Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-07-08

less"
entirely. swear 1t, Gordon, on my
soul.n :
/ had cleared q little ground for NY
operations aud began forthwith.
"If YOU were free, ifyour engagement
with my Mary did not exist, what
would be your feelings to ward Madame
Msiines?" g.
"As they are noww
"What are they now"
"Fear of her when she is present; dis
like when she is away"
IL have one more question to ask,
Walter, / irnplore you to answer it
truthfully. What are your feelings To-
ward Nary"
II love ner-I never knew how much
until met Madame Malines."
The early Winter evening had closed
so thickly about Us that could not see
bis face; but judging by his voice, which
had for q moment lost his irresolute
character, believed him. We were
silent for some little time, aud la
our instance the singing Of the river
came up distinctly from below. A
clumsy Fiamande, one OF the servants
OF the hotel, entered and clamped about
the room, lighting the lamps affixed to
tie walls. She went out, and, turning
my eyes to my companions face, L saw
upOn II the intent look OF one who lis
tens eagerly. l listened too. Clear
through the rhythmic cadence Of the
swollen stream came the beat Of horses
Ioois and the sottened roll Of carriage
wheels on dead leaves, and, with = sud-
den shock OF sound, horses and wheels
struck upon the cobole-stOues OF the
Place PublIque, and fell into silence at
the door of the Hotel of the Star. l
looked inquirIngiy at my companion.
"Nlsdanie Mahnes"
Madame Malines."
III.
Almost as he spoke her name the
lsuy entered the room and came to-
ward Us; a woman OF resOlute carriage,
though short in stature aud slight In
build. Her head was perhaps little
dispropOrtIORately large, and tue express
sion Of the face was decidedly rather
masculine than feminine. The fore
head was high and broad, the nose
large, the lips full, the chm firm, the
che eks u little thin, but coiOred by the
Tuddy glow of health and recent con-
tact with the weather. But her most
remarkable feature was her eyes.
Without being of extraordinary sizs,
they were yet large, and Of depth aud
brilliance surprising those of any it has
ever been my fortune TO see set in hui
u, an head.
She came straight towards me, with
out b, stoW ing 30 much as glance upon
Walter, who stood awkwardly regard
ing u, and ED out TO ME tiny glOved
hand, which took little clunsily.
Good evening, Mr.. Gordon"
"GOOd evening, Madame MalineS"
She laughed little At my prompt
reply.
The bore of an introduction avoided
for once. My guess was right-as it
2, morally is. You are Walters friend.
VIII YOU be- mine, | wonder?
She Was silent, looking me in the face
with q searching glance.
"Ies, think So"
She turned To my companion. oval
ter, Mr.. Gordon and have business to
TAX about. We will see you at dinner"
He accepted his dismissal without q
WORT, aud went away, leaving Us to-
g,rh.r in the dimly lighted salon.
"Alr. Gordon" said Madame Maliues,
when We were alone, "whether your APP
pearance here will be a circumstance
for me to remember with pleasure in
the future, the future must show for It.
self For the present am glad of it."
Thank you, Madame Malines."
She waved her hand little impatl-
emily.
ave have much TO talk OF, and little
time 10 do it i'm. am glad of your ap-
hnra h..n,.ttSa h.. e
USE To me in resolving certain doubts
Of mine, ard for no other TeaSOn In the
world"
waited for her next utterauce, hav-
ing handed her u chair. She waved
me to another; | drew it toward her
and seated myself.
MIR. Gordon, Ii any understanding
no natter of what kind, friendly or
uIherwise-is TO he established between
u, we must be frank with one another.
You are q man vi business"
lam"
lam woman Of business. | have
certain questions to ask. Will you an
swer Them
III can do so without any breach of
cOntidence-iraukly and fully"
How long have you known Wal
ter%'
"All his life"
ultimately"
"Ies-mosL intimately"
"What Is your opiuion Of him.
/ slammered something-what, /
scarcely knew at the time.
Would you like 10 know my opinion
of him%'
/ answered awkwardy that | should
I. 10, ha,.
with which she might honor me.
~ desplse him." sne said calmly.
The spe.cu amazed me, and showed
my amaze nrenl in my face. she laughed
"a sl.ort hard laugh of doubtful mean
ing, and went on:
My opinion of men in the abstract
is not high. My opinion OF such men
a. il has been my lot TO know Is lower
sui. lfmy Judgment has been warped
10y unfortunate circumstances, that Is
NY los. You shall judge, Mr.. Gordon,
if you will. Will Tell you the story of
my life"
Sine was silent for a minute, looking
past me with distended eyes.
IL WAS an only child, and 1 never
knew my parents. My mother d'et i'll
giving me birth, my father followed
SIX months after. My only relative, al
uncle, WAS unmarried, and he seut me
To the Convest DIES Petits O,seaux al
Treilles There 1 remained until was
seventeen years Of age, poorly fed,
poorly clad, and badly taught, or, 60
tell the truth, not taught at all; grow
ing up amid universal neglect aud de-
spite. often wonder now, looking
back at that dresry time, that lived
through it, aud Oftener still wish
that | had not. AT seventeen | was
taken rom the convent To- be married
to my late husband, NJ. Nalines. lean
remember with what feelings / received
the news of my approaching release. |
was going TO exchange a prison for a
paradise, u loveless existence for one
sanclified by love. / believed men
loved their wives then, Mr.. Gordon; |
was only seventeen. That was my
first disillusi IN. The world remembers
my late husband with reverence ~ II
IL "A hi. ,x-,f