Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-18


cent, ana Immediately my mind reverted
with some doubts to certain words of
McRhea' Liska's mother was an Eng
lish woman"
l thanked her; replying in a way which
must nave gone far to convict me of that
''sang-frOid," which characterizes men of
the world.
In truth l was thinking much less of
my words than of this superb creature be-
fore me.
1t had always been one of my theories
that women never attain to a fun perlec-
ton of their charms before thirty; and l
had now met the proof of my theory.
She was dressed in a morning robe of
viOlet-colOred velvet, with much old lace
s0ftening the effect near her face. and
falling in cascades to the little sandaled
feet. Her eyes, as they met mine, were
cOunterparts of Liska's-dark, velvety,
viOlet-hued-differlng from the child's
only in the added beauty of that frmness
of glance and repOse of expression which
come with years and experience. Her
figure was full, regular in It's curves, and
beautiful with the free, swaying grace to
which small-waisted, corseted women can
never attain.
Exquisite refinement and tact charac-
teriZed her manner. AS soon as | could
sufficiently suppress my admiration, L
fell under the influence of her easy grace,
and found myself quite sat home" in her
presence.
''You will no doubt be glad to hear that
have come directly from Liska," l said,
after few moments spent in desultory,
complimentary talk.
''Do you, indeedT' with much apparent
interest; but my keen ear caught the
GOODNESS under the tone, and, certainly,
the glowing color grew DINNER.
eyes. She is at nv home with my sis
ter. We have become much attached to
the child"
"Indeed? Your interest in Liska puts
me under weighty obligations to YOU
Col. McRhea doubtless told you that she
is unfortunate enough to have me for her
mother"
''COl. McRhea told me nothing what
ever" | replied, instinctively falling into
her tone of reserve. 81 accidentally dis
covered Liska's parentage, and l think my
interest in her dates from that time.'
l used the word ''parentage" advisedly,
and felt some degree of triumph when
the steady eyes fell somewhat under my
gaze.
lis Col. McRhea still in America % she
asked, evidently with desire to drift the
talk to other matters.
''No. He wrote me last just before he
left for an extended tour abroad. He
goes at once to the North of England" 1
looking steadily into her face
''To the lake country. If l am not mis-
taken that was once your home"
Her face had grown alarmingly pale;
but the voice was quite even and un-
changed in its tone.
"Oh, no. l spent some time in
Westmoreland some years ago. l was
never there before, and have not had time
to make another visit. | should like TODD
Oh Ill 81, i
carelessly. 1.-The scenery viii well repay
a tourist any amount of travel"
''When will you return to the cOnti-
nent, madameW taking up my hat pre-
paratOry to a departure.
''Not before spring, / fear"
sit is possible you will meet McRhea
then. If you return to st. Petersburg
you certainly will. For 1 know from him |
that he will reach the continent in the |
spring, and his first destination will be |
Russia and Poland. 1t is a sort of Mo- |
cts tomb, L think. He will go at once to |
on the Narew, to Carevna's |
grave"
She turned deadly pale, and leaned |
heavily against chair.
II doubt if / return at once to St. Piers /
burg" she said, after a few moments. Il |
am most pleased and hOnOred by your
call, Mr.. MAXWELL" she added with a
return of the winning cordiality of tone.
Il hope | may see you again before you I
cave the city. There are several little
souvenirs 1 should like to commit to
lour Keeping for my poor little Liska.'
In the reading-roOm of the hotel | was
encountered by Herr Mcneil, to whom l
lad previously introduced myself, and to
whose loquaciJy l was indebted for much
81 found the madame charming. 1t is
lot surprising that she should be called
the beautiful One.'"
"Ahr he exclaimed, removing his
"She was in a good humOr
hen. Believe me, she is sometimes not
quite so gracious. You mentioned the
axe country?" eagerly.
Eyes. And, incidentally, the Informal
ion you had given me concerning McRhea
md Carevna's grave"
''Ahl She is a keen reasOner. She will
)egin to suspect investigation. Many
hanks, Mr.. Maxwell. l think | shall
ind the beautiful one easier to MANAGE"
'YOu did me great kindness when you
my questions" l answered,
smiling at his almost childish delight. Il
lad no idea ] was repaying that kindness
~ endeavoring to gain still further infOr-
nation from the madame! She is not al
ways so affable, then?"
"There are times when she is the very
Ievil."
'She does not look like an English wo-
nan"
"And never did. Twelve years ago,
when she was studying at Milan, YOU
would never have called her English"
''She must have been quite a girl then"
''Well-yes," he answered, hesitating-
Y; 81 suppose So"
|'When did she first meet CareVna?'
peaking in a tone of idle curiosity.
The queer little German looked up quick
Y.
''Ah!' he calculated "That very win
er in Milan. A short while before she
made her debut"
'Did she create much of a sensation at
irst?"
Immense, sir; immense. She had less
nish and more fire than now. Fire always
atches Italians"
''But Carevna was no Italian, was hep
Il see, sir; l seep' he calculated; and
hen asked suddenly: care you one of
he Force, thenW
''What Force?" 1 asked, laughing.
''Detectiye."
1t was hated word He came closer
nd whispered it.
''Oh, nov' 1 laughed 'Did l not hand
-ou my ard--'GeOrge Maxwell, Attorney
It Law?' 1t is only that l feel much in
efeSU III certain person. ana Iear
he madame is doing that person great
larm.'
SOP he exclaimed, with the long for
ign information impossible to be described.
"A young person. All, ha!'
"PardOn me-" | corrected. 81 did not
ay a young person"
mo? Mein lieber Freund, I've been a
maestro twenty-five years." with the
lrawling information. 81 say "a young
person. Shall we have a bottle of wine
0 help us through this matter? Yes?
That is well. And now, sir" drawing his
hair closer to the little table to which he
lad led me, "Our Diva requires adrOit
She has become conscious of
Ter power in the musical world. fore
Zee that / shall soon be able 10 hold my
'wn with this beautiful one.' Tell me
rankly what it is you want to know. Any
l may possess is at your COM
nand.7
''But do not wish to do the madame
my harm
'IEXactly. Nor do l."
''And do not wish to appear OYer-anX-
Gus about matters which cannot in any
way relate to me-"
'EXactly. / understand. But this is
lot the question:" impatiently.
evil you pledge me your word that
-Ou want managing power? that you
will not attempt to injure Madame Mon
ani?"
'Iniure the madamep' he gasped.
'Mein lieber Herr, wherefore should l
eek the madame's injury? The madame's