Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-05-26
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES,

eIIoss guttering eyes seem to burn thei
way INTO her very brain?
But Miss Duchesne had been the
school-frlend of Cora's mother, wear:
ana years ago, ana Cora had ALWAYS
humered her eccentricities.
III you choose" said she, half hest
Eating,
GIVE me your hand" said Mis-
Duchesne-"the same hand which vol
are one day. going to bestow upon Duke
Cnesterton IN marriager
Yes, said Cora, calmly.
white, plump, velvety little hand.
said Miss Dachesne, peering so closet,
Into the palm that her nose slmos
touched the rosy skin. LET me see
tet-me-see! The line 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
Sha will work yon sore trouble vet"
Miss Duchesne dropped the hand
took Oft 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.
Il 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 incredulouslv.
"Oh, but" said she, "that is quite i'm
possible. Duke loves me! He is en-.
gagged to me!'
Men are false as Mephistopheles,"
said Miss Duchesne, with energy.
There never was one yet proof against
the wiles of siren like Ariadne Buck
ingham."
Miss Duchesne, you must not talk So"
faltered Cora, with the color varying on
her cheek, and a startled look IN her
eyes. "Ariadne is my guest. Duke is
my engaged lover. /"
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
"Do you see that?" said Miss Ouch
esne.
Cora burst into tears and hurried from
the room, just as Miss Buckingham en-
tered from the opposite portal, ali smiles
followed by Mr.. Chesterton.
"Where is Cora?" said the brunette,
airly. ~ 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 Duke9 Bring them in here. I
am sure Cora will excuse lis 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.
Gross old thing" pouted Ariadne.
One would almost imagine, Duke, that
you were her lover, and that she was
iealous!'
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 Aria
dine had been brought up ON an in
come of nothing per annunl.
Every one pitied poor Adriadne, who
nevertheless was always exquisitely
dressed, went everywhere, and lived,
rnetaphorically speaking, on the fat of
the land.
She had written to Cora Leslie, her
mothers cousin, that she would like to |
spend winter in Philadelphia, and
Cora, full of sweet. womanly compass
sion, had promptly sent money for her
to come.
ST never had sister," wrote Cora,
sand I am snre that l shall love you
1early!"
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 Vavason, Mr.. Chesterton's
uncle, took him sternly to task for his
detection from the line of equity.
"Duke," said he, 81 may be little old
but all this looks to me like a
piece of first. class villainy! Miss Leslie
has neither father nor brother to inter
fere in her behalf. She is a jewel among
women and that Buckingham girl is
ieartless f1irtp
Duke laughed.
my dear unrle," said he. "you take
,nings too seriously. Cannot an en-
But one day, in blossomy May, Col
Vavason's card ives brought up to Miss
Leslie.
Cora was preparing to 90 out with
Miss Duchesne for drive. She was full
IF bright happiness that m orning, and
sven Miss Duchesne breathed more Free
y, for Adriene Buckingham had left
hem the night before, in response-so
1t least she gave them to understand
% telegram from her father, who was
II. The nightmare dream was over at
ast-all the world was Mayl
She ran down into the drawing-room,
where Colonel Vavason leaned against
he mantle, tall, pale and handsome.
"Oh, colonel" she said, brightly, II
I'm so glad to see you. Duke is coming
It two o'clock"
But she paused as her eyes fell on his
pale features, the look of mute horror
n his eyes.
Duke will never come here again."
,aid he. in low tone. "Be heroine,
CORA. Bare your trouble bravely. Duke
vent away before daylight. de left a
lote asking me to tell you. He loves
Ariadne Buckingham, and has followed
ler homep
And so Cora Leslie closed the chapter
If her first love-or, rather, Marmaduke
Chesterton closed it for her.
OF course there were plenty of people
o pity her with ostentatious sympathy, I
md plenty to say that they had prophe-
led it all along; plenty to comment on
5ora's trusting blindness and Dukes
'mooth hypocrisy.
BIT Cora held her own, valiantly.