Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-08-02

from these scandal mongtrS these people
who are saying such horrid things about her
such wicked hesl You know what | mean
and Who 1t Is IWsnt you 30 much to cal
out N. de Latourelle and make him ashamed
of himself. You will won't your
my dear child" cried the sstoulshed
Journalist, you don't know what you are
asking. We don't 6ght about snch things
nowadays: scandal is lived down, and not
fought down" !,
THAT may be all very well in England,
but You know il isn't true here" appealed
Miss Anne, unconsciously quoting her
mentor. They fght for the smallest slight
to honor, and know IT would put stop to
everything: overheard some one say SO
Do you think Of Claude Think what it
viii mean TO her; what it does mean to her !!
Why she is quite i'll ever since she heard It
yesterday at MIRA Brewers She told her OF
It out of kindness you know" said the girl
| bitterly You noticed how'll abe seemed
turning swiftly to me She had Just heard
the report when she caue in and saw you
Oh what shall do? What can d1y
She wrupg her hands together, aud be-
voice had a vail Of anguish in it that moved
me inexpressibly.
Mr. Henderson was touched He took
her hands in his and said, very warmly for
him:-"Dear Miss Harlsnd, don't worry
Yourself. will do all l can to put stop
to these reports, though | cant fight for
you" .,
Miss Anne drew her hands from his with q
quick movement OF despair and rushed out
of the room. Mr.. Henderson turned TO me
liam very sorry for the poor child he
said gravely, but the worst OF 1t Is that
though there is not word OF truth IN the
scandal, there has been good deal Of i'm
prudence, and it won't be easy to stop
peoples' mouths. De Lstourelle goes about
Inning at his conquest with his usual grace
ful cynieism. confound him! aud can get
nothing out of him but elevated eyebrows
and ambiguous replies.
We moved into the next room again as
he spoke. and looked eagerly for Mile
Claude, but she was nowhere to be seen
She must have left Just as we came IN, for
| saw no more of her or Miss Anne that
evening.
AL walked home from Mr.. Henderson
| turned The whole affair of De Latourelle
and Mile. Claude over in my mind; | had
an idea. and determined if possible to carry
il out. Why should not be the champion
of nv fIiend's honor and challenge the
| Comte? The more thought of 1t the more
| fred was my imagination with the plan.
Miss Anne was right; Mile. claude was
really i'll with the pain Of her present
position; her voice had hard ring In 1t
| and her manner was feverish and uncertain
! | had noticed this even in the few moments
before had been carried off by Miss Anne
A great sensitiveness to praise or blame
was a marked feature in Mile Claude
character and proof of her very womsnly
nature; il was so inconsistent with her deb
ance of little social conventionaltiet.
knew now that she was suffering, aud Liked
| her too we'll to be indifferent in the matter.
| There was only ole drawback TO my chlval
rous plans, and that was my mother, Who
had no help and stay in life but myself. She
was all English woman who had Offended
her people bY her marriage with poor
foreigner; they had entirely repudiated her
and even after my fathers death refused to
eceive her again. She was living IN Z aris
with my fathers only sister and in the event
of NY death would be left without penny
or protector in the world slept very tile
that night, but next morning had decided
10 defend Mile. Claude called in the
afternoon and found both the ladies at home.
| They greeted me with their usual friend
illness, but there was something of brightness
wanting. After few desultory remarks
ON the weather, Mile. Claude herself gave
me the opening needed.
You were at Mr.. Henderson's last night,
Monsieur B, but you hardly spoke to me;
| Anne completely monopohsed YOU, aud l
had to scold her atterward. She looked at
the girl. who colored sensitively, thong d the
! look was more of a caress than reproot.
Mics Harland may have told you the
nature of our conversation, MademoiSeller
She bowed grave assent and | continued:
i cannot tell you how ! regret that SO
infamous lie should be put about BY q
man who had been honored with your friend
ship. There seems but one way to put q
stop to the scandal Mile. Claude looked
I'D quickly at me-"and once for all retute
it, and that is for some friend to call the
Comte out. May venture to claim that
title for myself and have the honor Of defen,
ding your name which is very dear to me?'
spoke warmly, and was repaid BY Miss
Anne flush of Joy
How noble and good you are" she cried
starting up impulsively, with outstretched
hand. Mile. Claude laid hand on her arm
and stopped her. She was very much
moved.
Monsieur B, | don't know how to thank
Won for your generouos desire to serve my
interests; but this must not be feel SURF
You will respect my earnest wishes in this
matter. l will have no ones lite SACRIFICED
to my poor reputation; if it cannot take
care of itself it is hardly worth fighting for.
There was an indescribable pride aud dig
ri,y in her manner. You are forgetting
rour mother, too"-her beautiful voice sot
tened; your first duty is to heS and yor
would risk leaving her without q nstura
protector and deprive her Of her only
Joy in life
| knew Mile Claude was right, neverthe
less had all young mans and French
mans horror of cowardice.
1T looks as if were afraid | objected
my dear friend" rejoined she eagerly
|
desire to help me looks honorable enough
but it 10 none the less temptation to whicl
won't have you yield. Not another word
Anne" she said imperiously to her httl
friend who looked the picture of distres
and was evidently about to dissent from thi
verdict. Il am utterly sick Of the subject
Do let US find something more interestln
TO talk about
saw it was hopeless to attempt to resso
with her and almost wished / had worke
out my plan without her knowledge bu
nv conscience told me she was right aud
resigned my hopes Of silencing De Lator
relic, with sigh, and yet sort of relief
Mile Claude turned the conversation upo
lighter topics and | spent pleassnter ate
noon than could have thought possibl
under the circumstances,
".
For more than a week came and weI
to Mile. Clsude's house as though nothin
had happened, but could see that she Wa