"Everything is marvellously involved in this poor world," said the
ancient poet. This is certain, that more than once life becomes so
involved that it is only to be cut like that Gordian knot of old. So was
it with Yosef.
A few years before he had come to Kieff full of confidence in his own
strength. It had seemed to him that he could push forward not only his
own fate, but that of others in a way chosen in advance. Meanwhile he
had convinced himself that in a short time he had lost the rudder even
of his own boat. He had been left to rush and save himself if he wished,
but he had to sail with the wind, and therewith he had little happiness
in life. In his case, as in that of all men, life, or rather the excess
of that seething of youthful years, had to pour out in the single but
very narrow direction of love for woman. There was little space between
the banks; hence the stream flowed too violently, so that in all Yosef's
past there were barely a few peaceful moments. He lacked little of
paying with his life for the past, and God knows there was nothing to
pay for. After the last incident with Helena the danger might be
renewed. Augustinovich feared relapse; happily his fears were not
justified.
Yosef improved continually. It was difficult to foresee how long he
would have to lie in bed yet; his weakness after the grievous illness
was very great, but his return to health was assured.
Augustinovich shortened the long hospital hours to the best of his power
and ability, but vain were his efforts to win back the old-time humor.
Recent events had made him sedate and sparing of words. He had lost many
of his old habits. From the time of Yosef's illness he had not visited
Pani Visberg even once, though she came rather often to inquire for
Yosef's health.
But if in this way events of recent days had acted on Augustinovich, how
much more had they acted on Yosef! Out of his long illness he rose a new
man altogether. He had no longer that lively, active, unbending
temperament. In his movements there was slowness, in his look heaviness,
and as it were indolence.
Augustinovich attributed this, and justly, to the weakness unavoidable
after such an illness, but soon he noticed in the sick man other things
foreign to him before. A certain marvellous indifference approaching
apathy broke through his words. He began to look at the world again, but
in a manner entirely different from that in which he had looked at it
earlier. He seemed to be capable of no vivacious feeling. It was
disagreeable to look at him; these changes had touched not merely his
moral side, he had changed physically also. His hair had grown thin, his
face was white and emaciated, his eyes had a sleepy look, he had lost
his former brightness. Lying whole days without movement, he looked for
hours together at one point in the ceiling, or slept. The presence of
any one did not seem to concern him.
All this alarmed Augustinovich, especially when he considered that in
spite of the speedy return of physical strength these symptoms, if they
yielded, yielded very slowly. He sighed when he remembered the former
Yosef, and he labored to rouse the present one, but the labor was
difficult.
A certain time Augustinovich, sitting by the bed of the sick man, read
aloud to him. Yosef was lying on his back; according to habit he was
looking at the ceiling. Evidently he was thinking of something else, or
was thinking of nothing, for after a certain time annoyance was
expressed on his face. Augustinovich stopped reading.
"Dost wish to sleep?"
"No, but the book wearies me."
Augustinovich was reading "Dame aux Camélias."
"Still, there is life and truth here."
"Yes, but there is not judgment to the value of a copper."
"Still, the book raises the question of such women!"
"But whom do such women concern?"
"They once concerned thee."
Yosef said nothing; on his face a slight thoughtfulness was evident.
After a time he asked,--
"What is happening with Helena? Has she been here?"
Augustinovich was confused.
"She has been here, she has been here."
"Well, and now?"
"That is--yes--she is sick, very sick."
Yosef's face continued indifferent.
"What is the matter with her?" asked he, leisurely.
"With her?--She--Well, I will tell thee the truth, only be not
frightened."
"Well?"
"Helena is no longer alive--she was drowned."
Some sort of indefinite impression shot over Yosef's face; he made an
effort as if to rise in the bed, but after a while he dropped his head
on the pillow.
"By accident or design?" asked he.
"Rest, old man, rest; it is not permitted thee to talk much. Later I
will tell everything."
Yosef turned to the wall and sank into silence. At that moment a servant
of the hospital entered.
"Pani Visberg wishes to see you," said he to Augustinovich.
Augustinovich went out; in the corridor Pani Visberg was waiting.
"What has happened?" inquired he, with concern. "Is some one sick?"
"No, no!"
"What then?"
"Lula has gone away!" said Pani Visberg, in a sad voice.
"Long ago?"
"Yesterday evening. I should have come here at once, for during the
whole week I had not heard from Yosef, but Malinka was so afflicted,
and had cried so much that I could not let her come. Lula has gone, she
has gone!"
"Why did she go?"
"It is difficult to tell. Maybe two weeks from the time that Yosef fell
ill, Pelski came again, and soon after proposed to her a second time.
She experienced no small suffering from that, for evidently the little
man had become attached to her seriously. Still she refused him, giving
as cause that she could not marry without attachment. I liked that
Pelski well enough. But that is not the point! The honest girl refused
him, naturally. How much she suffered during Yosef's sickness! But that
again is not the point. She and Pelski parted without anger, and he
undoubtedly found her that place in Odessa. Imagine to yourself my
astonishment when a few days ago she came to me and declared that
Yosef's illness was all that had delayed her departure, that now, when
he was better, she would not be a burden on me longer, that she wanted
to work for a morsel of bread, and would go. But, my God! was she a
burden to me? Malinka became educated and acquired polish in her
society; besides, I loved her."
Augustinovich thought awhile; only after long silence did he say,--
"No, kind lady! I understand Lula. When she took lodgings with you she
was a spoiled and capricious young girl, who thought that you were
receiving her for her coronet, and to be honored yourself; to-day she is
quite different."
"Do I reproach her with anything?" asked Pani Visberg.
"That is not a question. I understand how bitter it must have been for
you and your daughter to part with her, and it is too bad that you did
not let me know of this before. The person whom Yosef was to marry is no
longer alive."
"No longer alive?"
"She is not. But except pain for you, this departure will cause no harm.
Yosef has not passed examination for his medical degree; he must think
of that first of all, for it is his bread. When he recovers and assures
a sustenance for himself, he will go to Odessa after her, but for that
time is needed. Yosef has changed very much. It is no harm that Lula has
done everything that can raise her still more in his esteem."
Pani Visberg went away with a straitened heart. Augustinovich stood
awhile on one spot, then he shook himself from his meditation and took
on a gloomy look.
"She has rejected Pelski a second time," thought he; "she wants to work
for her living! Oh, Yosef, Yosef! even to go through greater suffering
than thine--"
He did not finish the thought which he had begun; he waved his hand, and
went to the chamber.
"What did Pani Visberg want?" asked Yosef, with an apathetic voice.
"Lula has gone to Odessa," answered Augustinovich, abruptly.
Yosef closed his eyes and remained motionless a long time. At last he
said,--
"It is a pity! That was a good girl--Lula."
Augustinovich gritted his teeth and made no answer.
* * * * *
The time came at last when Yosef left the hospital, and a month later he
passed his examination as doctor of medicine. It was a clear autumnal
day. The two friends, with their diplomas in their pockets, were
returning to the house. Yosef's face bore on it yet the marks of
disease, but otherwise he was perfectly healthy. Augustinovich walked
arm in arm with him; along the road they talked of the past.
"Let us sit here on this bench," said Augustinovich when they entered
the garden. "It is a beautiful day, I like to warm myself in the sun on
such a day."
They sat down. Augustinovich stretched himself comfortably, drew a long
breath, and said with gladsome feeling,--
"Well, old man! we ought to have had in our pockets for the last three
months these wretched rolls which we have received only to-day."
"True," replied Yosef, pushing away with his cane a few yellow leaves
that were lying at the side of the bench.
"The leaves are falling from the trees, and the birds are moving
southward," said Augustinovich. Then lowering his voice and pointing to
a flock of wagtails flying above the trees, he added,--
"But wilt thou not go south after the couriers of the sun?"
"I? Whither?"
"To the Black Sea--to Odessa."
Yosef bent, and remained silent for a long time, then he raised his
head; on his face was depicted something almost like despair.
"I love her no longer, Adam!" whispered he.
On the evening of that day Augustinovich said to Yosef,--
"We put too much energy into chasing after woman's love; later on that
love flies away like a bird, and our energy is wasted."
New Fiction
=The King's Henchman.= A Chronicle of the Sixteenth Century. Brought
to light and edited by WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON. 12mo. Cloth, extra,
gilt top. $1.50.
What is more noticeable than the interest of the story itself is
Mr. Johnson's intuitive insight and thorough understanding of the
period. While the book is Weyman in vigorous activity, it is Dumas in
its brilliant touches of romanticism.--_Boston Herald._
Mr. Johnson has caught the spirit of the period, and has painted in
Henry of Navarre a truthful and memorable historical portrait.--_The
Mail and Express of New York._
=The Duenna of a Genius.= By M. E. FRANCIS (Mrs. Francis Blundell),
author of "In a North Country Village," "A Daughter of the Soil,"
etc. 12mo. Cloth, extra, gilt top. $1.50.
An admirable novel; a pure, bright, pleasant, sparkling, wholesome,
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the story.--_Literary World._
A novel that doesn't sound a hackneyed note from beginning to
end.... One of the brightest, happiest, and most infectious of the
numerous stories that have a musical basis.--_Boston Herald._
Freshly told and charmingly conceived. Very delightful reading,
and, in these hurried and high-strung days, a genuine
refreshment.--_Boston Transcript._
=The Count's Snuff-Box.= A Romance of Washington and Buzzard's Bay
during the War of 1812. By GEORGE R. R. RIVERS, author of "The
Governor's Garden," "Captain Shays, a Populist of 1786," etc.
Illustrated by Clyde O. De Land. 12mo. Cloth, gilt top. $1.50.
A well-conceived and well-told story, from which the reader will
get an excellent idea of society and manners in the nation's capital
nearly a century ago.--_Boston Transcript._
Will rank as one of the successes of the year if there is any faith
to be put in a capital story in a frame fashioned of our own rugged
history.--_Denver Republican._
=Each Life Unfulfilled.= By ANNA CHAPIN RAY, author of "Teddy, Her
Book," etc. 16mo. Cloth, extra. $1.25.
A novel of to-day, dealing with American life. Its principal
characters are a young girl studying for a musical career, and an
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and in New York.
=Hassan. A Romance of Palestine.= By HENRY GILLMAN. Crown 8vo. 600
pages. Cloth, gilt top. $2.00.
The author of this powerful romance lived in Palestine for over
five years, and during his residence there had unusual and peculiar
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The pen-portraits of the people are studies made upon the spot, and
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A biblical, patriarchal, pastoral spirit pervades it. Indeed, the
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Mr. Gillman has certainly opened up a new field of fiction. The
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The impression made by reading the book is like that of witnessing
a great play, its scenes are so vivid, its characters so real, its
surrounding horizon so picturesque, its setting so rich and
varied.--_Philadelphia Item._
=Sielanka: a Forest Picture, and Other Stories.= By HENRYK
SIENKIEWICZ, author of "Quo Vadis," "With Fire and Sword," etc.
Translated from the Polish by JEREMIAH CURTIN. Uniform with the
other volumes of the Library Edition of Sienkiewicz. Crown 8vo.
$2.00.
This new volume by the most popular writer of the time includes the
shorter stories which have not before been published in the uniform
Library Edition, rendering it the only complete edition of his works
in English. It comprises six hundred pages, and contains the following
stories, dramas, etc.: Sielanka, a Forest Picture; For Bread; Orso;
Whose Fault, a Dramatic Picture in One Act; On a Single Card, a Play
in Five Acts; The Decision of Zeus; Yanko the Musician; Bartek the
Victor; Across the Plains; The Diary of a Tutor in Poznan; The
Lighthouse Keeper of Aspinwall; Yamyol (Angel); The Bull Fight; A
Comedy of Errors; A Journey to Athens; Zola.
Under the seventeen titles one finds almost as many aspects of the
genius of Sienkiewicz. Detached from the intricacies of an elaborate
composition, figures, scenes, and episodes become far more
effective.--_New York Times._
=In Vain.= By HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ. Translated from the Polish by
JEREMIAH CURTIN. 16mo. Cloth, extra. $1.25.
A love story of modern Poland, by the author of "Quo Vadis," not
before translated. The scene is laid at Kieff, and university life
there is described.
=The Story of Gösta Berling.= Translated from the Swedish of SELMA
LAGERLÖF, by PAULINE BANCROFT FLACH. 12mo. Cloth, gilt. $1.75.
When "Gösta Berling" was first published in Sweden a few years ago,
Miss Lagerlöf immediately rose into prominence, and, as Mr. E. Nesbit
Bain writes in the October "Cosmopolis," "took the Swedish public by
storm."
The sagalike treatment and almost lyric mood of "The Story of Gösta
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There is hardly a page that does not glow with strange beauty, so
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Something Homeric in its epic simplicity runs through the history
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=I am the King.= Being the Account of some Happenings in the Life of
Godfrey de Bersac, Crusader Knight. By SHEPPARD STEVENS. 16mo.
Cloth, extra. $1.25.
A fresh and invigorating piece of reading.--_Nashville American._
Characterized by those graceful touches which belong to true and
pure romanticism.--_Boston Herald._
It has the straightforwardness of the old-time story-teller.--_St.
Louis Globe-Democrat._
=The Duke's Servants. A Romance.= By SIDNEY HERBERT BURCHELL, author
of "In the Days of King James." 12mo. Cloth, extra. $1.50.
A highly successful romance, of general interest and of creditable
workmanship.--_London Athenæum._
=Pastor Naudié's Young Wife.= By ÉDOUARD ROD. Translated from the
French by BRADLEY GILMAN. 12mo. Cloth. $1.25.
M. Rod's new novel is a study of French Protestantism, and its
scene is laid in La Rochelle and Montauban, the two Huguenot
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=The Kinship of Souls. A Narrative.= By REUEN THOMAS. 12mo. Cloth,
extra. $1.50.
The author of this work is well known through his connection with
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undogmatic way in which the author discusses theology and philosophy
will interest the serious-minded.
=King or Knave, Which Wins?= An Old Tale of Huguenot Days. Edited by
WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON. 12mo. Cloth, extra. $1.50.
This is a sequel to the author's successful romance of the time of
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centres in the personality of the famous Gabrielle d'Estrées and the
efforts of Henry of Navarre to obtain possession of the throne of
France.
=The Miracles of Antichrist.= By SELMA LAGERLÖF. Author of "The Story
of Gösta Berling." Translated from the Swedish by PAULINE BANCROFT
FLACH. 12mo. Cloth, extra. $1.50.
This second important work from the pen of the successful author of
"Gösta Berling," which has created such a strong impression, will be
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poetry may here eat, drink, and be satisfied."
=A Boy in the Peninsular War.= The Services, Adventures, and
Experiences of Robert Blakeney, a Subaltern in the 28th Regiment.
An Autobiography. Edited by JULIAN STURGIS. With a map. 8vo. Cloth,
gilt top. $4.00.
In the pages of this book will be found a spirited picture of an
English soldier's life during the Peninsular War, with the allied
armies against Napoleon's generals.
LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, _Publishers_
254 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.