Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-26
CONSCIENCE.

The young duchess of st. Stephens was
the most beautiful and most friendless wo-
man Of her time 1t was her own fault that
she was friendless; every one, men and wo-
men alike, would be intimates, would be
lovers, she treated with chill disdain, or
Indifference perhaps, which isolated her.
OF course there were would be lovers
The young duchess was q noted beauty, and
har very indifference made men sigh for
the distinction Of conquest. There was mo
harm" in this OF course, for everybody knew
that the duke had very fine house at Ham
mersmith, standing in lovely gardens, and
that he visited it daily when il town. Those
who cared to observe had seen dainty vic
toria, which was always much admired in
the park, drive out Of the gates of this house
and its sole occupant always the prettiest
little woman in the world, whose blue eyes
looked laughter perpetually. If this was the
dukes taste why had he married Claudia
Vaudeville the dark, silent, sphinx like girl,
who, from her first appearance in society,
had always carried herself with the air of a
tragedy queenf Mono could tell, though
many conjectured. But 1t was quite well
known that the duke and duchess had quar-
relied bitterly the day after marriage. Since
then the duchess had dwelt alone, and the
duke had found solace in the society Of the
merry, blue eyed little lady who accompa-
MED him on his incognito trips abroad. In
town and III Scotland, at the chief country
aouSes where entertaining had to be
done, at other peoples houses on
visits, the duke and duchess were
n1x fr,r~ nd rh h@rx 6.-o
they must be, thought every one TWAS not
difficult 10 amuSe the duke; in the unfortu-
nate absence Of the blue eyed lady, he was q
man OF easy and ephemeral anours. But no
one ever succeeded in amusing the duchess.
1t was well known that before her marriage
she had been engaged TO Lord Vsne, and it
was al accepted fact that the breaking of Of
that cement had been the result Of q
lovers quarrel, and the marriage OF Claudia
with the duke matter Of pique ON her part.
1t was understood, therefore, that she was
still attached to Lord Vane Why in the
world, then, said the cynical, did he not come
and carry her prayer book and fan for her,
and visit tho same country bouses like tho
elegant and indistinguiShable heroes of
"Ouida's" novelist But no, Vane was on the
war path again; he had gone Off in his,yacht
to unknown seas; perhaps he was shooting
seals, or something equally absurd and in
human AT all events, he was not dangling
after Claudia, his one time inamorata.
And yet she was the one central spot on
this globe to him. He never went near her,
for he believed be loathed and hated her. Yet
go where he would and amuse himself as he
might, his thought was really always with
this inexplicable woman.
Quite young-so beautiful that the way
her dresses were made really hardly
mattered. and her face was never touched
with anything but honest water--a woman
admired and courted, yet quito alone. Two
men had loved her, and each had parted
from her for life after terrible quarrel
What mystery was it that made her SO iso-
latedi People asked the questions In vain.
1t was evident that the duke, though ne kept
up all necessary appearances before society
with painstaking punctiiousness, was in
reality as far and entirely separated from
bis wife as was her old lover, Vane, on his
distant seas.
Of course the duchess was very much talked
about but there was no scandal except the
slumbering one which associated her with
Vane This woke suddenly into life when
Fane came home right in the middle Of the
season, as he generally did. He being per-
Son of some Importance In many ways, the
moment it was known he was in town his
breakfast table became richly ornamented
with cards and notes of invitation, on which
were emblazoned ali sorts of beautiful crests
and notices The duchess of St Stephens in
vited him to a political dinner. He went,
and found her the same cold beauty, talking
cleverly, though very little She seemed
hardly to notice him. Then the duchess Of
St Stephens invited him TO great ball, one
of the solemn and splendid functions OF the
season which it was her duty to preside over
She looked glorious; but he caught ono
look of agony in her eyes, like a look in q
hunted animals. 1t made him sick About
e o'clock he left, and went away on foot
along the square. 1t was q soft summer
morning; he Lit cigar, leaning against the
ratings Of sleeping house, and watched that
other one oil alive and ahght.
There ne stood thinking till the carriages
began to roll away, and then till they were
ali gone. The door was closed and the lights
put out Suddenly the door opened, aud
then shut quickly. A figure came down the
steps and came toward him. lie drew his
breath hard. 1t was the duchess, with a
travelling dress, hat and veil on, g little bag
in her hand What on earth did this meant
He started forward as she approached him
"What are you going to dor be exclaimed.
speaking without thought.
She opened her great eyes in auazenent at
the sight of him.
What are you going to dor he repeated
fercely, his heart panting-he knew not why.
Long afterward he understood that the
Rgony Of that moment had hinged On that
one thought-who was she going tot
She answered him very quietly:
~ am going TO do what you neglected.
Rm going to give myself up to the police"
.Do You mean iti" he asked, thunders,ruck.
II mean itln she answered, in q tone that
carried conviction with it.
at that moment another voice broke tn.
They had not noticed any one approach.
"You will return home" said this voice.
breathless with haste, 'whsssver else you
may have meant 70 don
1t was the duke Both turned and faced
him. but he looked only at Vane
al suppose you are my wife's lover" be
said, "but if you compromise her viii kin
you"
vsne looked back at him True, the duke
was uncommonly like q tiger just now, but
then Vane had shot moro than one tiger In
his TINS.
''Cor.prornise men cried out Claudia, pas
sionaSely, and both men started and turned
Nsithar OF nheru had ever heard this sounatn