The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-08-14
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MISCELLANY.
BY the Summer Sea.
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"How pale you are, Ninon! What ails
three weeks and more," observed Camil
Ia Kenwick to her petite, dark-eyed maid
"Heaveu 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 day to
NJ Antoine Chariot, and all night you
moan in your dreams OF Ralph-nothing
but halph-madam; and in the morning
the pillow is wet with the tears you have
shed in your dreams. Your cheeks are
always too hot or too cold, and-pardon
me-your temper is just the same OF
late. Is it for the little quarrel, and do
you love Raoul so well 7"
Camilla Kenwick sighed and stirred
uneasily in her luxurious dressing chair
frosy velvet, as Ninon uttsred RAlph's
name in the pretty French rendering with
a pretty, tender, Frenchi6ed lisp
The girl drew back sxsshS . gesture pf
admiration.
LOOK, madam-at yourself-iu the
mirror she cried, with mcrcurial delight,
seeing how her def duties had enhanc-
ed the Nitcheries Of a creature fairer than
Gree Your eyes are
Black, Ninop," interrupted the lady,
laughing +" black, and nothing more"
"Thcy are like too Black pools reflect
ing two evening stars continued the vi
vacious French maid.
You are sad fatterer," said Camil-
la Kenwick, not wholly plea sed with the
fulsome admiration of the girl whom she
had made petted favorite II am bet.
ter satisfied with you when you catechise
me-"
"Are you. madam Heaven! ! am
glad it is so, for have something in my
heart that must be said.'
"What, Ninon ?" inquired Camilla,
starting, as she toyed with her bouquet
of camelias and white rosebuds; a. what
is it?'
The tiny face of the little French maid
grew pallid and the little dainty form
quiyered; although her voice was brave
and full of melody.
" Madam, dee ar madam, please let An.
tome Chariot know that you are wife.
Why will you take such an unfair advan-
tage OF the blunder of the hotel clerk
who registered you as mademoisele in
stead OF madam If Antoine really loves
you, when he finds himself deceived, he
will kill you or himself know him"
"You call him Antoine. You certain.
w speak as if YOU knew him" answered
Mrs. Kenwick, with slight hauteur.
"Who and what is he 2"
"A French professor Of music from
New York, who is stopping at Wild Rose
Cliff for few weeks of rest" said Ninon
with pitiful assumption of indifference
"You know more than that, Ninon."
sale. Camilla, angrily and fearfully: "and
you shall tell me what is"
Ninon was silent
Camilla casped tho slender wrist Of
the girl with cruel clutch.
"Speak /" she demanded.
81 will" said Ninon, "if you will let
me 60 and face me honestly, rs one wo-
man should another"
Mrs. Kcnwick dropped her hand in.
stantly.
"You have been good girl. Ninon,
and l will give you yoLr way" she said
gently; I'VE all know that NJ Chariot is
a professor of music. What more is
be 7"
He was my promised husband in
France said the girl weeping; "the
wedding day was fixed. the marriage set
Elements made, and everything else nee,
cssary was arranged, when my father who
was merchant in Paris, failed, and died
by his own hand. Then knew it was
my expected dover, and not me, that
loved, for he fed, and never
saw him again until he came here to Wild
Rose Cliff"
But you loved him p "queried'Ca-
mlla, startled.
81 loved him so we'll that followed
him across the ocean," answered Ninon,
:. love him still with just that same in
tense, jealous, passionate love with which
Raoul loves you, my lady. o. madame,
triGe not with Antoine, you do not care
for him, and to Antoine a sighted love
would be death. TO you and Raoul it
would be worse than death! You know
it; for you weep for your husband all
night long, though il was but a little
thing that part you; and do you think
Raou, suffers less than you p
,,C4o,~ N;,oot > aaid tho Lode author.