Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1884-11-22

NSA A1~ SSAAV oA0A q 6AORS
mating and Persian rugs beneath. his
feet, luxurious sofas and easy chairs, !
flowers and plants in abundance some
chests of drawers Of excellent MARQUEE
terri, and scattered about on chairs
and tables some .silken garments of
delicate tints. A few bonnets on
stands. lace. wraps, fans and perf1miery, !
evidently formed the whole 1hof Nine.
Stephanie's stock in trade
A Frenchwoman, whose ,shrin tones
he instantly Remembered, came for
ward, and, in broken English, sought
to discover .monsieur's- wishes. Algy,
not one bit disconnected, declared that
his mission could only be fulfilled BY
Nine. Stephanie herself. upon which
the forewoman parted some heavy
curtains at the further, end of the shop,
and disclosed q tiny apartment, in
which madame, was seated at her writ
ing table. She laid down her,pen and
rose instantly, but at the first glance
at the approaching figure, she started
and would have shrunk back into the
shade, but that Algy had already
caught . glimpse of that pale, agitated
face, and with.a bound. forward seized
her hand.
'Mrs. Molyneux-you."
eyes, l." she answered, striving to
smile. "Only please call me Mrs.
.Stephanie, and remember that you are
my customer"
II cannot understand this mystery"
broke in Algy, eagerly. ITO think it
should have been you all this time who
horo frfa~ootoI - kl a..
guessed the truth!
"Alas for mans power, of penetra-
ton! But please go now; that good
woman yonder is astonished. as we'll
she may be. I will be merciful, and let
you off a purchase this time, for I sus-
pecta curiosity. and not any of nv
wares. tempted you hither. But should
you dare to repeat the offense, my
most expensive article shall be forced
upon you"
Il must see you; I must speak to
You. Do you think shall be satisfied
with this half glimpse? There is so
much l must hear"
Nine. Stephanie reflected a moment.
''What must be, must" she replied,
half smiling. ''Well, l will meet you
at Stanhope Gate at 6 O'Clock, when
my business hours are over. Does that
satisfy you"
Perfectly. But you will be sure
and Gomez"
II will. But please go now" And
so, without further demur, he went,
overwhelmed with establishment, love
and incredulity. 90" =
Three years before, Mrs. Molypeux
had been the acknowledged belle Of the
season; even royalty had, to a remark
able extent, worshipped at her shrine,
and poor Algy's heart was not the only
one laid at her feet. But Mrs.
Molyneux was as cold as she was beau
tiful; she accepted homage, but it
awoke no answering passion in her
breast, and she speedily gained for
herself the soubriquet of THE Ice
Queen" Her. husband was small,
dark and ugly, with a violent temper,
and but two rpassions-gambling and
drink. Surely, society, said, it was not
for his sake that she remained 50 i'm
p~ervious to alteration! 1t is hard now
a-days for society to accredit any one
with pride and purity. The Ice Queen
had her reign-then came the fatal
crash. The pretty house in Park lane
was sold, and crowds went to see what
the famous beauty had collected about
her. and bought her furniture at fabu-
lous prices, and charitably annexed
their " stories to each table and
chair. The Molyneux disappeared.
Society saw them no more. Report
said he was in a mad house and his
wife living abroad; but nothing was
known for a certainty. Other beauties
sprang up, less proud and cold, to take
the absent ones place, and the
Molyneux were speedily forgotten.
Algy alone remembered. always. He
had loved the more because his passion
had been gently but firmly repufsed. :
He acknowledged and worshipped the
purity, even while he sworc fercely
against the GOODNESS that forbade his
love. 1t was with beating heart that.
he awaited his queen, and went to meet
her at the first glimpse of the stately
figure moving toward him across the
grass. 80
''Have you yet got over the shock of
turned saleswomanP" she asked, half
playfully, as they turned and walked
slowly side by side. swell, L always
t1attered myself I had excellent taste,
and I am turning it now to good ac-
count, am I not? Besides, labor is
honest, and to feel honest Is a delight
full sensation" "'
"Do not jest" exclaimed Algy, i'm
patiently. Tell me all that has
passed since we last met. Why are
you here and alonep Are you free-"'
She put up her hand and stopped
him.. 49,. -
"My husband is alive, but I would
rather not speak of him. 1t is enough
W. are parted. I could moi 90 into all
the details that led ME to take the step
have in thus hiding from him. Life
with him became impossible. Every
womanly feeling was outraged whilst I
remained by his side. Existence was a
hideous nightmare; l could not be his
dupe, his decoy duck-my whole soul
revolted from such a career; I left him
to his own devices, and became what
you see-Madame S%tephanie."
"Why did you ever marry himp" e1-
claimed Algy bitterly. - 80
"Ah, that is a long story. I and my
mother were alone in the world. She
was old, we were poor. MI. Molyneux
was rich, he would give my mother a
home. Moreover, he was madly in
love with me. was young and mex
~Perienced. I acted for the best, and
God knows honestly carried cut my
part of the bargain. My marriage un-
fortunately benefited my mother but
little, for she died O after. Then
Lady - took me up. Society dis
covered I was a beauty, and my hus-