Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-08

/ YOU are clever. and should like you to
take charge of an important suit Tor me.
Walter had by this time, recovered DIS
presence of mind, though he felt seif-con-
scious.
"Will you sit DOWN." he asked.
She accepted this invitation graciously.
I'm the first place." she began. ''let me
introduce myself" 1Tr BILE
She opened a small silver corded hand
bag, drew a card from it and gave 1t to
him. He read the name on it and started.
..Miss Celine Montvert." he exclaimed.
Yes. You have heard OF me?"
oh that is to say-of course. You
we're"
"Mrs. Edward CAVIAR. You remember.
naturally, the famous Gayar divorce case.
I am now an unmarried woman. l was
unfortunate, or to be candid, indiscreet.
Mr.. CAVIAR saw me at the theatre two
wears ago. He admired my acting, and
mon Dieu he asked me to be bis wife.
| married him and-repented afterward.
Can you imagine such folly? But Mr..
CAVIAR is still troublesome"
"Ahm
Let me explain the situation. Before
| married Mr.. Gayar | had been quite sue
cessful on the stage. A mixture of French
and American blood is apt to make good
actress. was tolerably good actress,
and-well, was popular. Many valua-
BILE gifts we're sent TO me. | accepted
them, of course, that is our way. Lucki-
", knew how to save money. When |
became Mrs. Gayar had $4,000 and at
least $4,000 worth of jewels gave
c,Lo 1a .
folle, NEST ce pas ITO be placed for me in
his safe He has taken good care OF them
in fact. can't induce him 10 relinquish
them"
And you want the jewels?"
Undoubtedly. They are mine" Her
black eyes sparkled viciously.
{. You can prove that they are yours -
"Yes."
Walter reflected seriously. He was in
a dilemma He thought of his grand
mother. Would she not be shocked If he
became the public champion OF Miss
Montyert? But, he reasoned, lawyer is
| a LAWYER And, secretly. he was con
vnced that Miss Montvert had been cruel
ly wronged. Walter had warm heart.
he was young-and youth is dream. He
decided in glow of chivalrous emotion,
to accept the pretty actress as great OPP
portunity.
You wish me to bring suit against
Mr.. CAVIAR ?" he inquired.
"Preclsely."
VERY well; will take the case. Can
you come to my office tomorrow after
noon ?"
She arose with graceful frou-frou.
81 shall be here at two"
She held out her small hand to him !;
he touched it, and-she was gone.
II.
1t must be confessed that Mrs. Van
Duren was astonished and mortified when
she learned that her grandson had con-
scented to associate his name with that OF
an actress-an actress, too, who had been
discussed rather freely in the newspapers.
1t should not be forgotten that Mrs Van
| Duren was one of those women who
cherish reverently the traditions of their
race There was an aggressive knicker-
booker tradition that actresses should not
be spoken of in polite society. The
straight lacing of Mrs. Van Duren's an
cestors was bound about her, as strong
wire is bound about the fragile shoots of
| n ucllCdtc pldht. onC was supply ahN III
geniously believer IN the things which
she had been taught to regard as sacred.
This made both the charm and the weak
ness of her exquisitely gentle character.
She was eager to have Walter demon
strate his talent; but she shrank from the
possibility of his touching the world too
closely.
The case of Miss Montvert against Mr..
Gayar excited a great deal Of interest,
and Walter threw a stubborn strength. an
immense enthusiasm, a bright and even
brilliant dexterity, en- the side of his pref
| ty client. There were clever lawyers on
the other side, but they lost ground from
the first day. After long and bitter
struggle, which was carefully described
in the newspapers, Miss Montvert recov-
cred her jewels, and Walter was recog-
nized as an astute and forcible debater.
If the Montvert Gayar case had ended,
tor Walter Northrup, when verdict was
given ill favor of the plaintiff. Mrs. Van
Duren might have been till the end of her
days perfectly happy woman. His sue
cess deepened, if possible, her love tor
him. He was her hero. Outside of his
lite there was little that she cared tor.
The extravaganza of her sentiment may
seem trife ludicrous, but one can always
find a hint of humor in the love of certain
women for certain men.
(TC be continued.
|