Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-03-15

5 stammered Walter. flinging himself on
4 fOOtstOol by her side. He was pale an
r agitated, but his eyes told the old stor,
as eloquently as they had always told ii
: Glow can | ever thank you for all you
| kindness to me?"
] BY not assuming that | have bee
kind at ALL she said; 'or." light,
| touching his shoulder with her fan, ''b,
| putting it the other way, Mr.. Walter, an,
: counting me grateful to YOU"
The young man Hung back his head
Z Madame DufOur's fair face flushed, an,
[ her eyes dropped at the love that was il
e his.
= He took her hand and carried it to hi
: lips. Better than the wealth of tn,
world.' he murmured in a low voice
but she, playfully pulling one of hi
brown curls. said in a pretended ange
that was more bewitching than even hel
Kindness, THAT is what you deserve
naughty boy. You presume too much
mon ami.'
: just then ring came to the from. door
ITEMS. who can that be-" she cried
: with surprised eyebrows.
, Walter first crimsoncd like a schOolbOy
caught. and then turned pale like mar
before whom is struggle unto death
lie knew who it was. crrarly enough
and Madame DufOur read his knowledge
in his face.
So. the battle had come, had it? Bicn
She was ready.
She never raised herself from her lOung
ing attitude, but even curled herself
round into softer lines. The tender man
ner grew more tender. the sweet. low
voice more caressing, the creeping touch
of her long white hand more velvety. Il,
it first pushed back the golden fringe thai
shadOwed her forhead, then rested on Wal
ter's chestnut heal; the tremulOus face
no longer dimpled with smiles or quiver.
ed with sympathy, but took on itself d
mask half mOcking. half impassive, and
wholly irritating 10 an antagonist; and
then Miss Hyslop was ushered into the
room. to find the siren in her most dam
gerous mood. surrounded by her mos
bewitching accessories, with her own
lover, who was also her rivals, sitting at
her feet. worshipping.
Miss HyslOp! how very kind. ~ said
Madame DufOur, in pretty, languit
voice. "A rare pleasure, but none tn,
less welcome" she aided, Offering hel
hand.
IL came for Mr.. DrummOnd, Madame
DufOur; not to pay you visit" sait
Kate, in her s.onest manner. 'Walter
you are wanted at home"
Poor Walter. hope he is not to bt
scolded very severely at home," sait
Madame Dufour, with mOcking accent
"Who wants me:" asked Walter indif
ferently.
81" said Kate.
"Your pleasure?" was Walters reply
not looking up.
"Iprefer not to discuss my affairs il
public.r said Kate. Il want you; tina
is enough; so, if you please, Walter
come; and at once"
Il am engaged" said Walter; 81 can
not"
Madame Dufour, l must ask your as
sistauce." then said Kate, turning to her
rival. '.Will you kindly command Mr.
Drummond to obey me?'
What an extraordinary proposition y
laughed the siren. "What do you take
me for, Miss HyslOpY'
"What do | take you fOr?" repea ed
Kate, very slowly. and cycling her keenly
We'll, might take you for many thing
for an actress. say; or an adventures
for runaway; perhaps for woman whC
ought to be-where shall say Pm Mill
bank for forgery, like that Clara Bell the
papers were so full of just before yOr
came here; or might take you for al
homes. woman, intending no evil to any
one, and careful to avoid scandal. Iou
see, Madame Dufour, stranger as yOl
are may be anything. Who knows 2"
During Kate's speech Madame Du
fOur's face had not changed {
muscle. save The faintest quivering of hel
upper lip, and the sudden starting of bis
drops both on it and on her brow.
"YOu have fertile fancy, Mis-
J Hyslop," she drawled out with littl'
laugh. Really your rOll-call of possibil
ities is so crowded, | cannot remcmbe
half my probable characters"
Have you taken leave of your senses
Kate 2" demanded Walter sternly.
No: but you have" she replied, a
sternly. "Again ask, Walter, will yO'
7 leave Madame DufOur and come will
me"
"And again answer, will not" salt
Walter, taking the long white hand in his
. You have made it necessary, Kate. tina
some one should protect Madame from in
, suit; and will be the one to do So"
2 "POor simpleton.'' said Kate with dis
} dain. "YOu are greater fool, Walter
, than | took you for; and never though
| you very wise. However, your wisdom
r or your folly is no business of mine.
!, have done my duty; and you must act a
| you choose"
=. Without another word she turne
5, round, and went out and as she shut tn
l street-dOOr after her Madame DufOur san
into Walters arms in violent fit of sOt
e bing and weeping and Walter, hOldin
: her to his heart, kissed away her tear;
and told her that he loved her better tina
: life itself, and that he would devote hi
life to her service, now and for ever.
"Dear bOy!" she said, at length, smi
ing through the disorder of her passion
{. "It was worth the anguish of endurin
= her insOlence to know that have such
1 preux chevalier-that have such ga
liant soul from so ungenial fate!'
: And while this scene was takin
= place Kate was walking hOmewar
. . through the lane, muttering, half alOu(
y " l wonder if that shaft struck true!
8 : could not read her face. | wonder if it
= = she, after all! That foolish fellow! Br
, l will not let him go. all the same. h
I. suits me and he will soon forget tn:
= wicked woman when he finds out what sf
o is, if she is as believe her to be. If sf
: is not"
: But this thought displeased her. an
y she put it from her to indulge the dreal
a that she was what certain letter.
: : ceived that morning from London in al
:, swer to one of inquiry from her tOuchin
= a suspicion she had enterts ined from Il
y first-gave great cause to suppose.
Kate was so far wise in her generate
y that she could hold her peace. Havir
!, shot her bolt, she could afford to wait ii
n result. Accordingly, when Walter IT
# turned home late in the evening, she r
ceived him with the quiet stolidity cor
/. mon to her and neither by word or loo
> made the fAintest reference to the storm
q scene that had taken place at Elm Cottas
|. that morning. She prevented. too, the
! proaches with which his father and m
!. ther were charged and gained goldt