The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-09-24
DIR. SCRIVARIUS' MASK.
Translated from the French for the Milwaukee
Monthly.

were assembled this evening In the sal
on OF Madame Walstein, the prettest
widow in all Germany; but all the guests
had departed long ago, as it was gener
ally understood that the lady retired to
her apartments at twelve o'clock precise
" and that she avoided as much as pos
sible keeping later hours, for fear OF
rObbine her complexion of its freshness
and her eyes OF their briliiancy. Never
theless this hour was passed, and there
yet remained in her salon a parsonage
who appeared not disposed 70 Withdraw.
This nersonaoe was behind time with
the world. Ee powdered, wore his
clothes cut in French fashion, and shOrt
brooches. He was large, and stopped a
little. his eyes, where the mind lies hid
den. were bright and piercing, and be-
meath his smile, sarcastic when OCCASION
REQUIRED. one read an expression OF ma
tural goodness as for his age, one could
not decide-he was one of those men
who are neither young nor old, and who
are both at the same time. He was Of
ten at Mannheim one always saw him
there. Welcomed everywhere, rather
as friend than as a physician, he re-
ceived a consideration due to his science
above everything else, and they consult
ed him IN families on personal affairs,
On ills of the mind as well as of the
body. His advice was religiously fol-
lowed In an emergency, and the result
ALWAYS justified his foresight Such was
DIR. Scrivarius. Thus he found himself
mixed up with all kinds of secrets. The
girls reserved their little condolences for
him, the ladies related to him their
chagrins. the husbands their business,
and the the worthy man had always in
reserve words of hope for the first, con-
collation. for the second, encouragement
and counsel for the last. He was friend
to all. and his name was familiar IN every
household.
He had never done anything but good,
and vet some slandering tongues had
circulated injurious reports concerning
him. The ignorant pretended his science
was not natural the curious, jealous Of
seeing him initiated in secrets they burn
ed to know, accused him Of intrigue );
and agreed that the Doctor practiced oc-
cult sciences, and that he had q mysteri-
Gus cabinet where satanic scenes were
enacted. This variety of insinuatlOns
was received willingly by those VINO
were thirsting for the marvellous, and II
the taverns the name OF DR.. Scriyarius
was never pronounced except with a
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these reports were Indignantly denied
by those who had good reason to value
his services and his counsels. This
habit of receiving everyone's condolences
had perfected socrivarius IN a tact which
enabled him to penetrate quickly all the
little family secrets, and gave him the
kew to movements of Impotence and
faces dissimulated in vain, because the
eve of the Doctor read to the bottom of
tie heart the thoughts that the mouth
withheld For those who refused their
confidence, the Doctor was dangerous
man. Thus Madame Walstein could not
Danish certain embarrassment which
she felt In seeing the Doctor remain af-
ter the others had gone, regarding her
with sharp, piercing glances.
Sorivarius, seated in a fauteull near
the fire, looked attentively at the pretty
widow and her step-daughter, not less
pretty than herself, who remained tlmid-
" IN corner of the room, and it was
easy to see that the Doctor had a pur-
pose in remaining in spite OF everything,
and thus overstepping the proprieties.
Now this is what the Doctor had OBJ
served for a long time, and perhaps we
will find in it the explanation of his
strange conduct in this house. He had
noticed that every time Madame Wal
stein passed near her daughter, she
gave her jealous glance, which, with
8 single look, analysed all the toilette of
the young girl, after which she turned
her eyes towards q glass, where she
seemed to consult her own appearance.
All of which seemed to say TO the DocJ-
or, rs it possible this little slmpleton IS
pre;tier than | am p Annther thing,
Madame did not allow Lucy to choose
her own toilette, but exercised her taste,
which was exquisite for herself, but
heavy and common when she chose adorn-
menss for the young girl; and if she,
with the instinct of coquetry common to
women, objected to her choice, the pref
ty widow imposed silence, saying, 1T IL
not necessary that young persons should
dress elegantly simplicity is much more
becoming" If some young cavalier, Law
ish of mpliments, complimented Mad
anne on her beauty, she instantly became
smiling and gracious; but if carried away
BY the desire offattery. be praised Lucy,
the Young widow Immediately changed
her expression, which seemed to the
Doctor to say, Heavens! How unfort-
innate TO have near to ones self a great
simpleton who makes pretensions to be-
ing pretty. These foolish people that
praise her have very bad taste. With
ont doubt her figure is not bad, but she
is without grace. without expression
Some one said. in speaking of Lney,
s.Nademoiselle, your daughter the
Young widow cried out. Am | cid en-
eugh to have such great giri?" Aud
che would hasten to explain that Lucy
was only her stsp-daughter. 90 only
child of NJ de Waistein. who WAS twelve
wears cd when her father married again
These were a few of the things the
Doctor remarked. Let US pass to those
he had seen this evening, which was
nearly ended. On entering the salon.
he saw that Lucy's eyes were red; she
had evidently just been weeping. he
Young widow. while attempting to be
very gracious to her guest. bore on her
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