Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-06-06
APREsENTIMENT.

ed chamber-a chamber with deep,
wide windows looking onto the Ro-
spiglioni Gardens of Rome.
A beautiful chamber, the studio OF
q woman artist, whose name was well
known to the world of art. 1t was
lighted by shaded lamps, and out of
sLadowy corners cleaned rich, artis-
TIC draperies and stands of palms and
flowers and odd. quaint cabinets laden
with china and bronze and bric.a -brac.
A group Of people were seated near
the open fireplace; there was a fra
GRANGE of tea and delicate comestibles,
and now and then the chink of cups
and spoons and the soft hum of voices.
1t was the day on which Nine. Mon
creffe received, the one day in the
week on which her friends and ad-
mirers were privileged to lntrude on
her solitude, for, as rule, she lived
a very solitary lie, and never had
been known to accept any of the invl-
tations showered upon her by the
English and foreign society who. win
tered at Rome.
She sat now on low chair by the
fire. A woman no longer young, and
with face whose pale and chiseled
beauty was marred by an expression
of intense sadness-the face of wo.-
man for whom life had held tragedy
of no common kind. Her eyes were
gazing dreamily into the clear, bright
flames; her hand, hanging loosely by
her side, was clasped in that Of young
and very lovely girl, who was kneel-
ing on the soft rug at her feet.
Music has many advantages. In
society it readily lends itself to use as
we'll as entertainment-it is an in.
centive to confidence and converse
tion. The voices rose and fell in
rhythmical cadence, subdued in defer
ence to an occasional chord, but not
in any way oppressed by the necessity
of listening. The woman in the chair
was silent; but her companion, as if
emboldened by the murmurs around,
nestled closer and whispered an en-
treaty. $50
i have come to-day she said, Just
to plead my cause once more. Do say
you will come. 1t will be the one
thing necessary to complete my hap
piness. Surely you won't refuse that.
The woman started as if aroused
from some deep train Of thought. Her
eyes turned to the young, eager face,
and something tender and compassion
ate came into their gaze. aa5r- Fl
Dear Estella, she said, Il love you
too we'll to. refuse any request that
might tend to your happiness. I
would do more for you than for any
one here in Rome, but | cannot be
present at yoRhridal tomorrow. Do
not ask 1t for I'D to refuse YOU any
thing. =
But do ask it, dear Nine. Mon.
creiffe, pleaded the spoilt beauty, the
belle and heiress of the winter city.
sYou know I always get what want,
and I want you-to-morrow.'
My dear, said the artist, sadly, If
[ could break my rule for any one, l
would do it for you. But I cannot.
Nothing would induce me to attend
marriage ceremony-even yours a
You always say that, ] know. But
why? Is there anything that you fear?
Or Is it that such ceremony recalls
YES the woman interrupted. 1T
recalls-it awakens--it is full of pain
and horror to me- Estelle. I should
be only q shadow to the sunshine;of
your bridal Do not press the matter
farther .'' .,.'' g. -.'Le5, ,l... ''.
The girl was silent. She knelt there
in the freight picture of bright and
beautiful youth, to whom the future
only showed itself in the golden light
Of hope, Softly the music rose and
fell. Tt had changed now to a plain
tive, minor melody The woman
shivered as the mournful notes echoed
through the vast chamber. e., 50 .
1T was just such a scene as this,
she said suddenly, the eve Of another
wedding day, and the music oh,
heayensl Why does be play that2
Why does he play that?''4 '4iJi1 .
Shall I stop him?' cried the girl, ter
rifed by the agony of the face bent
suddenly low in the light of the leap
ing flames. .....
She half rose to her feet but a ges-
ture from that slender, trembling hand
stayed her impulse, and she resumed
her former attitude 49,. yYR$aG&&
Did ! frigbten you, Estelle2 I en-
weaker than I thought No, don't
move, child; stay there, and while the
music lasts will try to speak to tell
you the reason of q refusal thai seems
SO ungracious q thing It Is no ca
price, Estelle, for | love you as if you
were my own child, and Thave prayed
for your happiness ever since I knew
that Price Giovoli had onyour heart.
You wish to know why'I cannot be
guest at your wedding? Shall I tell
you my story, Estelle. Or wilt
frighten you? We live ID an age u
realism--of incredulity. No one be
ieves now in dreams, OF signs #or
presentiments, and yet I know the
truth of each and all of these SO well
4Lok -, .o III ,xro,,, on No fnras ~, n