The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-04
Raymond was gazing upon her with

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deeply penetrating glance.
"Am l mistaken?" he asked of me,
in a whisper, as Aurelia's preoccupation
shielded her from inquiry, cor is this
Mrs. Desmond, the widow of my old
friend HarryP"
But Aurelia's quick ear caught the
sound; she blushed crimson, and, ex-
tending her hand with the artlessness of
child, exclaimed:
"You know my husbandp All! then
you will be the friend of his wife, and
refrain from exposing her to the sharp
comments of the world. No one knows
my history here but Mrs. Earle'
Raymond readily assured her of his
discretion, and, thinking to divert her
attention from the embarrassing topic,
asked her opinion of the picture.
6 1t is perfect. So like my own little
Ellen, too. All! Mr.. Raymond, should
have thought only mothers heart
could have nourished such an inspira-
tion."
Raymond blushed at the rather en-
barrassing compliment.
"We artists,'' he said, "see beauty
in all its forms. We gaze upon young
children perhaps more tenderly than
even some maternal eyes-since where
shall we catch glimpses of divine beau
ty, perfect and unveiled, if not in the
human soul fresh from its mothers
presence, and unstained as yet by con-
tact with the world? The child is yet
to the man what the clear mountain
spring is to the turbulent and roaring
river"
That visit to Raymond's studio prov
ed the turning point in Aurelia's histo-
ry. Raymond came afterward often
to see US, and by his subtle yet genial
knowledge of human nature, aided per-
haps by his thorough knowledge of her
anteeedents, succeeded in that in which
so many had failed. He beguiled Au-
relia of her grief and by
his graphic powers of conversation
he touched the only chord in her heart
which grief had not had power to un-
string. Already l began to build up
the most gorgeous air-castles for my
two friends, rosy as the hues of sunset.
had never inquired of Aurelia con-
corning her acquaintance with the lady
whom we had met in Raymond's studio,
thinking that it might perhaps be an
unpleasant topic. But sitting one day
in her room, a sketch dropped from
her portfolio. My eye rested upon it
only moment-for she Immediately
stopped and replaced it-but its char
acteristics were too striking not to be
apprehended. It was a mere outline
of flowing robes, heavy fur mantle,
nodding plumes, and dainty muff; but
| lo 80 .oL 4loL ~ Id
not that of the handsome woman we
had seen at Raymond's, but the ugly
and distorted head of a serpent, while
dimly through the length of the figure
l could trace the scaly, serpentine evo-
luton and stinging tail which formed
the proper continuation of that odious
head. 1t was a strange conception to
come from the brain of my magnani-
NOUS and high-souled friend.
"Dost thou see her? Dost thou not
,, see her?" exclaimed Aurelia, one day
running into my room, with eyes dis
tended and hair flowing like spirit.
l followed the direction of her eager
, hand, and looking out, saw that same
!, elegant lady entering the gate.
81 can not meet her," said Aurelia.
: "She would sting me so with her sharp
! tongue that l should die of her venom.
!, Go thou down, my dear friend, and say
!. 1 am preoccupied-ill-any thing that
is not too gross deception-that l may
escape her. You will see that am
: not merely coward when you meet
! her snaky eye and listen to her beguil-
ing accents. -
, The servant had already admitted
: her, so there was no alternative but to
comply with Aurelia's request. STEP
. ped to my dressing-room to add hasty
. . touch to my toilet, and, turning, met
the servant with card which Aurelia
: had sent to me from the guest below
: 1t was neat, elegant missive, with this
: name:
MRS. HAROLD MOUNTJOY.
' A new light dawned upon me as ]
: read that name, and whatever tremors
4 l may have felt after Aurelia's excited
]. description they vanished now. knew
e with whom had to deal, and felt SURF
that whatever game she might play
! knew secret art by which, if necessa
r ry, to checkmate her.
e Mrs. Mountloy rose as | entered, al
: if about to greet warmly an old friend
e Upon seeing a stranger slight change
Il passed quickly over her countenance
il and she bowed eoldly in answer to my
s salutation.
t "Mrs. Desmond desires to be ex
V cused," said, coolly; for I was quit
J. willing our visitress should understand
:, that her presence was unwslcome
!; sShe labors under a slight indisposi
= ton, which will prevent her seeing an,