Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-03-15

day; Kate Hysfop alone refusing to bleai
| with the rest, or to burn incense at heI
shrine.
From the first there was a distinct an.
tagonism between these two women
and from the first Kate hated Madame
Dufour, and Madame Dufour feared Kate
'She fatigues me with her vivacity
she sickens me with her theatrical senti-
ment, and her affectation of grace is toe
transparent for anything but contempt y
Kate said scornfully, when asked if Mad
anne Dufour was not charming.
/ While she on her side said, with pref.
ty action she had with her hands, ''Miss
Kate Hyslop? She is the ice-maiden
bound in chains! she makes me shuddeI
as if she was ghost"
"Or detective" said Kate with en-
phasis; when some good-natured friend
reported to her wha. the newcomer had
said.
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 70 time, proven bially good
natured If not very. bright, and as inno-
Gently candid as a 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 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, want you to ride with me
to-day" said Kate one morning.
=" am very sorry" he answered hur-
riedly 81 cannot today
mo! 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 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. It is what |
have long suspected; what, knowing you,
and how weak you are, foresaw from
the first"
Sand what is it you suspected and fore
saw from the first, may ask?" said Wal
ter angrily.
"Why should say it? You know as
we'll as and don't care to dig in pl ow-
ed ground" she answered slowly.
II will not allow your insinuations J"
said Walter with vehemence.
will you not? But if 1 choose to
make them?''
"Then 1 will not listen to them," he
said.
"Your friend shall, Walter" said Kate
deliberately.
skate, you are trying me too far !" he
cried. "What folly is this you have taken
app
"No folly at all, Walter-on my side.
Il Will lOIDCdI W WIldb YOU
have taken up, on yours. l only know
the facr, that all these long absences of
yours-these mysterious affairs which
occupy you from morning to night-mea 1
simply that you are spending the time
you deny to us with this Madame Dufour.
I say no more, and insinuate no moreno
more at least" she added with a slight
sneer, than your own conscience ech-
oes."
"And if 1 do see Madame Dufour at
times, am not master of my own ac-
tions?' said Walter.
81 also of my own thoughts" she re-
piled.
"You are free to be your own mistress
for all time, and in all ways, so far as l
am concerned" said Walter Indignantly,
a great hope irradiating his face as he
spoke.
Thanks" she answered. her monoto-
nous voice as calm as ever. You meant
that for magnanimity, 1 daresay; but
shall not accept it. always have been,
and always mean to be my own mistress
under all circumstance you know that,
Walter. But we have wandered from our
point-will you ride with me to-day ?'
told you before, 1 cannot" said
Walter sullenly.
Very well, she answered; but neith-
er shall Madame Dufour.'
She rose on this. and walked steadily
and quietly out of the room, leaving Wall
ter with the sensation that thunderbolt
had fallen at his feet.
Kate had seen clearly and spoken truly.
Walter had carried to the beautiful stran-
ger the inner wealth of nature which,
until now, had been given to no one. He
had engaged himself to Kate Hyslop two
years ago, it is true; but it was thing
that had been done for him, more than
one which he had voluntarily chosen for
himself. His parents wished 1t; Kate's
fa'her had wished it; and Kate herself
wished it-which clenched the matter.
At the best, however, Kate was only to
him like sister; not always so nice, and
not always so dear.
When Madame Dufour came, the
chained fountain leaped into life and melo-
dy. To say that he loved her is to say
little. 1t was alteration more than COM
mon love. He loved her as he had never
loved before, as he had no provision he
could have ever loved at all. And She
well she first played, and then she learnt.
He was ssher bow. - she used TO saw with