New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-16
XIX.


Claire felt on this same day. like casting about in
mar mind for some pretext by which she might
,s,stpone her grand luncheon on the morrow. She
had passed a seepess night having gone to bed
without seeing HOLSTER. In the morning she had
avoided meeting him. She had no comfort TO ad-
minister, no reparation to offer. The mask had
beeu stripped from her face; the comedy had been
nayed to its end. She had a sense of worthless
ness depravty, sin. At the same time she reck-
leasly told herself that no atonement was In her
power A woful weakness which took the form of
woful strength, overmastered her as the hours
new older. Her thirst for new excitements deep
sced with her misery and anxiety. But she sat in
her dressing room paced the floor, till past three
IN the afternoon. There were numberless peopl
whom she might have visited there were several
receptions that afternoon at which her presence
would have been held import ant by their respect
I've gyers Even the known jeopardy of her hus-
bands position would have heightened the value of
hsr appearance. adding to her popularity the spice
ofcunosity as WELL
More than once she said to herself: Il will go TO
one Of these places. will show them how quietly
Ihesr the strain. If by tomorrow no crash has
come they will admire my nerve and courage. For
Il / once went, they should never discover trace
At vorriment or suspense. I think the fact of my
beng closely watched would even make me- talk
better and smile brighter. The wear and tear of
tie whole thing might make me forget little. too
And want so to forget, If canl'
But she did not CO. The morning papers lay on a
variable. She had read every word that they had
10 tell her of the fierce financial turmoil Some OF
,hs stern figures they quoted made her heart utter
with alright; some of their ominous and snaring
editorials wrought an added discomfort
fha CHI Qd oil
vonld remain as 1t had been before Or If not pre-
sisey that the general outward effect would continue
cutie the same She would shine among her
eourtiers; she would dazzle and rule He would
feel his wound now that be knew the pitiless truth
Of her indifference but he would make the engross
ipgyentures of his busnesslife drown its pain until
this had perhaps ceased forever. They would drift
further apart than they had ever done in recent
months but TO the eve of the world there would be
Indifference 1t was possible that he would vex
her with no more reproaches 1t was probable that
Is tine passed he would forget that he bad ever
had any reproaches to Offer
While Claire's reflections, nervous and httul
took by degrees some such shape as this she found
ssesperate yearning pleasure in the hope that she
night still drink the rim odpiteur of worldly success.
Gbe almost felt like flinging herself on her knees
and praying that the delicious cup might not for
ever be dashed from her lips To this stage had
her triumphs brought her. She was the same
woman who had made those resolves of abstinence
md reformation which her biographer has al
ready duly chronicled. She was the same woman
vhose conscience had smitten her with sense OF
higher and purer things when the farewell OF
Thunton warned her by such appalling remon-
szsnoe, and when she found herself confronting
Der fathers placid tomb amid the solemnities OF
Greenwood And yet how abysmal was the differ
mce between then and now! The chance OF radi-
al change in heart, aim and ideal had then been
gwen her; but now all thought of such change
only woke wilful. imperious dissent. Her vision
turned upon her own soul to-day. and showed her
lie mighty lapse from grace, its supne and incapa-
be droop. The debasing spell had been woven
What counterspell was potent enough to break it 7
Occasional flashes of regret and aspiration might
veil assai her spirit, or of recognition that she
. had lost high contentment in gaining low one.
This was natural enough. 1t has been aptly put
INTO metaphor that the saddest realm of Purgatory
shat from which the walls of Paradise are visible
BY four o'clock Holster had not returned
But Mrs Diggs had made her appearance
instead and Claire welcomed 1T as happy
nEef from the torment of her own thoughts
Ny DEAR" said this lady, there has been nothing
osfeadful in Wall Street since the crisis OF the
! nmed Black Friday. My poor Manhattan came
home at about three o'clock, utterly jaded out.
nale him 20 to bed. He could scarcely speak to me.
i@ked him about your husbands affairs, but he
pave me only mumblng answers; excitement had
4 bit him into kind of stupor, don't you knowf"
\ Yea assented Claire understanding the nature
Hthe collapse perfectly $50 he told you nothing
uHerbert's affalrsi Nothing whatever"
Nothing that / could really make out. should
Nn wild state. and have feeling about the
oes Of my feet as if were already going barefoot
aent you know, had not long ago insisted upoi
1xnhattan's putting very large and comfortable
Nm safely away in my name"
Claire thought OF the house that had been as
ssned to her. of her jewels OF her costly apparel
cut to remember these merely aggravated ne
stless. What meagre wreck they would leave
'om the largess of her past prosperity!
wouldn't be awfully worried, If l were you
pntinned Mrs Diggs. IF the worst should come,
"af husband will DO sure TO save something hand
os These great spectators always DO. Some
thousands always turn up after the storm has
""n over Perhaps he will begin again, and &c
*slder things than ever before"
!. That Is cold consolation" said Claire, with O
inter- smile.
Know 1T is for you, Claire, dear. who have beer
ns away hundreds to my dimes. might say
INC things, but won't Knight talk of retribu-
"r your extravagances. and all that. But
est the je voas Parais biet dit style of rebuke
- aont want to rebrke you q bit You hav
faults, OF course. But you're always my sweet
''ui Claire. My heart will ache for you /
s'n'ae frightful should happen. say it to you
oear, as would say It. behind your back
9U1hed 1870 l.. ILL.,. r-.--55 4 i--Lfs ySe~rnS0