The Reason Why

ut his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study. Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to

it to her-from ear then-the afternoon she lay dying, and for him, as for them all, it was indissolubly connected with her memory. The tears were slowly tric

e Borghese Gardens-there would be no canaries! The sun always shone and Maman would wear a beautiful dress of blue gauze with wings, and her lovely hair, which was fair, not red like Chérisette's, would be all hanging down. It surely was a very desirable place, and quite dif

nd Zara, as they came up the stairs; it made them hasten thei

coming until they opened the door; and then he looked up, his beautiful dark

thed and comforted and caressed. Oh, if he could always be w

th, and some pretty cups and saucers, and spoons, and knives, and forks-and see! such buns!

orefinger-he had Mimo's caressing ways with everything he admired and loved. He had never broken his toys, as other children do; accidental catas

aper cap Mimo made for him and the towel his sister had for an

even bought a vase of the same china, in which she placed a bunch of autu

ing all unsightly things, and yesterday Mimo had bought from the Tottenham Court Road a cheap basket armchair with bright creto

, could they have seen those tempestuous eyes of

ul view of the sea he would get from his bedroom windows; how pretty and fresh it all looked, how there were pine woods to walk in, and how she would-presently-co

?" said Mirko. "Where were

isette is going also to a new home;

tell him about it she answered vaguely, and

ette? Because there, there would be enough place

was sitting at the writing table, the telephone in his hand. He wel

in the country to-day, seeing some friends.-No-not to-morrow-she goes to the country again, and to Paris the following night-To the station? I will ask her, but perhaps she is like me, and

é is very anxious to see you

t was understood; he shall not come to the

ist; tell me

elf-her face ha

that you said I might order for him, and I hope and think he will be comfortable and happy. He has a very beautiful, tend

ecognizing the child. "The sins of the fathers"-was his creed and he never forgot the dying Emperor's words. He had lost sight of his niece for nearly two years after his sister's death. She had wished for no communication with him, believing then that he had left her mother to die without fo

efused. And it was only when they were in dire poverty, and he had again written asking his niece to come and stay with him for a few we

im she felt keenly how he ha

lf. I have ventured to send some sables for your inspection up to your sitting room; it will be cold traveling. I hope you will select what you wish. And remember, I desire you to order the most c

eception of an order.

e a beautifully dressed woman, so you will know all the best places to go to. But please to remember, while I give you unlimited resources for you to do what I

irst importance. With strict economy Mimo could live upon what he posse

our word of honor about t

y now. She arose from the chai

equired or no," she said, "but if it will be

tled, and, I hope, to the

y. "Who is ever happy?" Then she

human beings who are ideally happy." And with this enigmatic announcem

not Mimo, but her future husband? Then she smiled grimly. It was not very likely he would be happy-a beast, like the rest of men, who, marrying her only for her uncle's money, havi

concerned he would

ver it. All she could feel was that Mirko was being cared for, that she was keeping her word to her adored mother. S

in her sitting-room, her white fingers passing from one divine air to another, until at

place for us both"-Who knows

they came out of the dining-room, and, while it made the fin