Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-18

Their First Quarrel
act Sulzenheim caugh. Deming's eye and
bowed graciously toward him. In another
minute an usher came down the aisle and,
touching the critic on the arm, said that
the manager would like to see him in the
lobby Deming excused himself from
Madge and Joined Sulzenheim.
my dear young FRIEND" said the latter,
in a caressing voice, taking Deming's arm;
"I have a strong desire that you shall meet
my wife. She is a great admirer of your
writing, and want her to see what good
fellow you really are"
And he pushed Deming around the curve
of the lobby toward the box. The Journal
ist. was thoroughly annoyed, but he saw
no way out of the situation without deliber-
ately snubbing the manager, and this he
could not bring himself to do. So he per-
mitted himself to be led, a most unwilling
captive, into the presence of Mrs. Sulzen-
helm. As the door of the box swung open
he heard voice from within that thrilled
him, and he started back as though he had
seen a ghost. Sulzenheim still held his
arm, and when he felt this sudden spasm
agitate Deming, he elutched him tighter,
not understanding the cause Of it.
"Why, what ails you. my boy?" said he,
drawing him quickly into the box. There
was no escape then, for both the women were
looking at him.
"Oh nothing" said Deming in answer to
Sulzenheim's question. 81 only stumbled,
that was ALL" And then he turned toward
Mrs Sulzenheim, awaiting presentation.
This over, he recognized the Introductory
words that the manager passed between him
and the other occupants of the box, with:
"I have had the honor Of meeting Miss
Rinauld on a former occasion"
"Yes," responded Clarice, raising her
warm, dreamy eyes to his face, "Monsieur
Deming and have met on one former occa-
sion."
She took no further notice of him then,
pretending TO read her programme, as though
it was to be supposed that the young man
was there only to talk to Sulzenheim's vile.
The latter was q sweet-iaced, motherly-look-
ing Jewess, and she told Deming in quiet,
sincere words how glad she was to meet one
whom she had long regarded as the most en-
tertaining writer on the daily press. Deming
thanked her somewhat impatiently, while
Sulzenheim sat to one side seconding his
wife's opinions and scoffing at the modest
depreciation that the young man made to her
compliments. Deming did not doubt the
motive of the lady's praises, but he had
strong suspicious of the manager. When
the latter attracted his wife's attention
moment later, and engaged her in low-toned
conversation, Deming believed that he saw
the entire DRIFT of the old mans plans. He
could not now escape the necessity of talk
ing to Rinauld. He hesitated q moment
whether or not to get up and make his
adieus, but decided to the contrary, and
then took chair by the side of Clarice.
She did not raise her eyes from her pro-
gramme, and there was not a suggestion of
consciousness of him or herself in her atti-
tude or the expression of her face. He again
recognized the infinite beauty of this woman.
1t made his pulse beat faster, and his heart
fairly futtered against his throat. Her
hair in the dim light of the box looked
nearly black. The cheek, brow and neck
were like marble beneath it. The corners
of her eyes had the very slightest upward
slant like woman in an Egyptian portrait,
and the long velvety lashes .as they lay
heavily against her cheeks produced the
illusion of sleep, almost of death.
Miss Rinauld.''
No movement whatever.
"Miss Rinauld."
81 heard you, monsieur. Why do you
not say what you wish?"
strangely enough, that such an answer as
this from Madge would have angered him.
He wondered why from this woman the
words should not have a similar effect.
II only wanted to tell you," he said, ''that
am very glad to meet you again"
The long lashes swept upward, and Dem
ing could think of nothing but night giving
place to day. Her lips were wreathed into
a maddening sneer, and there was heavy,
stormy light in her eyes. She looked long
and hard at Deming-au efulgent, naughty,
offended queen.
Those words of yours are commonplace,
thing from anyone, and from you they are a
lie."
''They are the trnth," he said, land you
have no right to say they are not" And
he leaned forward toward her, determined
to meet her in her own angry mood. The
fire of both their eyes met and mingled.
And the sparks fell into their hearts.
"You humiliated me, "said Rinauld, gaz-
ing steadily at him.
"How?" he asked.
"You did not come as you said, and you
spoiled my drive"
"Your drive? Obi, With the Russian?"
Monsieur" Deming thought she hissed
like cat. Her eyes diIated and then con-
tracted again, and her teeth were tight set.
Monsieur lie Comte does not enjoy being
put aside in that way?" went oD Deming in
q hard, sarcastic tone. "He was angry with
you?"
Monsieur Deming, do not know that I
ever gave ycu cause to insult me-"
"You were blaming me for what you con-
sldered q brutality. And you ought to
know my reason for not coming to see you.
I am never second, Miss Rinauld."
Deming was fully aware of the fearful
implication of these words as he uttered
- a L. Ia r n e
but Of very mature delibera-
ton. He felt by this time the danger of
this woman's influence over him, and
strange, awful desire to say what she could
not forgive, 30 that he should be ordered
never to speak to her again, came over him.