apartment where, in a glass case under iron bars, were displayed the -objects that Paula loved. - -Loved with all her heart. - -And with all her soul.... - -Paula stood there transfixed with ecstasy. - -She stood there--she knew not how long. - -And then she became conscious that someone was standing beside her. - -Someone was watching her. - -Paula looked up. - -She found herself facing a tall man wearing a green satin robe and a -lavender silk turban. - -Around his neck was a string of pearls. - -In his turban was a clasp of pearls. - -And in his eyes--was a strange expression.... - - * * * * * - -“I am the Rajah of Raboda,” said the man. - -“Oh!” said the woman. - -“These pearls are mine,” said the man. - -“They are marvellous!” said the woman. - -“You like pearls?” said the man. - -“I--love--them!” said the woman. - - * * * * * - -It really was a strange thing that Paula had not made a more -advantageous marriage than she had done. - -Her husband was not of much account. - -And Paula was--quite a beauty. - -Her complexion was dark. - -Her hair was black and glossy. - -Her eyes were black and fiery. - -And her lips were full and red. - -She was just the type to appeal to an American millionaire. - -Or--to an Indian Prince. - -But Paula had never met an American millionaire. - -And she had never met an Indian Prince--before.... - -She looked at the face of the Rajah. - -His skin was black. - -But his hair and his eyes were no blacker than her own. - -If she only looked into his eyes, he might have been a mate for her. - -If he only looked into her eyes she might have been a mate for him. - -And now he _did_ look into her eyes. - -And now she _did_ look into his.... - - * * * * * - -Paula loved pearls. - -And the Rajah loved--women. - -The Rajah _had_ pearls. - -And Paula _was_--a woman. - -So they stood side by side. - -And they stared at one another. - -Then the Rajah showed Paula more pearls. - -He conducted her about the palace. - -He offered her some refreshments. - -And he invited her to be his guest over night. - -Paula accepted his attentions. - -And his invitation. - -She wondered if she were asleep. - -And if this were a dream. - -One of those marvellous dreams of hers. - -She had imagined it all so often before. - -But no, this was not a vision! - -It was a reality! - -She was the guest of an Indian Prince. - -The Prince had the finest pearls in the world. - -And he--liked her. - -She appealed to him. - -So Paula--thought, and thought, and thought.... - - * * * * * - -That night the Rajah put on even more gorgeous robes than he had worn -during the day. - -And even more splendid pearls. - -Paula forgot to look at his black face. - -She forgot to think of it. - -She only looked at his white pearls. - -She couldn’t think of anything else. - -The Rajah told Paula of how his ancestors had obtained these pearls -from afar. - -How they had sought for them. - -How they had fought for them. - -_This_ one had been in the eye of a Buddha. - -_That_ one had been the cause of a battle. - -And so on, and on, and on.... - -Then he stopped speaking of--pearls. - -And he started speaking of--her. - -His voice softened. - -His eyes brightened - -And at last--he said it. - -He was a prince. - -He possessed pearls. - -He--loved--her!.... - - * * * * * - -What did it matter? - -Where was the harm? - -What was a--husband? - -What was--anything? - -The Rajah held her hand in his. - -There were pearls in the rings on his fingers. - -The Rajah put his arm around her waist. - -There were pearls in the bracelets on his wrists. - -The Rajah crushed her to his breast. - -There were pearls in the chains around his neck.... - - * * * * * - -Paula returned to her husband. - -She wore a string of pearls around her throat. - -She gave her husband an explanation. - -She said that she had bought the pearls in a shop. - -She told him that they were imitation. - -And he believed her. - -And she despised him for it. - -Poor fool! - -He didn’t know the value of pearls. - -But the Rajah of Raboda did. - -And so did Paula!... - - - - -THE DANCE OF THE COBRA - - -THE Place was the Harem. - -The Time was the Morning. - -And the Occasion was the Toilet. - -The wives and the women of the Maharajah were being made beautiful for -the pleasure of their lord and master. - -Their bodies were bathed in the pool. - -And anointed with oils. - -And burnished with buffers. - -With infinite care and patience, blue veins were traced on their limbs, -and red tips were painted on their breasts. - -Their raven locks were scented, and their dusky cheeks were tinted. - -Their eyes were darkened with kohl, and their mouths were brightened -with carmine. - -The nails of their fingers and of their toes were stained a ruddy hue. - -But none of the wives or the women demanded or received more care or -attention than did Lotus Flower, the favorite dancing girl of the -Maharajah. - -For none was so lithe of limb nor so supple of joint as was this same -Lotus Flower. - -She it was who could sway the slowest. - -And she it was who could whirl the fastest. - -Lotus Flower was a young Circassian beauty. - -She had been brought from Bagdad. - -For two days the Maharajah had had in the palace as his guest an -English officer, one Captain Esme Lawrence. - -And for two nights Lotus Flower had been summoned to the Court of -Delight to dance before the visitor. - -The first night Lotus Flower had performed the Dance of the Flames. - -She had pirouetted in and out among lighted candles. - -The English officer had watched her intently. - -The second night Lotus Flower had performed the Dance of the Sword. - -During her gyrations she had borne a scimitar upon her head. - -Again the English officer had watched her intently. - -To-night Lotus Flower was to perform the Dance of the Cobra. - -And to-morrow morning the English officer was to go away. - -Lotus Flower must do credit to the Maharajah. - -And to herself. - -She did not need to be told so. - -She understood it fully. - -So she devoted the entire morning to the beautifying of her body. - -And she devoted the entire afternoon to the selecting of her adornments. - -The English officer had watched her hands. - -So she put jingling bracelets around her wrists. - -The English officer had watched her feet. - -So she put jangling bangles around her ankles. - -The English officer had watched her body. - -So she swathed herself in gleaming gauze. - -And the English officer had watched her face. - -So she painted, perfumed and powdered until even the other dancing -girls admitted among themselves that Lotus Flower had never looked -lovelier. - -But still Lotus Flower was not satisfied. - -The English officer had watched her eyes. - -So she put cosmetics around them to make them darker. - -And she put cosmetics into them to make them brighter. - -But that was not why he had watched her. - -That was not _how_ he had watched her. - -He had looked beyond the blackness of cosmetics. - -He had looked beyond the whiteness of cosmetics. - -He had looked in, in, in--to her soul. - -And her soul had looked out, out, out--to him. - -Lotus Flower realized that she did not need kohl and carmine with which -to charm the English officer. - -And this knowledge made her glad. - -And this knowledge made her sad, too--at the same time. - -Do you doubt that such a paradoxical state of mind could exist? - -Out upon you then,--truly you can know but little of the ways of -woman!... - - * * * * * - -That night a splendid repast was served in the Great Banquet Hall. - -Afterwards the Maharajah escorted his guest to the Court of Delight. - -Two throne-like chairs were brought forward for the two men, the Indian -Prince and the English officer. - -The Maharajah wore pantaloons of crimson silk, a coat of purple velvet -embroidered in gold, and a turban of yellow silk embellished with an -aigrette of diamonds. - -Around his neck were strings of pearls. - -And on his fingers were enormous rubies. - -The Maharajah was an ugly man. - -But he looked magnificent. - -Captain Lawrence wore the conventional evening clothes of an English -gentleman. - -He was a handsome man. - -And he looked attractive. - -A young boy with a stringed instrument sang two songs for them. - -One was a song of joy. - -And one was a song of sorrow. - -An old man with a black cloth did some tricks for them. - -First he made various objects appear out of the cloth. - -And then he made various objects disappear into it. - -Finally, to the beating of tom-toms, and the lilting of pipes, Lotus -Flower was brought forward for her part of the performance. - -She bowed before the Maharajah, but she almost forgot to look at him. - -Then she looked at Captain Lawrence, but she almost forgot to bow to -him. - -The Maharajah looked at Lotus Flower and he smiled. - -Captain Lawrence looked at Lotus Flower and he did not smile. - -He was too much interested in her to remember to smile. - -Just as she was too much interested in him to remember to bow. - -Once more she felt that he was looking in, in, in--to her soul. - -And once more she felt that her soul was looking out, out, out--to him. - -“Lotus Flower,” said the Maharajah, “you must dance your best to-night!” - -“Yes, my lord,” said Lotus Flower. - -“To-morrow our guest departs,” said the Maharajah. - -“Yes, my lord,” said Lotus Flower. - -“He returns to England--where he is going to be married,” said the -Maharajah. - -Lotus Flower stood and stared. - -Her heart stopped beating. - -She gasped for breath. - -“Yes, my lord,” said Lotus Flower. - -She had known that the English officer was departing the next day. - -But she had not known that he was going to leave India. - -She had not known that he was going back to England. - -And she had not known that he--was going to be married. - -Somehow, she had imagined, from his eyes, that he was going to stay in -India. - -Somehow, she had imagined, from his eyes, that she was going to see him -again. - -Somehow, she had imagined, from his eyes, that he--and she-- - -But now, all her hopes had been shattered. - -All her dreams had been dispelled. - -There was nothing for her to do--but to dance!... - -And so she began. - -She waved her arms. - -Her bracelets jingled. - -She stamped her feet. - -Her anklets jangled. - -The tom-toms began to throb. - -The pipes began to lilt. - -And Lotus Flower started to perform the Dance of the Cobra. - -She swayed from side to side. - -She darted to and fro. - -She floated backwards and forwards. - -Slowly at first. - -Then faster and faster. - -Finally she stopped. - -“Is that the end of the Dance of the Cobra?” asked Captain Lawrence. - -“No,” said the Maharajah, “that is only the beginning.” - -Lotus Flower had been nerving herself for the ordeal. - -She had been working herself up for the performance. - -And now it began in earnest. - -A strong eunuch stood guard over a big basket. - -Lotus Flower stooped down, lifted the cover, thrust in her arms, and -drew out a large cobra. - -The cobra wriggled and writhed in her clutch. - -The tom-toms started again. - -And the pipes. - -At first, Lotus Flower held the cobra far from her. - -Then a little closer. - -And at last, she placed it upon her body. - -As she danced around, the cobra twined about her. - -It crawled in and out among the soft folds of her gauzy drapery. - -It disarranged the coverings of her shoulders. - -And of her breast. - -And of her waist. - -Thus it was that Lotus Flower postured and posed before the Maharajah -and his guest, her naked body gleaming under the light of the lamps, -and the great cruel cobra crawling over her lithe young limbs. - -The cobra twined about her shoulders. - -Lotus Flower darted here and there. - -The cobra twisted about her thighs. - -Lotus Flower rushed hither and thither. - -She seemed fairly to fly. - -The notes of the music accompanied her. - -And then, suddenly, the music ceased, and two big eunuchs sprang -forward to tear the cobra from her body. - -That was part of the performance. - -The climax had come. - -But--what was this? - -Had the dancer gone mad? - -Lotus Flower fought off the eunuchs. - -She clung to the cobra. - -It pressed tightly about her waist. - -But Lotus Flower pressed it tighter still. - -The eunuchs fought with her. - -But Lotus Flower fought against them. - -The Maharajah sprang up from his chair. - -And Captain Lawrence sprang up from his. - -They rushed towards the unfortunate dancer, to assist the eunuchs in -attempting to save her. - -But it was too late. - -Lotus Flower lay on the ground. - -The cobra was coiled about her in a grip of steel. - -A grip of steel that would crush the life out of any human being. - -Lotus Flower, the favorite dancing girl of the Maharajah, was dead.... - - * * * * * - -Two days later Captain Esme Lawrence left India, and went back to -England--to be married. - - - - -THE PAINTED MRS. PERRY - - -HE was twenty. - -She was thirty-five. - -There was fifteen years difference between them. - -And a great deal more. - -Gordon was simple, even for twenty. - -Mrs. Perry was complex, even for thirty-five. - -He didn’t know anything. - -She knew everything. - -They were both good-looking. - -He was good-looking, and he looked good. - -She was good-looking, and she looked bad. - -He had a healthy face, and a wholesome manner. - -She had an unhealthy face, and an unwholesome manner. - -He was absolutely natural. - -She was absolutely artificial. - -Until Gordon met Mrs. Perry, he had only known girls, school girls. - -He had never known a woman, a woman-of-the-world. - -Gordon had a man-friend. - -The man-friend had a woman-friend. - -The woman-friend was Mrs. Perry. - -Gordon was at a cafe with the man. - -The woman was there with another man. - -Gordon and the woman were introduced. - -They came, they saw, and they conquered. - -He conquered her. - -And she conquered him. - -He had never seen anything quite so wonderful as this woman. - -She fascinated him. - -And she had never seen anything quite so wonderful as this boy. - -He fascinated her. - -She invited him to call on her. - -He accepted the invitation. - -And he called. - -She had suggested nine P. M. - -So at nine P. M. he came. - -Mrs. Perry lived in her own house. - -Gordon was ushered into the drawing-room. - -The walls were hung with pink silken brocade. - -The floor was covered with pink silken rugs. - -The lamps were shaded with pink silken screens. - -Pink roses were in vases and bowls on the gilded mantel-piece, and on -the gilded tables. - -The gilded furniture was upholstered in pink brocade. - -And Mrs. Perry was dressed in black. - -She wore a long clinging robe, low at the neck, and short at the -sleeves. - -In her ears, on her breast, and on her fingers, were big barbaric -looking emeralds. - -On her face was a quantity of make-up. - -Her cheeks were painted white, her lids were painted blue, and her lips -were painted red. - -Her hair was dyed the color of burnished copper, and was worn in a -weirdly wonderful way. - -Mrs. Perry looked at Gordon. - -Gordon looked at Mrs. Perry. - -She smiled. - -He blushed. - -She motioned to him to be seated--in a chair beside a sofa. - -He took the chair--after she had taken the sofa. - -He fidgetted with his hands. - -His hands were big and strong. - -She fidgetted with her feet. - -Her feet were small and shapely. - -“I didn’t know if you would come or not,” said Mrs. Perry. - -“But you invited me to!” said Gordon. - -“I know I did,” said Mrs. Perry. - -“And I said that I would,” said Gordon. - -“I know that too,” said Mrs. Perry. - -“Then why wouldn’t I come?” said Gordon. - -“I don’t know,” said Mrs. Perry, “but I thought that you might -be--afraid.” - -“Afraid of--what?” said Gordon. - -“Afraid of--me,” said Mrs. Perry. - -“Of you?” said Gordon. - -“Or of--yourself,” said Mrs. Perry. - -“Of myself?” said Gordon. - -“Yes,” said Mrs. Perry, “you are so good-looking.” - -Gordon blushed. - -“And so am I!” said Mrs. Perry. - -Gordon stammered. - -“Don’t you think I am?” said Mrs. Perry. - -“Of course I do!” said Gordon. - -“And don’t you know that you are?” said Mrs. Perry. - -“Of course I don’t!” said Gordon. - -“Well, _I do_!” said Mrs. Perry, “and _you_ are!” - -She put her feet up on the sofa, so that she was reclining at full -length beside him. - -He moved his chair away. - -“Don’t go further!” said Mrs. Perry, “but come nearer!” - -He came nearer. - -“That’s a good boy!” said Mrs. Perry, “a very good boy!” - -He looked shy. - -She looked sly. - -“Do you object to my smoking?” said Mrs. Perry. - -“Not at all,” said Gordon. - -He opened his case. - -She took a cigarette. - -He lighted it for her. - -“Since you have been obliging enough to let me have a cigarette,” said -Mrs. Perry, “I will be obliging enough to let you have a--kiss!” - -He looked amazed. - -She looked amused. - -He hesitated. - -She held up her face. - -He kissed her--on the mouth.... - -“And now we are friends!” said Mrs. Perry, “but we must be more -intimate friends yet. We must know one another better. Much better. -Very much better. Mustn’t we?” - -“Yes,” said Gordon. - -She put out her hand and touched him on the knee. - -He shrank away from her. - -She blew a puff of smoke into his face. - -“You must tell me all about yourself,” said Mrs. Perry. - -And he did--under her clever manipulation. - -“And I must tell you all about myself,” said Mrs. Perry. - -But she did not--again under her clever manipulation. - -When Gordon got up to go, the clock was chiming twelve o’clock at night. - -And when Gordon finally did go, the clock was chiming three o’clock in -the morning. - -They had been together for six hours.... - -Mrs. Perry asked Gordon to come again. - -He said that he would. - -And he did. - -The next night. - -And the next. - -And the next. - -And after that, he came every night--for two weeks. - -He didn’t go anywhere else. - -He didn’t want to go anywhere else. - -First, Gordon and Mrs. Perry left the pink drawing-room for the yellow -sitting-room. - -And then, they left the yellow sitting-room for the lavender boudoir. - -It was in the lavender boudoir one evening, at the end of the two -weeks, while they were smoking perfumed cigarettes, and sipping -absinthe, Mrs. Perry made a strange and startling statement. - -“Gordon,” said Mrs. Perry, “you must never come to see me again!” - -“What do you mean?” said Gordon. - -“I mean that you are a boy with a future,” said Mrs. Perry, “and I am a -woman with a past.” - -“Oh, don’t talk like that!” said Gordon. - -“But I must talk like that!” said Mrs. Perry, “you have a life before -you, I have a life behind me. We are not equally matched.” - -“We are!” said Gordon. - -“It isn’t fair,” said Mrs. Perry. - -“It is!” said Gordon. - -“We can’t be friends,” said Mrs. Perry. - -“We can,” said Gordon. - -“No--we can’t,” said Mrs. Perry, “and we--sha’n’t!” - -“But why--why?” said Gordon. - -“Because you are a dear sweet boy,” said Mrs. Perry, “and because I--I -have got a painted face!” - -“I love you,” said Gordon. - -“I have got a painted face,” repeated Mrs. Perry. - -“I love you,” repeated Gordon. - -“Do you love me--in spite of my painted face?” whispered Mrs. Perry. - -“No, I love you--on account of it!” whispered Gordon. - -And it was so. - -And she knew it. - -The surprise was--that he knew it. - -But Gordon had learned a lot--in two weeks.... - - - - -KARA THE FAITHFUL - - -WHEN the Rajah of Jurma was twenty-eight years of age, he believed -himself to be happy. - -But when the Rajah of Jurma was twenty-nine years of age, he _knew_ -himself to be happy. - -At twenty-eight, the Rajah had a noble title and a splendid fortune. - -But at twenty-nine the Rajah had also--a beautiful wife. - -So what more could mortal man desire? - -The Rajah had been brought up by a wise father. - -He had been taught self-restraint. - -And he had become a virtuous man. - -The Ranee had been brought up by a foolish mother. - -She had been taught self-indulgence. - -And she had become a vicious woman. - -The Rajah was kind and considerate. - -The Ranee was unkind and inconsiderate. - -But the Ranee had a beautiful face. - -And the Rajah had a bountiful fortune. - -So when he had sought her hand in marriage, she had readily consented. - -And the Rajah of Jurma deemed himself blessed. - -In the morning she would walk with him. - -And he would smile with satisfaction. - -In the afternoon she would talk with him. - -And he would laugh with happiness. - -In the evening she would lie in his arms. - -And he would weep with ecstasy. - -He provided her with silken robes and with jeweled ornaments. - -And she had a whole retinue of servants to wait upon her. - -She had men to hold umbrellas over her when she went out. - -She had men to sway fans above her when she stayed in. - -And she had women to dress her and to undress her, and to do her -bidding throughout the day and throughout the night. - -These, and more, had the Ranee. - -But the Rajah had--Kara. - -And the Ranee was--jealous. - -And something--else. - -Kara was the personal attendant of the Rajah. - -He was five years younger than his master. - -And five times handsomer. - -At least he seemed so--to the Ranee. - -Kara had been in the service of the Rajah for seven years. - -And he was highly thought of. - -He had proved himself worthy of the confidence that had been placed in -him. - -He had accompanied his master into danger. - -He had served him in health. - -And he had nursed him in sickness. - -So all this meant a great deal to the Rajah. - -(The Rajah had been brought up by a wise father.) - -But all this meant nothing whatever to the Ranee. - -(The Ranee had been brought up by a foolish mother.) - -The Rajah always saw in Kara a faithful servant. - -The Ranee only saw in Kara--a handsome man.... - -The Rajah had been married for almost a year. - -During that time he had never been separated from his wife for a single -day. - -But then he was summoned to the Viceregal palace, to consult with the -Viceroy on matters connected with the government of the Province of -Jurma. - -He was to be gone for six days. - -And so he was sad. - -He held his wife in his arms. - -She lay there limp. - -He kissed her on the mouth. - -She felt no thrill. - -He tore himself away. - -She heaved a sigh of relief. - -The Rajah left the palace with tears in his eyes. - -The Ranee went to her apartments with smiles on her lips. - - * * * * * - -That night the Ranee sent for Kara, the personal attendant of her -husband. - -“Why did you not go with your master?” said the Ranee. - -“It was not the wish of my lord,” said Kara. - -“And what _was_ the wish of your lord?” said the Ranee. - -“That I should remain with my lady,” said Kara. - -“And what were you to do for me?” said the Ranee. - -“I was to guard you,” said Kara. - -“Guard me--from what?” said the Ranee. - -“From--danger,” said Kara. - -“The only danger that I fear is--loneliness!” said the Ranee. - -The Ranee looked in Kara’s eyes. - -Kara looked on the ground. - -“It was at my wish that your master bade you stay,” said the Ranee. - -“Yes, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Did you know that?” said the Ranee. - -“No, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Well, what do you say now that you _do_ know it?” said the Ranee. - -“I thank you, my lady,” said Kara. - -“You thank me--for what?” said the Ranee. - -“For your trust, my lady,” said Kara. - -“I do not call it--trust,” said the Ranee. - -Kara was silent. - -“I call it--esteem,” said the Ranee. - -Still Kara was silent. - -“I admire you,” said the Ranee. - -Why did he not speak to her? - -“And I--shall be--lonely!” said the Ranee. - -Why did he not look at her? - -“Is there anything that I can do for my lady,” said Kara. - -His voice was the voice of a servant. - -“No, not to-night!” said the Ranee. - -Her voice was the voice of the mistress.... - - * * * * * - -The next night the Ranee sent for Kara a second time. - -“How long have you been with your master?” said the Ranee. - -“Seven years, my lady,” said Kara. - -“You have been in his personal service throughout that time?” said the -Ranee. - -“Yes, my lady,” said Kara. - -“And you have also been in his confidence?” said the Ranee. - -“Yes, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Then be in mine also,” said the Ranee. - -Kara looked surprised. - -“And let me be in yours,” said the Ranee. - -Kara looked bewildered. - -“Your master has had adventures?” said the Ranee. - -“Many, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Adventures with men?” said the Ranee. - -“Yes, my lady,” said Kara. - -“And adventures with--women?” said the Ranee. - -“No, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Oh, he must have!” said the Ranee. - -“I do not know, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Try to recollect!” said the Ranee. - -“I cannot, my lady,” said Kara. - -“You refuse to tell me?” said the Ranee. - -“I have nothing to tell, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Nothing to tell--after seven years!” said the Ranee. - -“My duty has been to serve him,” said Kara. - -“And your duty is now to amuse me!” said the Ranee. - -“I am sorry, my lady,” said Kara. - -“So am I!” said the Ranee. - -“Is there anything more, my lady?” said Kara. - -“No--you may go!” said the Ranee.... - -The next night the Ranee sent for Kara a third time. - -Kara stood at the door. - -“Come here!” said the Ranee. - -Kara came into the room. - -“Here before me!” said the Ranee. - -Kara approached her. - -“Here beside me!” said the Ranee. - -Kara hesitated. - -The Ranee sprang to her feet. - -She flung herself upon his breast. - -She curled her arms around his neck. - -She kissed him on the mouth. - -“I love you!” whispered the Ranee. - -He resisted her. - -He repulsed her. - -He pushed her away from him. - -“My lady!” cried Kara. “I--” - -“You--what?” said the Ranee. - -“I--must--go!” said Kara. - -“Why?” said the Ranee. - -“I am a servant,” said Kara. - -“I have forgotten that!” said the Ranee. - -“But I have not!” said Kara. - -“What do you mean?” said the Ranee. - -“I am the servant of the Rajah--your husband!” said Kara. - -“What of that?” said the Ranee. - -“I serve--_him_!” said Kara. - -“And not--me?” said the Ranee. - -“I serve--_him_!” repeated Kara. - -“You must serve me too!” said the Ranee. - -“In what way, my lady?” said Kara. - -“You must--love me!” said the Ranee. - -“I--cannot!” said Kara. - -“You--must!” said the Ranee. - -“I--will not!” said Kara. - -She flung her arms around him again. - -And again he pushed her away from him. - -“He will never know!” whispered the Ranee. - -“I cannot stay!” said Kara. - -“I will give you money!” said the Ranee. - -“I must go!” said Kara. - -“Do you know what you are doing?” said the Ranee. - -“I know, my lady!” said Kara. - -“And do you know what _I_ can do?” said the Ranee. - -“I know that too, my lady!” said Kara. - -“Very well, then!” said the Ranee; “you need not wait! You may go! But -you shall go--to the dungeon!” - -He stood silent. - -She hesitated. - -“Do you hear?” said the Ranee. - -“I hear, my lady,” said Kara. - -“Which do you choose,” said the Ranee; “the dungeon, and chains, or -gold, and _me_?” - -“I am the Rajah’s servant,” said Kara, “but it is for the Ranee to put -me in chains,--if she sees fit to do so!” - -“And by heaven, I _do_ see fit to do so!” said the Ranee. - -She struck a gong. - -A servant entered. - -“Call the guard!” said the Ranee. - -The servant clapped his hands. - -Two guardsmen appeared. - -“This man has made an attack upon me!” said the Ranee. “Put him in -chains, and throw him into the dungeon--until the Rajah returns!” - -The guard seized upon Kara, and led him out of the apartment of the -Ranee. - -And the Ranee, left to the women who came hurrying to her assistance, -gave way to a fit of rage. - -“The dog, the dog, the dog!” cried the Ranee. - -And, in her fury, she tore her veil to shreds. - -This veil was, in the East, the symbol of modesty.... - - * * * * * - -Three days later, the Rajah of Jurma returned to his palace. - -He went at once to the apartment of the Ranee. - -And the Ranee at once informed him of the attack made upon her by Kara, -his servant. - -“It seems incredible!” cried the Rajah. - -“But it is true!” cried the Ranee. - -“What did he do?” said the Rajah. - -“As soon as you went away,” said the Ranee, “in fact, the very first -night you were gone, he came to me and said that you had left him to -guard me, and that he meant to guard me from--loneliness! I dismissed -him. The next night he came a second time, and wanted to tell me of -your adventures--with women! I dismissed him again. And then the next -night he came a third time, and sprang upon me, and seized me in his -arms, and--” - -“He must be mad!” cried the Rajah. - -“Not at all!” cried the Ranee. - -“Where is he now?” said the Rajah. - -“He is in the dungeon!” said the Ranee. - -“What shall we do with him?” said the Rajah. - -“He must be punished!” said the Ranee. - -“Of course!” said the Rajah. - -“He should be whipped!” said the Ranee. - -“Very well,” said the Rajah. - -“And at once!” said the Ranee. - -“Without delay!” said the Rajah. - -“Have him brought here!” said the Ranee. - -The Rajah gave the order to a servant and in a short time Kara was -brought into the room, loaded with chains, and guarded by six men. - -Kara stood before the Rajah and the Ranee. - -His face was wan. - -His hair was wild. - -But his eyes-- - -His eyes were like the eyes of a faithful dog that has tried to lick -the hand of its master, and has been rewarded with a kick. - -Kara did not look at the Ranee. - -He only looked at the Rajah. - -“Kara, what thing is this that I hear--” began the Rajah. - -“Let him be whipped!” said the Ranee. - -“Kara, what demon possessed you that you should--” began the Rajah. - -“Let him be whipped!” cried the Ranee. - -“Kara--after all these years--” began the Rajah. - -“Shall I or shall I not be avenged?” cried the Ranee. - -“Let him be whipped!” said the Rajah. - -A strong man stepped forward. - -He bore a thick whip. - -And he lashed Kara across the back, again, and again, and again. - -Kara stood there, and never made a move, and never uttered a sound. - -“You are not hurting him!” cried the Ranee. “You are not trying to hurt -him! He does not feel it! Give _me_ the whip! Let _me_ punish him.” - -The Ranee sprang up from her couch, and seizing the whip from the -hands of the servant, herself began to brutally lash the body of the -unfortunate Kara. - -The flesh was ripped and torn. - -The blood streamed down his limbs. - -But still he made no move. - -And still he made no sound. - -The Ranee stopped. - -She turned to the Rajah. - -“Here, _you_ must whip him!” cried the Ranee. “It does not hurt him -coming from me! But it _may_ hurt him coming from you!” - -“But I--” began the Rajah. - -“I must be avenged!” cried the Ranee, “and _you_ must avenge me!” - -The Rajah took the bloodstained whip from the hands of the Ranee. - -He raised it aloft. - -But Kara fell to the ground before the blow was struck. - -He had fainted. - - - - -BETTY AND BUDDHA - - -Betty was tired of Bob. - -And Bert. - -And Reggie. - -So she took up with Buddha. - -Bob was too hot. - -Bert was too cold. - -And Reggie was neither hot nor cold--merely lukewarm. - -Men seemed all wrong. - -But Buddha seemed just right. - -One need never worry about him. - -He could always be relied upon. - -So Betty made a fuss of him. - -She got silver for his garments. - -And gold for his features. - -And pearls for his eyes. - -First she gave him a shrine. - -Then she gave him a corner of a room. - -And finally she gave him a whole room to himself. - -She got oriental draperies for the wall, oriental rugs for the floor, -and oriental odds and ends for every nook and cranny. - -And, last but not least, she got oriental silks and satins and -jewels--for herself. - -She said that these were for--Buddha. - -But, be that as it may, she looked very well in them. - -And, in her heart of hearts, she was well aware of the fact. - -Betty had never been on the stage. - -But she had acted--all her life. - -She had played the heroine in many little comedies and tragedies. - -And in this, her latest production--she had Buddha for the hero. - -Betty was not only a temperamental actress--she was also an artistic -stage manager. - -She had a wonderful eye for situations and effects. - -She always saw that the scenes were properly set. - -And she loved art for art’s sake. - -But to-day she wished that she had an audience to view the -performance--or, at any rate, that she had a few dramatic critics -present. - -It was matinee. - -The hour was four o’clock. - -Curtains were drawn over the windows. - -Candles were lighted in brackets. - -Incense was burning in braziers. - -And Betty wore her Eastern robes. - -She was draped in yellow silk. - -She was decked in golden ornaments. - -And she was possessed of the spirit of adoration.... - -She sang to Buddha. - -A song of praise. - -Her voice was sweet. - -She danced for Buddha. - -A dance of joy. - -Her steps were light. - -She prayed for Buddha. - -A prayer of peace. - -Her eyes were sad. - -“O Buddha!” cried Betty, “I would learn of thee! Teach me thy will!” - -She stood before him. - -But Buddha made no sign. - -“O Buddha!” cried Betty, “I do not ask for much--only for a little!” - -She knelt before him. - -Still Buddha made no sign. - -“O Buddha!” cried Betty. “I would be at peace! At peace with the -world!” - -She prostrated herself before him. - -And still Buddha made no sign. - -Betty waited. - -And waited. - -And waited.... - -All of a sudden there was a sound. - -Betty started. - -What could it be? - -The sound was repeated. - -It was a knock at the door. - -Betty heaved a sigh. - -She rose to her feet. - -“Come in!” said Betty. - -A servant entered the room. - -“What is it?” said Betty. - -“Mr. Billy is here,” said the servant. - -“Show him in!” said Betty. - -Her face was a study. - -The servant left the room. - -Betty went to a glass. - -She inspected herself. - -She was satisfied with the reflection. - -She had cause to be. - -A man entered the room. - -This was “Mr. Billy.” - -“Hello, Betty!” said Billy. - -“Hello, Billy!” said Betty. - -“Am I disturbing you?” said Billy. - -“Not at all!” said Betty. - -“Would you rather I went away?” said Billy. - -“On the contrary!” said Betty. - -She curled herself on her divan under a canopy. - -He perched himself on a stool beside her. - -She rattled her bracelets. - -He stroked his chin. - -“You look very charming,” said Billy. - -“I feel very happy,” said Betty. - -“May I ask what you have been doing?” said Billy. - -“You may,” said Betty. - -“And will you tell me?” said Billy. - -“I will,” said Betty. - -“Well?” said Billy. - -“I have been worshipping Buddha!” said Betty. - -“Not really?” said Billy. - -“Yes really!” said Betty. - -“Do you believe in him?” said Billy. - -“Of course!” said Betty. - -“I don’t!” said Billy. - -“You don’t believe in anything,” said Betty. - -“Oh, yes, I do,” said Billy. - -“Well, what do you believe in?” said Betty. - -“I believe in--you!” said Billy. - -“Be serious!” said Betty. - -“I am!” said Billy. - -“But Buddha is a god,” said Betty. - -“And you are a goddess,” said Billy. - -“But he answers my prayers,” said Betty. - -“And you answer mine,” said Billy. - -“Do I?” said Betty. - -“I hope so!” said Billy. - -“What do you pray for?” said Betty. - -“Shall I tell you?” said Billy. - -“I’ve asked you to,” said Betty. - -“I pray for love!” said Billy. - -“Ah!” said Betty. - -“For your love,” said Billy. - -“Oh!” said Betty. - -“Do you answer my prayer?” said Billy. - -“I--don’t--know!” said Betty. - -He leaned towards her. - -He took her in his arms. - -And he breathed his prayer--with a kiss. - -She shrank from him. - -She hid her face. - -And then she answered his prayer--and his kiss.... - -Her head, with its glittering ornaments, rested on his shoulder. - -Her arms, with their jingling bangles, twined around his neck. - -And her mouth, with its maddening caress, clung to his. - -The candles cast a soft glow over them. - -The incense sent a sweet odor around them. - -And Buddha kept a watchful eye upon them.... - -Billy was about to kiss her again. - -But Betty released herself from his embrace. - -She got up. - -She walked over to the shrine. - -And she turned Buddha around--so that he could not see. - -Then she went back to Billy--and answered his prayer, and his kiss--all -over again.... - - * * * * * - -In the beginning, we stated that Betty was tired of Bob. - -And Bert. - -And Reggie. - -And, in the end, we will state that Betty was tired of Buddha, too. - -Buddha was only a god. - -But Betty was not tired of Billy. - -Billy was--a man! - - - - -MRS. PEPPER IN PARIS - - -MRS. PEPPER went to Paris. - -She went alone. - -And so she was--lonely. - -Why had she ever left New York? - -Why had she ever wanted to leave New York? - -Why had she ever wanted to leave New York--alone? - -Tom had offered to go with her. - -And so had Dick. - -And so had Harry. - -But she had wanted to be alone. - -And she got what she wanted. - -And a great deal more. - -Good Lord! - -What a place! - -What a disgusting place! - -Nothing to see! - -Nowhere to go! - -Nothing to do! - -Who thought that Paris was gay? - -Mrs. Pepper didn’t! - -She thought that it was miserable. - -Who thought that French women were stylish? - -Mrs. Pepper didn’t! - -She thought that they were frumps! - -Who thought that French men were polite? - -Mrs. Pepper didn’t! - -She thought that they were boors! - -So she wrote to Tom, in New York. - -And to Dick, in New York. - -And to Harry, in New York. - -And she said, “I hate Paris!” - -In the morning, she walked--alone. - -Mile after mile. - -In the afternoon, she drove--alone. - -Hour after hour. - -In the evening, she dined--alone. - -Course after course. - -But what was the good of anything? - -Nothing! - -She met a Count. - -But he was a Frenchman. - -And a puppet. - -She met a Baron. - -But he was a Russian. - -And a savage. - -Then she met--a Man. - -He was an American. - -And a gentleman. - -She met him in the Bois de Boulogne. - -It was in the morning. - -She was walking. - -So was he. - -She was walking up. - -He was walking down. - -They met. - -He looked at her. - -She looked at him. - -They passed. - -He looked around. - -So did she. - -She walked on. - -He followed her. - -She knew when he was behind her. - -She knew when he was beside her. - -And then he spoke. - -“I beg your pardon!” said the Man. - -“What is it?” said the Woman. - -“Please do not misunderstand me,” said the Man. - -“I will try not to,” said the Woman. - -“I am an American,” said the Man. - -“Yes,” said the Woman. - -“I am here alone,” said the Man. - -“Well?” said the Woman. - -“And I am--lonely,” said the Man. - -“What has this to do with me?” said the Woman. - -“That is what I want to know,” said the Man. - -“Indeed?” said the Woman. - -“You are an American,” said the Man. - -“Yes,” said the Woman. - -“You are here alone,” said the Man. - -“I am,” said the Woman. - -“And you are--lonely,” said the Man. - -“I am--not,” said the Woman. - -“Oh, I thought you were!” said the Man. - -“Well, you have made a mistake!” said the Woman. - -“You _have_ misunderstood me!” said the Man. - -“No,” said the Woman, “_you_ have misunderstood _me_!” - -She walked away. - -He stood still. - - * * * * * - -That afternoon, when she drove, she saw the Man and he saw her. - -That night, when she dined, she saw the Man and he saw her. - -The next morning, when she walked, she saw the Man and he saw her. - -And so it went--morning, noon and night. - -Day after day. - -He never spoke. - -He never made a sign. - -And neither did she. - -But he was always--there. - - * * * * * - -Now he was a Man. - -And she was a Woman. - -He was an American. - -And so was she. - -So at last--one evening, in the foyer of the hotel, she bowed to him. - -He came over to her. - -She held out her hand. - -He took it. - -He looked into her eyes. - -She looked into his. - -“You _are_ lonely!” said the Man. - -“No,” said the Woman, “not any more!” - - * * * * * - -Mrs. Pepper wrote to Tom, in New York. - -And to Dick, in New York. - -And to Harry, in New York. - -And she said, “I love Paris!” - - - - -MOON-MADNESS - - -IT was noontime. - -Noontime in Bombay. - -Nana Lalla fared forth through the town. - -The streets were narrow and winding. - -They were lined with shops. - -Goldsmiths and silversmiths. - -Fruit-shops and sweet-shops. - -Merchants and money changers. - -Before these booths people stopped and stared. - -Bargained and bartered. - -Went in, or went on. - -Great throngs tramped up and down. - -To and fro. - -Shoulder to shoulder. - -Some in flowing robes. - -Some in scanty rags. - -Dogs trotted at one’s side. - -Bullocks pushed at one’s back. - -And all the time the sun shone in the sky. - -Shone like a ball of fire. - -It burned the world with its blazing beams. - -Nana Lalla hated the day. - -And she loathed the sun. - -She did not look to the left. - -Nor to the right. - -She looked straight before her. - -And she went her way. - - * * * * * - -It was midnight. - -Midnight in Bombay. - -Nana Lalla was in her room. - -She lay on her couch. - -Her eyes were open. - -But she was dreaming. - -Dreaming of sweet-smelling flowers. - -And soft-splashing fountains. - -And bright-beaming eyes. - -Of such things the poets prated. - -Of such things the singers sang. - -And Nana Lalla had read the poets’ rhymes. - -And Nana Lalla had heard the singers’ melodies. - -She delighted in these things. - -Delighted in them exceedingly. - -She tossed and she turned. - -She sighed and she sobbed. - -And then she arose. - -She went to the window. - -She looked through the lattice. - -The moon shone in the sky. - -Shone like a pool of silver. - -It bathed the world in liquid light. - -Nana Lalla loved the night. - -And she worshipped the moon. - - * * * * * - -Nana Lalla wound a scarf about her body. - -Draped a shawl over her head. - -And slipped sandals on her feet. - -She stole out of her room. - -She slipped out of the house. - -And once again she fared forth through the town. - - * * * * * - -Never had Nana Lalla known such a night. - -Never had Nana Lalla seen such a moon. - -So soft, and so silver. - -So gentle, and so gracious. - -And yet with all, so--maddening. - -Nana Lalla’s eyes sparkled. - -Nana Lalla’s hands trembled. - -And Nana Lalla’s heart beat high. - -Oh, could she only flee away from the city! - -Could she only flee away to the country! - -Could she only flee away--by the light of the moon! - -Or else--could only something happen! - -Something strange. - -Something sweet. - -If only-- - -Someone stood before her. - -Someone spoke to her. - -Someone touched her arm. - -It was a man. - -And yes--his eyes were sparkling too. - -His hands were trembling also. - -And his heart was beating as wildly as was hers. - -She could see. - -She could tell. - -She could feel. - -He and she were alone. - -Alone at midnight. - -And the moon was shining. - -How she loved the moon! - -And perhaps he loved it too. - -Nana Lalla was not afraid. - -Instead, she was full of hope. - -He must _love_ the moon--even as did she! - -So, when he touched her, she did not shrink away. - -When he took her in his arms, she yielded herself. - -And when he kissed her--she responded.... - -The Man always remembered Nana Lalla. - -He had loved her. - -And he thought that she had loved him. - -But Nana Lalla soon forgot the Man. - -She had not loved him. - -She had only loved--the Moon.... - - - THE END - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - -On page 60, spang has been changed to sprang. - -All other spelling has been retained as typeset. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOON MADNESS AND OTHER -FANTASIES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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