The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-05-24
FAIR AND FALSE.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAvES.

OAS4S
ruptly. "did you ever have your forum,
told?" 49,
Cora Leslie was dreaming over she
needlework. in the soft light of the Apri
noon. Blossoming cyclamens were il
the deep easements; white hyacintl
hung its odorous bells in the sunshine
blue-ribboned work-baskct was drawn
close to the window, and a fire of LOG
burned, with comfortable. cracklin,
sound, in the deep. tiled fireplace.
Cora started at the sudden question
and then smiled.
ZIP" said she. "My fortune toldi
How should II We city girls never
stumble across gipsv camps; and dom,
oelleve IN the wise women who adver
tlse from city flats.'
Old Miss Duchesne was swallow, with
vefy black hair, scarcely as yet sprinkled
with gray, although sixty years had pass
on overit; sharp, black eyes, and a nose
ana chin which nearly met. She looked
almost like sphinx herself as she sat
there.
II used to tell fortunes, when was q
girl" said she.
with carls?" laughed Cora,
mo; by palDis,ry. Shall tell yours?'
Cora looked ut the old lady with sur
PRISE: Was she in jest or earnest? Why
dld she speak 80 sharply? Why did
those gllttering eyes seem to burn their
way into her very brain?
But Miss Duchesne had been the
school-friend of Cora's mother, years
L. al
humored her eccentricities.
IF you choose" said she, half hest
tating.
"Give me your hand" said Miss
Duchesne-"the same hand which you
are one day going to bestow upon Duke
Chesterton in 1narriagew
Yes" said Cora, calmly.
"A white, plump, velvety little hand )"
said Miss Dlchesne, peering so closely
into the palm that her nose almost
touched the rosy skin. LET me see!
iet-me--see! The lie of luck; the line
of life; the line Of love! All, here we
are! Beware of dark girl. She is COM
ing between you and the line of love-.
oha Will work yon sore trouble yet"
Miss Duchesne dropped the hand,
took off her spectacles, 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, involuntarily.
Miss Duchesne nodded.
II mean your cousin Ariadne," said
she. "Child, child! can it be possible
that you are so blind us not to see what
is going on under your very eyes? That
girl is winning your lover away"
Cora smiled incretlulously.
"Oh, but" sail: she, "that is quite inn
possible. Duke loves me! He is en-.
gagged to mel"
".Men are false as Mephistopheles,"
said Miss Duchesne, with energy.
There never was one yet proof against
the wiles of a siren like Ariadne Buck
ingham."
"Miss Duchesne, you must not talk So"
faltered Cora, with the color varying on
her cheek, and Il startled look IN her
eyes. "Aria1ne 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 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.
"Do 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.
stWhere ia Cnra7' said tho hrnnotto
airly. II hope her headache is better.
We have had such delightful morning
at the picture gallery, Duke and l. And
we have brought home some exquisite
cut flowers to arrange for dinner. Where
are they Duke? Bring them in here: I
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 kit ng, made some curt reply about
desiring to be alone, and stalked out of
the room.
"Cross old thing" pouted Arialne.
'One would almost imagine, Duke, that
yo11 were her lover, and that she was
jealous|
She laughed shrill, sweet tinkle of
sound. Marmaduke Chesterton 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 Ar ia
dine had been brought up ON An in
come of nothing per annum.
Every one pitied poor Adriadne, who
nevertheless was always exQuisitely
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
to come.
81 never had sister," wrote Cora,
"and I am sure that l shall love you
dearly!'
And thus it was that Ariadne rewar-
ded her. The old story over again of
the serpent who stings it's benefactor.
But. although Cora had been blind,
the rest of the world, like Miss Du-
chesne, were more clear-sighted.
Colonel Vavason, Mr.. Chesterton's
uncle, took him sternly to task for his
detection from the line of equity.
"Duke," said he, II may be little old
fashioned, but all this looks to me like
piece of first class vllainy! Miss Leslie
has neither father nor brother to inter-
fere in her behalf. She is a jewel among
women aud that buckingham girl is
heartless hirt!"
Duke laughed.
my dear UNCLE" said he. 'you take
Things too seriously. Cannot an en-
gagged man so much as look at other
women"
But one day, in blossomy May, Col
Vavason's cavd ives brought up to Miss
Leslie.
Cora was preparing to 60 out with
Miss Duchesne for q drive. She was full
of bright happiness that m orning, and
even Miss Duchesne breathed more free
ly, for Adriene Buckingham had left
them the night before, in response-so
at least che gave them to understand
to telegram from her father, who was
ill. The nightmare dream was over at
last-all the world was May!
She ran down into the drawing-room,
where Colonel Vavason leaned against
the mantle, tall, pale and handsome.
ooh, colonel" she said, brightly, II
am so glad to see you. Duke is coming
at two o'clock"
But she paused as her eyes fell on his
pale features, the look of mute horror
In lis eyes. -.
"Duke will never come here again."
said he. in low tone. "Be heroine,
Cora. Bare your trouble bravely. Duke
went away before daylight. he left a
note asking me to tell you. He loves
Ariadne Buckingham, and has followed
her homer -....-