The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-10-23
evidently formed the whole of Mime.


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 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 a glimpse of that pale. agitated
face, and with bound forward seized
her hand.
Mrs. Molvneux-you."
''Yes, l." she answered, striving to
smile. ..Only please call me Mrs.
Stephanie, and remember that you are
my customer.
Il cannot understand this mystery"
broke in Algy, eagerly. ITO think it
should have been you all this time who
have interested me, and that l never
guessed the TRUTH
"Alas for mans power of penelra-
ton! But please go now; that good
woman yonder is astonished, as well
she may be. will be merciful, and let
You off a purchase this time, for | sus-
pect curiosity and not any of my
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; | must speak to
you. DO you think | shall be satisfied
with this half glimpse? There is so
much l must hear"
Mime. 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"
Twill. But please go now" And
so, without further dcmur, he went,
overwhelmed with astonishment, love
and incredulity.
Three years before. Mrs. Molyneux
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 violent temper.
and but two gambling and
drink. Surely, society said, it was not
for his sake that she remained so i'm
peryiOus 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 own stories to each table and
chair. The Molyneux disappeared.
| Society saw them no more. Report
| said he was in 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, aud the
Molyneux were speedily forgotten.
| Algy alone remembered always. He
| had loved the more because his passion
had been gently but firmly repulsed.
He acknowledged and worshipped the
| purity, even while he swore tiercely
! against the coldness that forbade his
love. 1t was with a 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.
Have you yet got over the shock OF
finding your old acquaintance has
turned saleswoman?" She asked, halt
playfully, rs they turned and walked
slowly side by side. "Well, l always
fattered myself l had excellent taste,
and am turning it now to good ac-
count, am l not? Besides, labor is
honest, and to feel honest is 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 alone? Are you Free
She put up her hand and stopped
him.
my husband is alive, but / would
4, rather not speak of him. 1t is enough
we are parted. | could not go 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
remained by his side. Existence was q
hideous nightmare; could not be hi.
dupe, his decoy duck-my whole sou
revOlted from such career; left hin
to bis own devices, and became wha
yon see-Madame Stephanie.
"Why did you ever marry him?" ex
claimed Algy bitterly.
"Ah, that is long story. and NJ,
mother We're alone in the world. Sh'
was old, we were poor. Mr.. Molyneu,
was rich, he would give my mother
home. Moreover. he was madly IL
love with me. was yOung and mex
perienced. ! acted for the best. ant
God knows honestly carried Out m,
part of the bargain. My marriage un
fortunately benefited my mother bu
little, for She died soon after. Thel
Lady - took me up. Society dis
covered | was q beauty, and my hus
bands ambition was gratitied. All! fey
guessed how beneath the rich drease
and jewels the heart was weary ;tn,
sad, Situated as i was, neither ma
nor woman could help me. Love wa
not free to give, friendship soon learn
was but a name. l was this fashion
my master was satisfied. He encouI
aged me in every extravaganza; the
upbraided me when ! learnt the truth
that his wealth was but q fable, and IN
admirers were expected topay my bills
There was one terrible scene betwee
US; then came the sale. l compelle
him to take me abroad, for ] sti
hoped. away from the world, out OF tn
false position in which ! had bes
placed, something like peace might a
least be ours. Alas, the dream wa
vain! One day learned that the yer
means on which we subsiSted were pro
cured from q rich woman separate
from her husband; then | fled. wen
to Paris, to friend of my childhood.
was with her the idea of a shop fir.
= originated. Itook few lessons in boz
pet-makipg, engaged competent fore
woman. sold my little remaining lewe
= ~, and took the shop, Thank God.
am doing well, and trust to realize
: profit by the end of the year."
''Impossible!" exclaimed Algy. "Ot
my darling, you cannot continue in thi
life. Let nae at least have the conSols