The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-02-06

phasis; when some good-natured friend
reported to her wha. the newcomer had
said. -0''
The word struck. 1t was bitter and
cruel; but then bitter things and cruel
always do strike, and Miss Hyslop's
sharp surmise made the round of the par
ish underhand, folks whispering among
themselves, "She is not so far out, isn't
our Wears young lady: and maybe the
detective will light on our fine Madame
some day, at last" But no one said this
to herself, and the pretty stranger still
lived in the sunshine and nourished herself
on incense.
Walter Drummond's habits were chang.
ing. From a docile, steady, methodical
young man, in to time, proven bially good
natured If not very bright, and as inno-
Gently candid as child, he was fast be-
coming irregular, uncertain, and reticent.
lie was always out, and no one knew
where; nor would he explain when he came
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, and
said nothing. She had evidently her own
mind on the matter; and Mrs. Drummond
who knew her, was quite aware of the
future preparing for her boy, But she
wisely left them to fight it out between
them, knowing that the struggle had to
come, if not about one thing then about
another; and Kate had to be crowned
queen when all was over.
Walter, 1 want you to ride with me
to-day" said Kate one morning.
81 am very sorry" he answered hur-
riedly; 81 cannot to-day"
NO! Why ?"
g have the boat to look to-" he said.
She fixed her cold eyes on him steadily,
and her look brought the blood into his
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 don't
add falsehood to the list of your lately
acquired accomplishments. 1t is what
have long suspected; what, knowing you,
and how weak' you are, l foresaw from
the first.'
"And what is it you suspected and fore
saw from the first, may askp" said Wal
ter angrily.
"Why Should say it? You know as
well as I I; and / don't care to dig in plow.
ed ground" she answered slowly.
~ will not allow your insinuations y
SdiN w dllSl Nllll
"Will you not? But if | choose tc
make them?''
"Then l will not listen tc t,iem," he
said.
/" Your friend shall, Walter" said Kate
deliberately.
"Kate, you are trying me too far ~ he
cried. "What folly is this you have takel
.lp?n
mo folly at all, Walter-on my side
will forbear TO characterize what yor
have taken up, on yours. | only know
the fact, that all these long absences o
yours-these mysterious affairs which
occupy you from morning to night-mea
simply that you are spending the time
you deny to us with this Madame Dufour
| say no more, and insintlate no moreno
more at least, - she added with Sigh
sneer, than your own conscience ech
oes."
"And if l do see Madame Dufour a
times, am not master of my own ac
tions?" said Walter.
81 also of my own thoughts" she re
piled.
for all time, and in all ways, so far as
am concerned" said Walter Indignantly
great hope irradiating his face as h,
spoke.
Thanks" she answered, her monoto
nous voice as calm as ever. I" You mean
that for magnanimity, | daresay; but
shall not accept it. | always have been
and always mean TO be my own mistres
under all circumstances; you know that
Walter. But we have wandered from ou
point-will you ride with me to-day? 2"
81 told you before, | cannot" sal,
Walter sullenly.
"Very well,' 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 4 nature which
until now, had been given to no one. II
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 70
himself. His parents wished it; Kate
father had wished it; and Kate herse
At the best, however, Kate was only +
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 learnt
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
years older than she looked-longed t
tell her that, if he was boy to her in tn
humility of his devotion, the nothingnes
of his personality, he was man to hin
self in the passion and power of his love
But, now, what was he to do? Brough
face to face with Kate's not unfounde
suspicion and not unrighteous wrath, h
felt that he must take step as decided a
it would be final. He must choose whic
to do; abandon Madame Dufour, or brea
with his betrothed cease to visit the on
he loved better than his life-and if sc
what reason to give her, she who was S
far above him he dared not even hint 8
his love ?-or he must disappoint his ps
rents, break his plighted word, and dii
tress one whose only fault was her love fc
him and her claim to be loved in return
At luncheon-time he rushed off to Eli
Cottage, thinking only that, come whs
would, he should see her once again.
Was he expected? Half lying, half si
ting on the sofa, was Madame Dufoul
dressed, as she always did dress, in tn
most exquisite, the most seductive MAI
ner; indeed, she did not dress, she drapeC
On 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 lul
| chann hut Madanna DufnIlr WAS ethares