The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-05-16

/ 1dThudul. anu, WOIltn-llht, Sue Decdlle
more determined not to be baked in her mis-
sion by this "pale-browed AmericdrO,' rs
she had termed her in conversation with
| Bernard Burdois.
You will not accept my refusal to ad-
init you to the presenco of Mr.. Thurston n
asked Clarlbel, as the Countess sank into a
seat.
mo, madam. | hold claim upon Mes
sieur Thurston, replied the Countess in
sJft, measured tones, " which, | think, his
own actions and words must have convinced
! You is paramount to your own"
That may be, replied Claribel, "yet
| do not withhold your admission on that
ground AS his nurse, as the friend of his
family and himself, and because such are
the positive orders of his physician, do
request you not to obtrude your presence
upon Mr. Thurston's present weak and ner-
vous condition"
" Obtrude y repeated the Countess, in
mock scorn and surprise. " am not aware
that my presence would awaken any disa-
greesbie emotions in your patients mind. "
Madam, replied Claribel, ,frigidly. "If
you will compel me to vindicate my course
and plainly | must acknowledge that the
man consideration IN the case is your
heartless and cruel conduct towards Mr..
Thurston is the occasion of his recent i'll
ness You have separated him from his
friends, estrayed him from his profession,
and brought him well nigh the verge Of
the grave. You should be content | be-
lieve he has no desire to see you-that he
recognizes in you only the false-hearted,
frivolous woman Of the world you are, and
Fa.la ,,,H I
what your object has been in the course
you have undertaken, but | will prevent
you seeing him again with every means in
my power.
The Countess looked at her with deep
enlng frown.
And what are you to him that you de-
bar me the privilege Of seeing himl |
came hither with the object Of explaining
T. HIM the cause Of my conduct on the
evening OF the fete. | sholl not leave until |
carry that resolution into effect. Show me
his room, If he is too i'll to meet me here.
must, | iriU see him So
Madam, you shall not :"
The Countess turned "a startled counte
nance upon this new actor on the scene.
Mr. Markham, who had entered unob-
served at the door. His fixed, cold gaze,
the determined mein and cold glitter Of
his eye, told how absolutely futile it would
be to oppose his will. She bowed quietly,
and arose to go.
As they entered the hall Claribel pre-
ceded the Countess, while MIR. Markham
stood looking upon her With the same cold
hauteur, mingled with contempt at her
disreputable character and past conduct.
The demeanor of father and daughter con
spired to m dden her. and as she caught
the sound of persons moving in the front
room, witha quick movement, she turned
the knob, and before MIR. Markham could
prevent her, stood in the presence Of
Clarence Thurston.
He had Just awakened, and at first could
not determine if her presence were a
chimera of his brain or a reality. His first
impulse was to spring forward at her feet.
Then AS the memory of her falseness and
treachery crossed his mind, he sank back
with a feeble moan, her beauty and fascin
/ ating influence still arousing deep emotions
III his heart.
Clarence" she said, softly.
He looked up at her coidly. Claribel,
with hands folded over her heart, and pale
as monumental marble, awaited his answer
with a heart beating like drum within
her bosom. Mr.. Markham regarded him
with anxious gaze, momentarlly expecting
him to fling himself at the feet Of the
Countess.
"Well, madam, came the reply, i'll low,
firm tones.
Clarence, still more tenderly. 81 have
come to explain to you Of that mght-to
tell you that"
Madam, interrupted ThurstOn, mad
am call you, only because 50 the world
wills false-hearted friend it should be.
If you come here to allure me back to your
side, to poison my mind against yonder
true woman who has proved an angel IN
my time Of sickness and agony, | can
only tell you how futile is the endeavor.
My eyes have been Opened-the spell has
been broken You have brought me very
near to death-have reduced me to a
broken-down man. Yet rather death than
a union with a woman whose only object
was to compel me to break my most sacred
oath and abandon honor and respectability
for her false, treacherOus smile. Go.
madam, and never dare seek my presence
again =
He sank back i'll a faint as he finished
speaking and the Countess, crimson with
rage, and trembling under the insult to her
beauty, left the room.
If amy lingering passion was in his mind
for the Countess he repressed 1t III the
presence of Claribel, who, that night, was
once more happy in his love. In fancied
security they communed together. Alas
too soon was their happiness to be broken
in upon, for one more enemy had been
4
Countess.