Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-10
1alss aud Sketfhes.
A KyICKERB0CKER LADY.
An INTERESTING ROMANCE OF NEW YORK
CITY IN Four ACTS.
BY GEORGE EDGAR MONTGOMERY.
CONTINUED from yesterday

| lOOnLlHutu lIou ycstcIons'}
He was so much in earnest that Mrs.
Van Duren became frightened, though
she continued to oppose him. Her whole
nature rebelled against this proclamation
OF the family honor" She tried, after
thinking the matter over carefully, to feel
that Miss Montyert had been guilty of
some trickerv which Walter had failed to
perceive 'She is undoubtedly an adven-
turess," Mrs Van Duren reflected. land
she has induced Walter to put faith in her.
She refused his ridiculous offer-but only
to help herself gain point" This was
Mrs. Van Duren's reasoning for several
DAYS. A week passed, and during that
time Walter did not speak again of Celne
to his grandmother. He felt that it was
useless to do so, that she might not under
stand him. On the other hand. Mrs. Van
Duren was often tempted 10 ask him ques-
tons about Cslne. But she, too. re-
NAMED silent, and an intolerable restraint
grew up between them. Mrs. Van Dur
en- suffered intensely. She slept little at
night and was restless during the day
She observed with pathetic misgiving that
Walters disappointment was darkenlng
his life. He was no longer bright. ambi-
tious, glad hearted He dragged himself
about with sprtless effort. When he
spoke his voice had a dull, hard ring.
One night her pride gave way to a gen
erous impulse. They were in the library
again. Walter was CHANGING at new
magazine. Suddenly she went over to
him, threw her arms about his neck, and
sobbed, Walter, Walter, you are msera
BILE and | am to blame"
"Mother !" he said tenderlv,
"You love her, it is true" she muir
INJURED. "Have you seen her?
Yes" he answered. looking away,
"twice. She will not listen to me-"
yet you have hopeP''
II can't give 1t up"
"But If she persists ?'
"Tben | must bear the sorrow"
"My poor boy If | could only help
YOU"
"You. you help me r' he cried. "Ah
dear mother, will you, can you? Will you
tell her that you are not opposed to our
marriage; that love her deeply, truly p'
! Mrs. Van Duren could not resist his APP
peal, though she was perplexed. But she
was ready to make a great sacrifice for
Walters sake.
"lf do as you WISH" she said finally,
in tire milling Voice-''if | call on this,
this-Miss Montvert-"
"Ah you will y he exclaimed, joyful
| ly.
at is not right" she said, making one
last faint struggle against him. 81 feel
that you are wrong, Walter. feel that
you have been deceived that this is ter
rible mistake. Yet-yet-what can do
You love her and-oh Walter, your hap
piness is worth everything else to me-"
| Dear mother,n he answered, caress
ing her hair" you, too. will learn tC
love her. Wait until you see her. Prom
Use rue that you will see her."
81 promise" she said, almost in whs
per,
The next day between and 3 O'Clock
Mrs. Van Duren called at Miss Montvert's
apartment and was conducted into Celine's
pretty salon. The maid took her card to
Miss Montvert. who was dressing for q
drive in the park. Celine glanced at the
card.
Mrs Van Duren!" she cried.
"What shall say to the LADY," asked
the maid.
"Say-why-wait moment" Celine
reflected hastily. "What has brought her
here-she. his proud grandmother She
must have serious object. Either she
imagines that | am dangerous person
who must be rid of-or else, mon Dteu
she wants me to marry Walter" The lat
ter suppositon brought smile to Miss
Montyert's face. .'Oh. no." she said, as
she tapped Mrs. Van Duren's card light
ly. THAT is impossible. The chances are
that she wants to buy me off-to bride
me. She is evidently afraid" Celine
turned to the maid. Tell Mrs. Van
Duren that will see her in a few min.
utes."
Mrs. Van Duren received this message
| frigidly. She was, on the whole, i'll al
ease. In the first place, she had not quite
made up her mind what her mission was
in Miss Montvert's apartments. She had
come. apparently, on an errapd OF mercy
vet there was no mercy in her heart. She
had come to speak for Walter; yet she
desired above all, to speak for herself
A half-u,tered exclamation of disapprova
fell from her lips as she observed the
decorations OF the room, which offered 81
strange contrast to the large. gloomy
austere apartments in the house at Spuy
ten Duyvil. Mrs. Van Duren was not famil
lar with ''modein notions" The prismati,
effects and rare bric-a-brac which delight
ed Celine seemed tawdry to her. Tn,
room WAS mass of little things-odd
quaint and beautiful. Oriental rugs wer
strewn carelessly on the floor. rich ant
embroidered stuffs were thrown acros
luxuri ous sofas and arm chairs. and
score of etchings and water colors GOV
cred the walls. There was brightness
color, art, everywhere. Yet Mrs. Va
Duren preferred the old-fashioned sim
plicitv of her fathers.
Celine did not detaln her visitor long
Five minutes after Mrs. Van Duren ha
entered the room she pushed aside hang
ing tapestry and emerged from behind
tail Japanese screen. She made so it'll
noise that Mrs. Van Duren was hardl
conscious of her presence until Celine sal
In low voice;
Mrs. Van Duren, believe"
The elder woman started and touche
the hand held out by Celine.
Yes" she replied, with cold polite
ness, land you are Miss Montvert?"
They sat down. opposite one another
Celine being the less constrained of tn
two. Mrs. Van Duren was intensel
grave. Celine was the first to speak
al have heard OF you, Mrs. Van Dure
from Mr., Northrup: have known you