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

Gus woman here
"Do not ask me. pray" she answered.
Il wish it
well. my dear. of course you know We
all study your wishes in everything.' said
Mrs. DrummOnd humbly. II am sure, il
you like il. have no objection; and sup
pose papa will have none"
Thanks. \ gentleman is coming from
London then said Kate indiffcrently.
What is the meaning of this. nv boy:''
asked pretty Madame Duiour, when the
servant brought in a note from the Vicar
age. requesting the pleasure of her COM
pany at dinner tomorrow at half past six
O'Clock.
Walter was startled. too. What did it
mean: Had his father and mother taken
/ 10 heart how things stood with him: and
were they prepared 10 receive her he loved
| Us their own?
J "Shail go?" then asked Madame.
''nh, yes. yes.' exclaimed Walter.
"lou wish it. my bOy:''
"WiSh it. DO wish u live in heaven '"
he cried. Don't you know it is heaven to
me where you are:''
but this terrible Miss Kate: will she
! like to see me-"
''Oh don't you know that my mother
would not have asked you else:' ans wered
Walter innoccntly. kate is the mistress
of the Nicarage. not my mother"
And she will not insult me again: She
will not punish me, Water, for what
cannot heip-your love for me; and''-in
a lower Voice. :. shy, sweet, trcmulOuS
vOice-"mine tor you:'
On his knees before her. his fresh. young.
ftrvid face turned upward to hers as she
h,t nj n OILY lou L.
him. his glad eyes dark and moist. with
the passionate love which at last had found
its home, Walter poured forth his thanks,
his alteration. his protestatioGs there was
nothing 10 fear. and his assurance of de-
fcnSe. in breath and Madame Duiour.
smiling, radiant, lovely. turned To her
writingtablc and wrote her acceptance of
the invitation on pink scented paper with
4 golden monogram and cOronet on the
top.
"lOu see," she said. with pretty laugh,
pointing il ont 20 Walter. Il am really u
countess but this is the only sign of my
state in which indulge myself. \ cOun-
tess with couple OF maids in a remote
English village.'
The gentleman from London came. true
to his time: and Kate took it on herself
to show him the one local lion, namely.
the church, with its old monuments, its
fine Norman arch, its quaint carvings, and
the like. Their talk was interesting
meanwhile; but it was not on the things
they went TO see and listener might
have heard, Madame Dufour." "Clara
Bell" forgery" actress" 'clever es
cape" known bad character uttered
more than once. But it cane at last TO a
conclusion. the gentleman saying warmly,
] R,rt off oil haa ha
cleverer of the twO," rs they turned up
/ the lane to the Vicarage. to. dress for din
ner-and Madame Dutour.
! Exactly at the half-hOur she came: more
enticing than ever, thought Walter, as
he flew into the hall TO receive her. He
brought her into the room. leaning on his
arm, his poor foolish heart bounding with
pride and joy. Kate and his as yet un-
annulled engagement with her were
alike forgotten, as he led his queen. his
saint, his idol, to his mother and it was
with difficulty that he prevented himself
from saying out before them all, "MOth-
er. take her to your heart; she is your
daughter"'
He did. however, hold his peace. and
only Kate read him clearly. and -hrugged
her shoulders over the words.
| Graceful and soft were the few
sentences said, in her slow, half
lisping voice, by the fair faced
| stranger to Mrs. DrummOnd. who
received them awkwardly, half-timidlv.
as if conscious of the storm that was
brewing. And then she turned to the
Vicar, and made the old mans eyes
| sparkle with the caressing charm she
threw into such an ordinary salutatiOn as
that of a guest To her host o. entering.
| To 70. h,f f,Nt a itf1 oiv
of triumph. and glanced hastily at the
back of the gentleman from London,
standing slightly apart and in the
shadow.
Il think there is some one here who
knows you" then said Kate HyslOp,
slowly. Mr.: Plumstead, you know this
lady. Think
The gentleman from London turned
quickly round.
An unexpected meeting, Miss Clara
Bell" he said with cruel Il Igh. and
tapped her eXpressively on her shoulder.
One flecting spasm of fear and agony
transfigured her lOveliness to horror as
he spoke, and then the candid blue eyes
looked up straight into his, the sweet,
small mouth Quivered into its usual half.
shy, half-plaintive smile, the graceful
BODY swept long, low courtesy. and the
silvery voice said smoothly. "YOu are
under some mistake, sir. My name ]:
Madame Dufour-CarOline DufOur-and
have not the honor to know YOU"
.'Game to tie last, see ~ laughed Mr.
Plumstead cOarsely. "But the day Of
reckoning is come. my lady, and yOul
fine airs go for nothing. You have beer
wanted for some time, you know, for thai
little mistake you made about young
Charlie LawsOn's name to that check yOt
presented. By the look of things. I'm
: afraid we shan't get much out of the fir,
there" he added, in kind of aside; ant
now I've found you don't mean 90 le
you go again, promise you. You have
! no right to complain; you hav'
had pretty long innings, all things con
|, sidered."
"Walter, kill him :" shrieked Madam,
lover. She had no need to urge him
Already his hands We're twisted in tin
neckclOth of the detective, when, quick a
thought, Mr.. Plumstead drew a trun
cheon from his pocket. and gave the boy
blow that rendered further interference
from him impossible.
my boy my boy! You have killc'
him :" cried the miserable woman, fling
! ing herself on her knees beside him
: "Walter. look up! speak to me! Brave
, good, innocent boy, speak to me one
again :" she kept on repeating, while sob
: without tears-those terrible sobs Of fea
: mingled with anguish-shOOk her Who'll
( frame, as she crouched close to the pal
7 face, kissing it wildly.
e Insolent. abandoned =" said Kate. i
: deep tones, striking her hands from Wa
: ter's face. Your place Is not there"
4 "Ah. but 1 loved him. pleade
: Madame Dufour, with unconscious patno'
: "Whatever | may be. loved him.
"Take her away" said Kate, sternly
( ''She has stood between us long enough.
4 " "They shall not take me-" sh
@ screamed. hut Mr. Plnmsfaa bent Owe