Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-07-21
BY The SUMNER SEA.

How pale you are, Ninon What
ails you? You have not been yourself
these three weeks and more, I" observed
Camilla Kenwick to her petite, dark
eyed maid.
" Heaven it is you who are not your
self, returned Ninon, as she nervously
adjusted a spray of delicate, wax-white
buds in the rich, black hair Of her hand
some mistress. "You talk all dav to
M. Antoine Chariot, and all night YOU
moan in your dreams of Ralph nothing
but Ralph-madam and in the morn
ing the pillow is wet with the tears you
have shed in your dreams. Your cheeks
are always too hot or too cold, and-par-
don me-your temper is just the same
OF late Is it for the little quarrel, and
do you love Raoul so well ?"
Camilla Kenwick sighed and stirred
uneasily in her luxurious dressing-chair
of rosy velvet, as Ninon uttered Ralph's
name in the French rendering with a
pretty. teoder, Frenchified lisp.
The girl drew back with gesture of
admiration.
Look, madam-at yourself-in the
mirror" she cried, with mercuria1 de-
light, seeing how her deft duties had
enhanced the witcheres of creature
fairer than Circe. "Your eyes are -
Black, Ninon, interrupted the lady,
laughing black, and nothing more"
They are like two black pools reflect
ing two evening stars" continued the
vivacious French maid.
You are sad flatterer," said Camilla
Kenwick, not wholly pleased with the
fulsome admiration of the girl whom
she had made petted favorite. "I am
better satisfied with you when you cate
chise me-"
"Are you, madam? Heaven! 1 am
glad it is SO, for have something in my
heart that must be said"
"What, Ninon ?" inquired Camilla
starting, as the toyed with her boqu, t
of camelias and white rosebuds; "what
is it?''~ Ct "a TE-
The tiny face of the little French
maid grew pallid, and the, 1.-THE, dainty
form quivered; although her voice was
brave and full of melody.
~" Madam, dee-ar madam, please let
Antoine Chariot know that you are a
wife. Why will you take such an unfair
advantage of the blunder of the hotel
clerk who registered you as mademoiselle
instead of madam? If Antoine really
loves you, when he finds himself de-
ceived, he will kill you or himself. /
know him."
You call him Antoine. You certainly
speak as if you knew him." answered
Mrs. Kenwick, with slight hauteur.
I" Who and what is he ?"
A French professor of music from
New York, who is stopping at Wild
Rose Cliff for q few weeks of rest" said
Ninon, with pitiful assumption of in
difference.
You know more than that, Ninon, y
said Camilla, ,angrily and fearfully; and
q you shall tell me what it is. ="
Ninon was silent.
Camilla clasped the slender wrist of the
-, girl with cruel clutch.
Speak r she demanded.
l'" I will, said Ninon, "if you will lei
me go and face me honestly, as one
woman should another"
Mrs. Kenwick dropped her hand in
stantly $780,. f..T4t,tH
g You have been good girl, Ninon
and | will give you your way, !" she said
BeHbly, we all KNOW b0ab M. OnafIO
is professor of music. What more
is he?"
He was my promised husband il
France" said the girl, weeping; " ths
wedding day was fixed, the marriage set
Elements made, and everything els,
necessary was arranged. when my father
who was merchant in Paris, failed, ant
died-by his own hand. Then / kno W i
was my expected dover, and not me, tina
Antoine loved, for he fled, and 1 neve,
saw him again until he came here to Wild
Rose Cliff" -
"But you loved him p queriet
Camilla, startled.
81 loved him SO well that followed
him across the ocean, answered Ninon
I" L love him still with just that same in
tense, jealous, passionate love, will
which Raoul loves you, my lady.
madame, trife not with Antoine, you d
not care for him, and to Antoine slight
ed love would be death. To you an,
Raoul it would be worse than death
You know It; for you weep for your hus
band .all;night long, though it was but
little thing that parted you; and do yo-
think Raoul suffers less than you ?"
"Stop, Ninon !" said the lady authori