The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-04-08

10 small garden, on which opened side
door OF the chateau The sounds Of voices
and various noises proclaimed the pres
ence Of the new occupants, and Raoul,
without hesitation, led the way into the
vestibule, and opened the door leading in.
to large parlor,
Explanations Of surprise and pleasure
followed. Here everything had been
modernzed and fitted up with the luxuri-
ons extravaganza belonging to the age.
Persian carpets covered the floor; the
walls were concealed with crimson and
damask; crystal luetres hung from the
nigh ceiling, their glories being multiplied
In the large Venetian mirrors, Satin
coucbes, silded furniture, candelabras,
and clocks on marble stands took up much
Of the space, Every table held flower
baskets Of gold, or ivory, or ebony, while
here and there china monsters, and pieces
Of rare Chinese porcelain were scattered
with lavish hands.
What can it all mean y said the duchess.
"And done so quietly, too; il is like the
scenes in fairy tale, where all is changed
by the motion Of a wand!
Let Us go farther" said Adrienne,
I'VE can ask who is coming to take pos
session Of all these elegant things."
Valentine had already reached door
which opened into small ante.room,
This was also newly furnished, to cores
pond with tue one they had just admired.
No person was visible. They went on
until they reached the main hall Of the
huilding. Here a number Of men were
uapacking boxes, and woman was Civ
ing directions.
But she knew nothing Of the owner or
Of his whereabouts Orders had been re-
ceived from Paris by agents in TouIou,
and she had been engaged with small
retinue Of servants to oversee the care of
toe chateau after the rooms were refur-
uished,
In the main hall the improvements had
not been commenced, but although dusty
and faded, the hangings and furniture
we're Of a modern date, and in good con-
diton.
Valentine examined the apartment in
silence, touching the furniture, and walk.
ing up aud down as if intensely Interested.
Suddenly -le opened door leading in
o direction exactly opposite to the one by
which they had reached the main hall
and, before Adrienne was able to join her,
she was hurrying along broad passage,
lit by narrow windows and empty Of all
furniture
Henri de Calouue followed, and found
her trying TO open a door at the other end
Of tae long corridor,
Her eager, startled eyes, white cheeks,
and trembling hands alarmed him.
II will do that" hs said, putting his
hand on the heavy door-handle.
Yes, quickly; must see that ROOM"
"Why, Valentine, you look as II you had
seen a ghost What is it 7"
Open the door; there, knew III See,
the picture" A long, wide gallery, hung
with pictures, met his glance. She ran
past him, and stood with clasped hands
before the full.length portrait Of wo-
man, 80 like herself that Valentine might
have been the original.
"That is my mother I remember it,
and the room is just the same, nothing al.
tered Oh, Henri, something is going to
happenl feel it. Where is Adrienne I"
Here am" and Adrienne, entering,
looked around the apartment, smile part
ed her lips, "Why, Valentine the pic.
ture- gallery you used to dream Of and
where is the portrait that you loved to be
near"
Here, Adrienne, quite safe Oh. If the
chanoiuesse were here now, surely she
would tell me ALL"
ave have, by accident, learned one Of
her secrets" said the duchess, glancing
from the picture TO Valentine. "She has
had some powerful motive in guarding il
all these years, Valentine. Your interests
are, no doubt, involved; otherwise she
would not have deprived you Of this treas
ure, your mothers portrait"
"And the changes here" Valentines
eyes grew bright with hope. "Some on,
is coming; can il be my father"
at is more likely. Valentine, that the
chano;nessc, having arranged your affairs
has given orders TO these people in lou
lon 10 prepare the chateau for your recep
ton Some important concerns prompted
her visit to Paris. l do hope for YOU
SAKE, that am rlght IN my conjecture
But tell me, what drew you to this gal
leryr
II cannot tell You As child, spent
hours Of each day here; 1t was my favor
tie resort. / suppose the portrait was my
attraction, You see those newly furnished
rooms suggested nothing TO me, they
were quite strange; but as soon as we
reached the large hall, everything seemed
TO grow more and more familiar,
seemed to know where each door would
lead me il opened it, and instinctively
went TO the one leading to the corridor
1t was my old habit returning after al
these years"
"And is.it possible. Valentine, that yor
have no recollection Of your fatherT sale
Adrienne, her eyes filing with tears
"None, none whatever! have tried a
times to recall him, his form, his voice
but in vain suppose ] saw very LITTLE