The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-09-13


acter. OF course, whenever such insinua-
tions were made in my presence indig-
nantly denied them, bat was at loss what
more to do In the matter. Should warn
Mile. Claude against De Latourellef
vainly tried TO discover the originator Of the
scandal, and at last made up my mind to
call on Mile. Maryon, and II possible put
stop TO NJ. de Latourelle's visits. When
did call found only Miss Anne at home.
She was reading at the open window, half
buried in great armchair, and looked more
girlish than ever as she sprapg out Of IL and
greeted me. II would be impossible even to
breathe the word scandal " in the ears Of
so childlike a creature.
"Claude is out, am sorry to uay," she
began in her quick, nervous fashion :" but
II you don't mind waiting she will be back
soon, and she will be vexed TO miss you"
her at the window, begging her to 60 on with
poems, aud in the DISCUSSION raised as TO
Beranger's rank in our literature, Miss Anne
forgot to be either shy or awkward and was
soon at her best. We were still deep. in
argument when Mile. Claude came in. She
started little on seeing me, and the color
rose Quickly IN her face. She shook hands
with o touch Of embarrassment and talked
spasmodically and with an evident effort,
and felt my presence was for once, unwel-
come to her. | left as soon as could, feel
ing sure that something had greatly dis.
turbed imy friend and wondering whether
she had already heard what had come 10
tell her. Next day was enlightened. I
met the two ladies at the house of mutual
acquaintance, and was Immediately seized
by Miss Anne and drawn into quiet corner.
The girls expressive face was white with
trouble, and her eyes had the look Of a
hunted animal.
:, Have you heard 7" she inquired in sort
Of fierce undertone. Have you heard what
wicked, dreadful things people are saying Of
Claude-Clauda who is as much above them
as-as--" Here she broke down, and the
sentence ended with a cob.
/ began half evasive reply, but she
stopped me.
ii You have heard can see It in your
face. How dare they How dare they
Do you know II is NJ. de Latourelle himsel
who began the report. He said some hprrid
thing at the club OF. party, or, somewhere,
and people took II up. hate him and his
music | hate him so that should like to
Kill himr' she cried through her little
clenched teeth. I was almost afraid Of her.
she looked so pretty and yet SO unlike her
self; her slight figure was trembling with
suppressed passion. AS racked my brains
for some way of calming Miss Anne the
sound of English voices drew near, and their
owners, a young and an elderly lady, seated
themselves within earshot. They were in
the middle of an animated conversation,
which had evidently excited the elder lady &
indignation.
al tell you, my dear" she said in tone
~ 1,tc
priety, cit is perfectly true, and do wonder
MIR. Henderson asked her here this evening
to meet us. Happily, l don't see M. de
Latourelle here or I should make some
excuse and leave the house, though would
sooner have to meet him than her.
| felt Miss Harland clutch my arm.
"DOn't move !" she whispered fierce1y.
"Well, but, dear Lady Maxton," rejoined
the other lady more gently, you see, dar,
say, Mr.. Henderson doesn't believe thes,
stories against Miss Maryon; he is grea
friend of hers. II were he I should call NJ
de Lstourelle out and challenge him, anr
there would be an end of the scandal"
My dear Alice, how absurd As il a,
Englishman like Mr.. Henderson would d,
such an immoral thing as fight duel! Ant
what good would IL do even if he did
| None at ALL"
| VI COUTSe kuOW IL WOuiu US ITO IOOu III
England, but here it is different continued
the lady addressed as Alice. "You surely
remember that silly little Nine. de Papilor
and the tremendous oanard there was abou
her Irritation with the little Italian Marquis
Her brother called him out and wounded
him, and every ones conscience was satisfied
that she was an injured woman! | shoul'
certainly call the Comte out if were frient
| of Miss MaryOn's; she has no relation to d,
it,"
AT this moment a gentleman joined til
ladies, and the conversation took the usua
| turn of polite remarks about the weather
etc.
| turned aud looked at Miss Anne and sa,
a smile OF angry contempt upon her lips
She walked away into smaller room, whicl
was quite empty, and faced me with a lool
of determination and hope.
"That girl was rght-some one must call
the Comte out. will ask Mr.. Henderson
myself tonight" she cried. As If to favo
her intention our host followed us into tn
| with cold, agreeable manners and g0ot
deal of conversational power, clever jour
aalist, and writer of some valuable paper
OH political economy. Toward Miss Harlan
his manner was always gently paternal, an
he was one of the few people she talked t
with confidence and ease.
"Mr. Henderson, she said, going up Il
him and laying her hand on his arm will
an appealing gesture which brought a softe
look into his impassive face, Mr.. Hender
SOD, will you do me a great service Please
please don't refuse me.''
"My dear young lady, anything can d
for you l will do with pleasure. DO yOl
want me to publish something for you ?" h
said, turning with a smile to me.
sob! No." she cried impatiently, "noti
ing so small as that l want you to saw
Claude from these scandal mongers, thes
things about her, such wicked lies 70
know what mean and who it is. wan
you SO much to call ont M. de Latourell
and make him ashamed of himself. You viii
won't you"
"My dear child" cried the astonishe
journalist, "you don't know what you ar
asking. We don't fight about such thing
nowadays; scandal is lived down, not fougt
down."
"That may be all very we'll in England
but you know 1t isn't true here" appeals
Miss Anne. "They fight for the smalles
slight to honor, and know IL would put
stop to everything; | overheard some on
say so. Do think of Claude! Think wha
| IT VIII mean TO hef-what ~ does mean
her Why she is quite i'll ever since 81
heard 1t yesterday at Mrs. Brewers SD
told her of it 'out Of kindness, you know,
said the girl bitterly. "You noticed how.
she seemed I" turning swiftly to me. "St
had just heard the report when she came i
aud saw you. Oh what shall lido? Whi
can dor" Sue wrung her hands together
and her voice had wall of anguish in
, that moved me inexpressibly.
Mr.. Henderson was touched. He took III
hands in his and said, very warmly for hin
"Dcar Miss Harland, don't worry yoursel
will do all can to put stop to these r.
ports, though can't fight for you"
Miss Anne drew her hands from his wit
quick movement Of despair and rushed OF
, of the room. Mr. Henderson turned to m
am very sorry for the poor Child"
said gravely; ." but the worst of 1t is tina
though there Is not word of truth in Il
, scandal, there has been good deal of IL
, prudence, and 1t won't be easy to stop pc
! ple's mouths. De Latourelle goes abo
! limiting at his conquest with his usual grac
y full cynicism, confound him aud can 6
: nothing out of him but elevated eyebrow
|, and ambiguous replies.
III.
AS l walked home from Mr.. Henderson,
| Atxe, mad Ia. 1,nla nj. L..