The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-02-06
k Madame Dufour to dinner to-mot-

"Do not ask me, pray" she answered.
81 wish it,
swell; nv dear, of course you know we
all study your wishes in everything" said
Mrs. Drummond humbly. 81 am sure, if
you like it, Ihave no objection; and sup
pose papa will have none."
"Thanks. A gentleman is coming from
London" then said Kate Iindiffssrently'
"what is the meaning of this, my boy?,
asked pretty Madame Dufour, when the
servant brought in 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
to heart how things stood with him and
were they prepared to receive her he loved
as their own?
"Shall go ?'' then asked Madame.
sob, yes! yes!" exclaimed Walter.
"Y ou wish it, my boy?'
"Wish it T! Do wish to live in heaven !"
he cried. Don't you know tits heaven to
me where you are 7"
''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?" answered
Walter innocently. skate is the mistress
of the Vicarage, not my mother"
"And she will not insult me again? She
will not punish me, Walter, for what l
cannot help-your love for me; and"-in
lower voice, a shy, sweet, tremulous
voice-''mine for you?"
On his knees before her, his fresh, young,
fervid face turned upward to hers as she
bent SO gracefully, so tenderly towards
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 protestations there was
nothing to fear, and his assurance of de-
fense, in breath and Madame Dufour,
smiling, radiant, lovely, turned to her
writing-table and wrote her acceptance of
the invitation on pink scented paper with
golden monogram and coronet on the
top.
''You see," she said, with a pretty laugh,
pointing it out to Walter. 81 am really a
countess but this is the only sign of my
state in which indulge myself. A 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
haye heard, Madame Dufour," " Clara
Bell" forgery ''actress," ''clever es
cape" "kliown bad character" uttered
more than once. But it came at last to a
conclusion, the gentleman saying warmly,
"But after all, miss, you have been the
cleverer of the two," as they turned up
the lane to the Vicarage, to dress for dim
| nor onI Madame D1fo,,r
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 bornding 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 shrugged
her shoulders over the words.
Graceful and soft were the few
sentences said, in her slow, half
stranger to Mrs. Drummond, who
received them awkwardly, half.timdly
as if conscious of the storm that was
brewing. And then she turned to the
Vicar, and made the old mans eye;
: sparkle with the caressing charm sh,
threw into such an ordinary salutation a.
that of guest to her host on entering
To Kate she bowed with pretty little al
of triumph, and glanced hastily at tn,
back of the gentleman from London
standing slightly apart and in th'
shadow.
81 think there is some one here wh'
knows you" then said Kate Hyslop
slowly. Mr.. Plumstead, you know thi
lady, I think?"
The gentleman from London turne'
quickly round.
: An unexpected meeting, Miss Clar
!, Bell" he said with a cruel laugh, an,
tapped her eXpressively on her shoulder
J One tleeting spasm of fear and agon,
transfigured her loveliness to horror a
he spoke, and then the candid blue eye
looked up straight into his, the sweet
small mouth quivered into its usual hall
g shy, half-plaintive smile, the graceful
< body swept long, low courtesy, and tn
: slvery voice said smoothly, "You ar
: under some mistake, sir. My name !
/, Madame Dufour-Caroline Dufour-and
4 have not the honor to know you"
"Game to the last, L see !" laughed MI
Plumstead coarsely. "But the day
: reckoning is come, my lady, and you
). fine airs go for nothing. You have bee
wanted for some time, you know, for ths
d little mistake you made about youn
: Charlie Lawson's, name to that check yo
presented. By the look of things, II
9 afraid we shan't get much out of the fiji
d there" he added, in kind of aside; IAN
. now I've found Won I don't ,,aon m I.
l you go again, promise you. You ha,
S no right to complain; you hay
t had a pretty long innings, all things col
e sidered."
t "Walter! kill him ~ shrieked MADAM
e Dufour, turning wildly to her youn
e lover. She had no need to urge hin
Already his hands were twisted in IL
U neckcloth of the detective, when, quick
thought, Mr.. Plumstead drew a trul
; cheon from his pocket, and gave the be
i blow that rendered further interferen,
from him impossible.
e "My boy my boy! You have killt
him !" cried the miserable woman, film
n ing herself on her knees beside hiI
g "Walter! look up speak to me! BRAY
e good, innocent boy, speak to me on
: again ~ she kept on repeating, while sol
} without tears-thOse terrible sobs of fe
l. mingled with anguish-shook her who
k frame, as she crouched close to the. pa
y face, kissing it wildly.
e Insolent abandoned 20 said Kate,
, deep tones, striking her hands from VIZ
, ter's face. "Your place is not there"
n "Ah! but | loved him!" plead,
+ Madame Dufour, with unconscious pathC
J. "Whatever may be, loved him 10
stake her away" said Kate, sternl
| Ghr loo or hat l..