Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
MISS VAN DUYNE GROWS IN FAVOR.

Clarice Suydam had changed her place OF
residence, and she was now living in cosy
house on Patchen Place. The unfortunate
Clarence was not forgotten in the arrange
ment of the sitting-room Of this new doml-
cile, although the artists materials were put
away by tender, reverent hands. Over the
fireplace hung portrait of the dead man,
draped in mourning black.
A bright fire burned in the CRATE, and
gave to the room cheerful warmth.
Near window sat Clarice Suydam, sew
ing. Now and then tear glistened upon
her eyelids and fell upon her hand. Beside
the grateful fire, her dainty feet resting on
a low stool, and her head imbedded in the
luxurious depths of large armchair, re-
clined Miss Celeste Van Duyne, the hand
some woman whom James Dalton had res
cued from life of misery.
For almost an hour, on the day of which
we write, these two women sat in Clarice
Suydam's sitting-room engrossed in thought,
and to the thoughts of one imagination had
lent airy wings.
Miss Van Duyne's eyes were fixed upon
the portrait over the mantel.
At last she broke the long silence.
"Miss Suydam,' she said, ''may ask a
question:"
Certainly Miss Van Duyne," replied
Clarice, without lifting her head.
"You have been very kind to poor, unde-
serving me, Miss Suydam, and do not want
to be impertinent; but will you tell me
whose portrait that is?"
sit is the portrait of my dead cousin, Miss
Van Duyne."
"Please call me Celeste" pleaded the
young woman. ''He was handsome" she
said-''very handsome.
Gay, he was handsome" said Clarice,
somewhat bitterly-"had he not been, he
might to-day be alive. Beauty is sometimes
a cursep'
Miss Van Duyne withdrew her attention
from the picture and turned an astonished
look upon Miss Suydam.
"How did his features prove curse?"
IA wealthy lady pretended to fall in love
with him, but she proved false because he
was not wealthy also, and he"
Clarice paused and resumed her work.
"And what was the RESULT"
"He died!'
"Oh, how sadr' exclaimed Miss Van
Duyne ''Died of broken hearth
Again silence reigned in the room.
The beautiful Miss Van Duyne toyed idly
with the fringe on the arm of her chair.
Presently the silence was again broken by
her inquiry:
"Were you ever in love. Miss Suydam?
All, excuse me!' she said, hastily, as if re-
penting the rude question.
'Once," replied Clarice, with faint
smile, and then she turned her face toward
the window.
"Once!' echoed Miss Van Duyne. ''You
should never love but once. 1 beg your
pardon; 1 see I have stupidity Numbered
upon a subject which gives you pain"
She directed her attention to the portrait
again.
sDo you know" she said, TREMENDOUSLY,
81 have been longing to, tell you secret,
and ask your advice as to what l shall do!
/ seem to be happy, but I am unutterably
wretched."
Miss Van Duyne covered her face with her
hands and burst into tears.
Clarice rose from her seat and walked
over to the young woman's chair. Leaning
over the back of it, she stroked the sobbing
woman's forehead and babe her confide her
troubles to her keeping, and if she could do
aught to assist her she would.
Miss Van Duyne, still hiding her face in
her hands, broke out:
81 am so unhappy! Your friend, Mr..
Dalton, has been very kind to me, and you
are like sister, but / cannot escape the
stigma of my former life. 1 am forced to
remain indoors; but, if 1 were free to go into
society, 1 should soon be frowned upon,
were my character to become known, al
though 1 really have not myself been
vicious-you believe that l have not?'
81 have no right to disbelieve you, Ce-
leste," said Clarice, gently. "The fact Of
your leaving your evil companions is evi-
dence that you hate crime.
'.Bless you for that assurance sighed the
lovely creature. 'Judge, then" she added,
''of how bemoan my unfortunate love-"
"Lovep'
eyes, Miss Suydam, am deeply enam-
ored of gentleman whose love 1 fear 1 do
not possess, and who, if he did reciprocate
my affection, would not take me to his heart
should tell him the history of my life"
care you sure he would not?" asked Clar-
ice.
II am almost positive. From my &C
quaintance with him, l can see that he is
too proud TO wed with one who has not yet
escaped the wiles of her enemies, and who
is in constant fear of being discovered and
forced back to her old life"
'Do you wish to know what his senti-
ments are on that point?'
''Oh, so much!" sighed Miss Van Duyne
Then tell him your whole history-that