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

'Or 0etectlVe.' SAID hate with en-
phasis; when some gOOd-natured frien
reported to her wha. the newcomer ha
said.
The word struck. 1t was bitter an
cruel but then bitter things and crue
always do strike; and Miss IIyslop'
sharp surmise made the round of the par
ish underhand. folks whispering anon,
themselves, "She is not so far out, ism
our Wears young lady: and maybe tn
detective will light on our fine Madam
some day, at last" But no one said thi
10 herself, and the pretty stranger still
lived in the sunshine and nOuriShed hersel
on incense.
Walter Drummond's habits were chang
ing. From docile, steady, methodica
young man. in 10 time. proven bially good
natured it not very bright, and as limo
Gently candid As child, he was fast be
coming irregular. uncertain. and reticent
He was always out, and no one knew
where: nor would he explain when he cam,
home, silent and depressed As no one had
ever seen him before. Neither his mothers
business nor his fiancee's pleasures touch
ed him.
Kate looked on at this change, anC
said nothing. She had evidently her owl
lIlil'l VII lDC &. anu
who knew her, was quite aware of tht
future preparing for her boy. But sht
wisely left them to fight i. out betweel
them, knowing that the struggle had tt
come, if not about one thing then abOu
another; and Kate had to be crowned
queen when all was over.
walter, | want you to ride with me
to-day" said Kate one morning.
| am vary Snrry - no N xy.ral bn
riedly; Il cannot to-day"
No! Why?''
81 have the boat to look to-" he said
She fixed her cold eyes on him steadily
and her look brought the blood into hi.
face.
Are you going to visit Madame Du
four again?" she said scornfully. You
need not speak, Walter. your looks are an.
swer enough" she added. pray dom
add falsehOod to the list of your lately
acquired accomplishments. It is what
have long suspected; what. knowing you
and how weak you are, | foresaw from
the first"
"And what is it you suspected and fore.
saw from the first, may ask" said Wal.
ter angrily.
'Why should say it? You know a:
well as l !; and don't care to dig in plow
ed ground" she answered slowly.
IL will not allow your insinuatiOns !"
said Walter with vehemence.
win you not? But if l choose tc
make thcm?"
"Then will not listen to them," he
said.
Your friend shall, Walter" said Kate
deliberately.
"Kate. you are trying me too far ~ he
cried. "What folly is this you have taker
Ip?"
"No folly at all, Walter-on my side
will fOrbear to characterize what you
have taken up, on yours. | only know
the facr, that all these long absences OF
yOurs-these mysterious affairs which
occupy you from morning to night-mea
simply thai you are spending the time
you deny to us with this Madame Dufour
say no more, and inSinuate no moreno
more at least" she added with a slight
sneer, "than your own conscience ech'
Oes."
And if | do see Madame Dufour at
times. am | not master of my own ac.
tions?" said Walter.
~ also Of my own Thoughts" she re-
piled.
"YOu are free to be your own mistres:
for all time, and in all ways, so far as
am concerned" said Walter Indignantly
great hope irradiating his face as he
spoke.
"Thanks," she answered, her monoto
nous voice as calm as ever. Y on meant
that for magnanimity, daresay but
shall not accept il. | always have been
and always mean to be my own mistress
under all circumstances; you know that
Walter. But we have wandered from Ou
point-will you ride with me to-day?"
:" l told you before, l cannot" sait
Walter sullenly.
"Very weli,' she answered; but Meth
er shall Madame DufOur.'
She rose on this and walked steadil,
and quietly out of the room, leaving Wal
| ter with the sensation that thunderbOl
had fallen at his feet.
Kate had seen clearly and spoken truly
| Walter had carried to the beautiful stran
ger the inner wealth of a nature which
until now, had been given to no one. III
had engaged himself to Kate HyslOp tw
years ago, it is true; but it was thin,
that had been done for him, more thai
one which he had voluntarily chosen TO
himself. His parents wished it; Kate
father had wished it; and Kate hersel
| wished it-which clenched the matter
| At the best, however, Kate was only +
him like sister; not always so nice, an
not always so dear.
When Madame Dufour came, tn
chained fountain leaped into life and melC
dy. To say that he loved her is to sa
little. 1t was alteration more than con
mon love. He loved her as he had neve
loved before, as he had no provision h
could have ever loved at all. And She
well she first played, and then she learn,
He was 'her boy" she used to say wit
those sweet lips of hers that looked as
they had not been in existence more tina
twenty years at mOst-kate Hyslop a
ways said she was long past thirty, an
''made up;" and the youth - just tw
wears older than she looked-lOnged {
tell her that. if he was boy to her in tt
humility of his devotion, the nothingnes
of his personality, he was man to hin
self in the passion and power of his low
But, now, What was he to do? Brougf
face to face with Kate's net unfOunde
suspicion and not unrighteous wrath, b
felt that he must take step as decided
it would be final. He must choose whic
to do; abandon Madame DufOur, or brea
with his betrothed cease to visit the or
he loved better than his life-and if 81
what reason to give her, she who was
far above him ne dared not even hint
his love ?-or he must disappOint his p
rents, break his plighted word, and di
tress one whose only fault was her love II
him and her claim to be loved in return
At luncheon-time he rushed OF to Eli
Cottage, thinking only that, come VIII
would, he should see her once again.
Was he expected? Half lying, half 81
ting on the sofa, was Madame Dufou
dressed, as she always did dress, in II
! most exquisite, the most seductive mai
, ner; indeed, she did not dress, she drape'
On q small table, covered with ruby-co
, ored velvet, stood wine, fruit, and flower
and large bowl of old Venetian glas
: full of ice. 1t was ethereal food for lu
cheon; but Madame Dufour was ethere
: in her food, and often SPOKE with laug
1 e Al f.-ks II n