Sharp County record., 1880-02-26
4 MODERN SORCERESS.

WHY the ElphinstOnes of ElphinstOne
should elect to 90 to Paris for the winter
none of their kinsfOlk at home could at
all understand. Young Mrs. Elphin-
stone was - nervous, - it was understood,
and entertained an "English " preju-
dice against the bare, big house, on its
lonely moorland, where her husbands
ancestors had been content to dwell for
a couple of centuries. And this was
particularly ungrateful of her, because
much had been done to improve it, on
her coming. Carpets everywhere; bed
curtains; even mangle! She thought
it "lonelY, " forsoOth, and said the sound
of the wind kept her awake. "Sheer
nonsense" pronounced sundry grim
maiden aunts. " Though, really, what
could Archie expect better, after going
out of his way to wed poor, feckless
creature like that, when hearty Scotch
lassies were to be had by the score, who
had never been guilty Of listening to the
wind in their lives and would disdain to
be lonely under any circumstances
whatever" -"
Major EiphinstOne cared little for his
maiden aunts, and nothing at all for
their opinion. He liked ElphinstOne
we'll enough, and sort of hereditary
affection had brought him back there to
reside, when he left the army, on the
death of his father; but he was passion
ately in love with his young wife, and
felt that the place was absolutely harm
full to her. He noted her huctuating
spirits, watched her fairness fading into
pallor, the luminous blue of her eyes
spiritualizing into langour, and was in
haste to carry her to a more cheerful
atmosphere. Paris was chosen, as af-
fording more variety and winter sun
shine than London. Besides, Mrs
ElphihstOne herself had been born in
Paris, and had strong fancy that the
baby soon to come should be born there
also
"It is sNch perfect place for babies, :"
she told her husband. " You see them
by the hundred in the Champs Elysees
on fine days, all looking so rosy and
happy. Here, the little thing would be
housed for weeks together" looking out
of the window with shiver as she
spoke; "but in Paris it will live in the
air and only come indoors to sleep.
You will enjoy it too, Archie, 1 am sure
you will"
Major Elphinstone was less sure; but
not for the world would he have said
any thing to dampen his wife's happy
fancies. They left the mOors in Octo-
Der, being joined on their way by Mrs.
Elpifinst0ne's mother; crossed the Chan
mel on a smooth afternoon; and, without
long delay, established themselves in a
comfortable rez de chGuSSee in the Rue
ROyale.
happened to meet them soon after
their arrival, and was struck by Mrs
Elphinstone's singular beauty. 1t
was of the exquisite and fragile char
acter Of Sir Joshua Reynolds's most re-
fined portraits-masses of hazel-tinted
hair, picturesquely disposed; large eyes
of wistful gray-blue, shaded by thick,
dropping lashes; complexion ivory
fair, with soft pink in cheeks and mouth !;
and an expression of great sweetness,
tinged with melanchOly-alt q
face full Of charm and interest, but not,
as | said to myself, the face of a woman
meant for life of unbrOken happiness.
saw them but once. Mary's baby was
born in February, and Major Elphin-
stone and his mOther-in-law, Mrs. Aske,
were absorbed from that time on by the
anXieties of the moment, so that the rest
of their story know only from hearsay.
The baby-a bOy-throve and flour
ished. Not so his mother. Weeks
passed, leaving her still listless and
feeble, with none of the reaction "
prOphesied and waited for by her san
guine doctor. At last DR.. Boulan, a
man of theories, suggested the employ
ment Of a professional rubber Ca
woman), who had the reputation of inn
parting strength to her patients by the
communication of certain magnetic
quality, with which she seemed en-
dowed.
" She is no imposter. That I vouch, ~
explained the Doctor, in the careful En-
glish OF which he was justly proud. 81
have heard of her sometimes, and once
/ seen her do. She are truly fuii of the
electric, and she make your good lady
like electric as she; and she speak lit
tie English too. That will be good for
Madame Aske. Employ her, my dear
sir will guarantee the result"
Rash DR.. Boulan In an evil hour
Major Elphinstone consented, and an
appointment was made for the attend
ance OF Madame Olympic.
She came puncually, and was received