The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1880-02-13
A QUEER Party.

"There they comet" cried one of a
group of young men who were amusing
fllemsP lvessla watching the drivinRrone
bright May day, IN the Champs Elysees,
Paris. 'sYou win see that she never
lifts her vail or moves her head.n
"And the ogre who accompanies her
does not address asingle word to her.
have watched them"
A young Americana musical student
of the conservatoire-who had been idly
humn1ing q strain from "Trovatore'.
Non ii scordar di mep"-turned at the
words to see who was coming.
He saw q handsome coupe. distin-
guished-looking gentleman. who wore
some orders on his breast, and by his
side dazzlingly beautiful woman. The
fair head rose from among the velvet
and lace wrappings like a moss-rose
from the caressing moss. The delicate
tints of her complexion were not hidden
by the gauzy vail that covered her face.
The large blue eyes seemed fixed in some
strange melancholy; the red lips never
parted for word or smile. The wind
lifted a curl of golden hair now and
then, but no other movement stirred it.
"Such statuesque repose ~ said one.
"She's deaf and dumbi" cried another.
No woman could be SO lifeless!'
"She's insane, and the mans her
keeper!" exclaimed another.
"She's frozen!" cried student from
the Latin Quarter.
Gentlemen said the first speaker,
my theory is that some great tragedy
has broken her heart. The man with
her is her husband and tyrant. He
has, perhaps, murdered her lover, and
knowing all holds her fast by the guilty
secret. The poor child's life is blighted.
She goes through It's daily forms like a
machine--she is, in fact, nothing more
than n cunning mechanism. Feeling
thought, hope. Joy and sorrow, are all
dead. To gain the diadems of the
world she would not lift an eyelid to
set her foot on thrones she would not
raise it. | would give five hundred
francs TO know the TRUTH vs.
Lemoine, are you in earnestP'' cried
the student, eagerly. 81 know you are
one OF the lucky dogs who scatter gold
as the leaves in autumn-but is this
bona fideP"
Yes! Francois here shall hold the
of you fellows brings
me an authentic story shall have it, all
fair and above board.n
The young American, Ray G1ennor-
gan. hesitated moment, and then ad-
dressed the speaker:
| Will you admit a stranger to your
ranksP /, too, feel an Unsuitable curios-
ity on the subject and
, The moneyed party glanced at the
handsome young fellow as he faltered,
and took in the whole story His clothes
were shabby TO degree, but the face
was full of genius and hope.
' La pGatvre diGble % he theught; she
would be glad of chance for the re-
ward. Certainly, monsieur. !" he cried,
heartily; 1--WE welcome you to our
ranks; we are the Knights of Hope
less Quest, but we will go out gallantly
toSthe fray. Here is my card"
"And here mine,' answered Ray. "
am an American.o
"Ah! that / have perceived by the
flavor of monsieur's French" answered
the other with a smile, and then Ray
bowed and walked on.
Strange how the face of that woman
haunted him. The steadfast, immov.
able face, where all the life of hops
seemed indeed dead for ever. And yet
there was wild-rose bloom on thu
cheek, ard the lips were red and full
| The sorrow, Whatever 1t was, had moi
wasted or changed the soft, round out
lines, or drawn dark lines of grief be
meath the lovely eyes, or paled the fresh
color of the. young face.
He must know something more of her
Perhaps the man was not her husband
and then he might relea Sc the beautiful
creature from some hateful bond o.
! slavery.
What strange sweet airs stole out be
neath his hands that evening as hs
| turned his fantasies into music.
He had always set his dreams t.
music but now--now it seemed for thl
/ first time that
~ He heard strange melodies around linn roll
sndden and sweet as when
| The stArssof morning sung, and from his sod
| Uprose the glad Amenr