River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-05-24
FAIR AND FALSE.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

hung its odorous bells in the sunshinei
blue-ribboned wotk-basket was drawn
close to the window, and a fire Of log
burned, with a comfortable. cracking
sound. in the deep. tiled fireplace.
Cora started at the sudden question n,
and then smiled.
OPP said she. "My fortune told2
How should I? We city girls never
stumble across gipsv camps; ana don't
believe in the wise women who adver-
ti5e from city flats"
Old Miss Duchesne was swallow, with
very black hair, scarcely as Yet sprinkled
with gray, although sixty years had pass
en- overit; sharp, black eyes, and nose
and chin which nearly met. She looked
almost like a sphinx herself as she sat
there.
Il used to tell fortunes, when was a
girl" said she.
with carIs24 laughed Cora,
No; by palmisiry. Shall toll yOurs?"
Cora looked at the old lady with sur
prise. Was she in jest or earnest? Why
did she speak 50 sharply? Why did
those glitteriHg eyes seem to burn their
way into her very brdin}
But Miss Duchesue had been the
school-friend Of Cora's mother, years
aud years ago, an Cora had always
humored her ecccnircities
IF you choose" aid she, half hest
tating,
GIVE me your hand" said Miss
Duchesne-''the same hand which you
are one day going to best0w upon Duke
ChesterIOn ia marriage"
YES, said Cora. calmly.
"a white, plump, velvety little hand"
said Miss DIchesne, peering so closely
into tine p I'm that her nose almost
touched the rosy skin. Let me see!
let-me-seci The Inc Of luck; the line
Of life; the line Of ioyc. All, here we
arel Beware Of a dark girl. She is COM
ing between ouani the line of love-
Sh0 viii work yon sore trouble yet"
Miss DucEesne dropped the hand
took off her spectaclcs, and solemnly
placed them in her pocket Then she
leaned back in her chair and regarded
Cora intently.
The girl sat as if some new light had
suddenly daWned upon her brain.
"You mean my Cousin Ariadne?"
said she, inyoluntarily.
Miss Duchesne nodded.
81 mean your cousin Ariadne," said
she. Child, child! can it be possible
that YOU are SO blind as not to see what
Is going on under your very eyes? That
girl IS winning your lover away"
Cora smiled inCredulOusly.
ooh, but, " sal, she, "that is quite i'm
possible. Duke loves me! He is en-
gagged to mcp
Men are false as Mephistopheles,"
said Miss Duchesne, with energy.
There never was one vet proof against
the wiles of siren like Ariadne Buck
ingham."
"Mlss Duchesne, you must not talk So"
faltercd Cora, with the cClor varying on
her check, and startled look in her
eyes. "Ariadne Is my guest. Duke is
my engaged lover. L"
Silently Miss Duchesne drew aside the
ruby velvet draperies of the window and
pointed to where Miss Leslies's own car
rage was drawn up opposite the curb
stone. Ariadne BuCkingham-a tall,
brilliant brunette-in a carriage costume
of salmon satin and plush. was just step
ping out. Marmaduke Chesterton. bow
ing low over her hand, pressed his lips
to it as he assisted her to alight.
"D0 you see that?" said Miss Ouch
esne.
Cora burst into tears and hurried from
the room, Just as Miss Buckingham en-
-
followed by Mr.. Chesterton.
''Where is COra?" said the brunette,
airly. 81 hope her headache is better.
We have had such delightful morning
at the picture gallery, Duke and /. And
we have brought home some exquisite
cut flowers to arrange for dinner. Where
are they Duke? Bring them in here. l
am sure Cora will excuse US for invading
her boudoir.".
But Miss Duchesne did not return the
fair Ariadne's smiles. She gathered up
her kilt ng, made some curt reply about
desiring to be alone, and stalked out of
the room
Gross oil thing pouted Ariadne.
One would almost imagine, Duke, that
Won were her lover, and that she was
jealousv'
She laughed a shrilI, sweet tinkle of
sound. Marmaduke Chestertou laughed,
also. All that Ariadne Buckingham did
or said was perfect in his eyes.
Miss Buckingham's father had lost his
all in unfortunate ventures, and Aria
dne had been brought up on an in
come of nothing per annum.
Every one pitied poor Adriadne, who
nevertheless was always eXqulsltely
dressed, went everywhere, and lived,
metaphorically speaking, on the fat of
the land.
She had written to Cora Leslie, her
mothers cousin, that she would like to
spend a winter in Philadelphia, and
Cora, full of sweet, womanly compass
sion, had promptly sent money fer her
30 come.
a never had sister" wrote Cora,
''and | am sure that shall love you
dcarlvp
And thus it was that Ariadne rewar-
ded her. The old story over again Of
the serpent who stings its benefactor.
But although Cora had been blind,
the rest of the world, like Miss Du-
chesne, were more clear-sighted.
Colonel Nayason, Mr.. Chesterton's
uncle, took him sternly to task for his
detection from tive line Of equity.
"Dnkc,' st.t be-, " may be a little old
fashioned, but an this looks to me like a
piece OF hrst class viIldinyi Miss Leslie
has neither n;her nor brother to inter-
fere in her behalf. She Is a jewel among
women ard that Buckingham girl is Il
hearless tirI
Duke laughed.
MY dear uncle,' said he. you take
Things too seriously. Cannot an en-
gagged man so much as look at other
women2"
But one day, in blossomy May, Col
NANtteOh y tSt'd Yves uiOu&tlt up " Nj 4o'
Leslie.
Cora was preparing to go out with
Miss Duchesne for drive. She was full
of bright happiness that nj orning. and
even Miss Duchesne hreathed more free
IL, for Adriene Buckingham had left
them the night before, in response so
at least she gave them TO understand
to telegram from her father, who was
ILL., The nightmare dream was over at
last-all the world was Mayi
She ran Gown into the drawing-room,
where Colonel Navason leaned against
the mantle, tall, pale and handsome
"Oh, colonel" she said, brightly, 81
am 50 glad to see you. Duke is coming
at two o'clock"
Bu, she paused as her eyes fell on his
pale features, the look of mute horror
in bis eyes.
'.Dakc VIII never come here again,
said he. in a low tone. BE a heroine
q Cora. Bare your trouble bravely. Duke
went away before daylight. lie left d
note asking me to tell you. He loves
Ariadne buckingham, aud has followed
her home.'
And SO Cora Leslie closed the chapter
of her first love-or. rather, Marmaduke
Chestertun closed 1t for her.
OF course there we're plenty OF people
TO pity her with oSteutauouS sympathy,
and plenty 70 say that they bad prophe-
sled II all along. plenty 10 comment on
COras trlsting blindness and Dukes
smooth hVDacTisv