The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-03-09
A DANGEROUS WOMAN
BY au1NrRyE.
Who is that womap?"


Mrs. Darcourt looked at her brother in
some surprise, he had spoken in sharp
tones and his brows were contracted Fol
lowing the direction of bis gaze she saw
slender figure in russet crossing the lawn,
winding gauze scarf around her head as
she went.
"Whv, that is Madam Corell,n she
answered. "Editha's companion-a young
widow who came with us from the city,"
"A widow but she is not in mourning"
"Oh, her husband died years ago She
was married when mere child. Did you
see her facep She is a singular looking
woman"
"Yes, it was that which reused my
curiosity. have seen it before, l am Ger.
tain, yet where / cannot saY," said Hugh
Varneck. 81 caught but glimpse. When
get a better view may recall it. 1t is
strangely familiar"
His dark face still wore that look of
brooding perplexitv; he was conscious of
strange sense of aversion--a disagreeable
feeling reused by that fleeting glimpse of a
dark, perfect profile Where had he seen
1t before? What circumstances connected
with 1t influenced his thoughts?
81 may decide later" he thought, and
so dismissed the subject.
Hugh Varneck had that day arrived at
Darcourt Villa, after a long sojourn in
foreign lands. just before his departure
from his native country his sister had we'd
ded man several years her senior, and
nov the latter's daughter was betrothed to
Ralston, Hugh's younger brother.
Editha Darcourt was fair young crea-
ture of delicate ethereal beauty; and of-late
her health had occasioned her relatives
and friends much anxiety; she suffered
from no apparent disease, yet day by day
seemed to droop and fade like beautiful
flower that is 'blighted i the bud' Hugh
remembered her as lovely child, frail in
appearance perhaps, yet full of animation
and vitality; he saw now a languid, spirit.
less girl, with wan cheeks and lustreless
eyes, Was Ralston to be cheated of his
fair bride?"
In the evening they we're gathered in the
parlor, Mr.. and Mrs. Darcourt, Hugh
Ralston and Madame Corell.
"MissEditha is indisposed tonight" said
the latter with her pretty, soft accent
"She walked in the garden to-day and the
exercise wearied her."
Hugh looked sharply at the graceful
figure in black lace. 1t was so 1.-the ant
updulating in motion that he was reminded
of serpent; the dark face with the full
red lips and low brow was full of suppressed
feeling, the narrow, hazed eyes CLEANED
with smouldering fires; the bronze hail
coiled high upon the small head shone in
the yellow light.
| Ralston sang ballad and the widow
was loud in her praises; when he began {
second song. Hugh watched the woman
face. Her full lips were compressed anC
her eyes fingered upon the blonde head o
the singer with an intense gaze. Suddenly
she lifted her head and looked at Hugh er,
he had time to avert his glance of scrutiny
their eyes met and while the color rose I,
the smooth, olive cheeks, the delicate nos
trils dilated, and tiny flames shot from be
meath the lowering lashes. From that mo
ment Marie Corell was Hugh Varneck
enemy.
"What do you think of Editha's com
panion?" asked Mrs. Darcourt at the clos
of the evening.
'lhaye reached Two conclusions" an
swered Hugh. ''She is dangerous wo
man-and she is in love with Ralston."
Mrs. Darcourt laughed merrily.
''You always had such strange fancie
about people," she said. "Why, Mari
Corell is as gentle and harmless as dove
and as for loving Ralston-what an absur
: idea Her heart is in her husbands gray
in France Ia lelie France, as she says"
France-Hugh started-a train of though
was fired, and the light Illuminated seen
from the dark recesses of his memor,
France--P Paris "a beautiful widow al
Marie Corell, you are identified nowl II
turned without word and walked away.
The next day Editha came down frol
her room at late hour. She was sittin
in .he garden with her companion besiC
her when Hugh saw her. sHe advanced ar
took one nerveless white hand.
"How are you feeling to-day, Edilhai
he asked.
mot well did not sleep much la
!, night" she said, with languid uprisir
of her blue eyes.
"This weather Is enervating," J." said Mar
Corell, with slow smile. II was reslle
myself, but then while this frail child is
my charge never lose mYself-the respo
sibillty is always with me-"
"Yon are over anxious" said Edith
= 81 do not need such constant care and Z
votion, but YOU are 80 good, so tender"
She leaned back against the shoulder
her companion and laid her fingers on o
slim, olive hand with caressing gestu
Marie Corell touched her red lips to I
pale, golden hair.
ma ehereF she said fendly, IF Ct
c. and devotion would but bring back yo
, health. But II shall some day."
, Hugh TUNED aside with an lmpsreepti