The Forrest City times., 1891-08-07
A Terrible Love Story.
CHAPTER II.

Both of these women were remarka- ble in their way. Madam Dumasoue was cold, naughty and determined; i; Judith was equally. unbending and ob- stinate. She showed her proud mis- tress scant tokens of respect, yet gave her a perfect service; the mistress treated her maid with few marks of courtesy, and yet showed covert dread of her in the stealthy glances she directed at her from under her light eyelashes and in the caution with which she expre sed herself when she disapproved of any step taken by Judith.
 Madam Dumasque was mystery to her neighbors, although, when young Mrs. Despaed died at Lena's birth. and her husband, who never recovered from the shock of her death, followed her in less than two years, nothing seemed more fitting than for Count Despard's widowed sister to come to Fairview and undertake the bringing up of the orphaned heiress whose mother had been the only child and heiress of Squire Peregrine. Count Despard had been deservedly respected and loved at Abbotsford, in spite of his being foreigner; and among all classes in the neighborhood there was much sincere sorrow over his early death and pity for his help less little child.
 Madam Dumasque assumed the reins of government, and, after year of perfect seclusion and devotion to her infant charge, she opened the doors of taireview to visitors, and sent for an orphan nephew, a boy of thirteen, to spend the holidays under her roof
 Gustave Dumasque proved anything but an agreeable visitor to the servants of Faireyiew, to whom he behaved in naughty and insolent manner, besides playing many dangerous pranks with the horses under their care. He asso- ciated with the worst characters in Abbotsford, and, in spite of his youth was brought home more than once in state of standardization; but to every complaint of him his aunt turned a deaf ear, while Judith shielded him from the anger of her mistress when i occasionally burst forth. Therefore. instead of being forbidden the house, he came there more frequently and stayed longer, until finally he made Faireview his home, his shelter from all sorts of disgrace during his school and college life. and his asylum in later years whenever he became weary of debauchery. On the subject of his expected marriage with Lena he kept ID a constant feud with his aunt, while ne bullied her for money with which to continue the life of gaity he loved so well. Thus time had gone on until Lena had passed her eighteenth birth day, and had met her fate in Clifford Peregrine.
 On the following morning Lena rose with renewed hope and determination 1t the thought of having gone thus far without discovery. She threw open her window, framed with ivy and late roses, and looked out at the fair do- mains which some day would be all her own, shared and enjoyed by the man whom she loved. She gathered a cluster of the pale scented blossoms which nestled among the leaves. d. most regretful at taking them from the sunshine, the birds, and the bees. In her joy at remembering how near was the hour of her freedom. she would have dealt tenterly with the smallest insect crawling among the tender grass spread out before her; and. when she turned to her mirror, she saw that her face was gloriiied with the beauty ard the strength that her love had given her. Her deep blue eyes were gleaming brightly. her cheek was delicately tinted with the flush of hope. and as she fastened the fragrant flowers at her throat. she folt surprised at her own loveliness. Never had her mirror told so sweet a story. Hitherto there had been too much pathos in her face, too much repress- ed sorrow, which had marred what was so fair; but this morning. as she decended the staircase, Judith met her n radiant picture in her soft blue cashmere morning wrap. with the roses at her throat and the sunshine lighting up her golden hair. The woman. moving aside with prim Good morning turned, when she had passed, to look after her. then, with a sinister smile, went on her way. Unconscious of the effect of her beauty on Judith, Lena entered the room in which breakfast was us- ually served, and was presently join ed by her aunt.
 Breakfast began, and Madame Du- masque chatted ou commonplace sub jects, Lena responding with an ani- nation which amused her aunt, who guessed rightly the cause of her good spirits. After breakfast the girl wan dered into the grounds with book, absorbed in her happy thoughts. Her troubles would soon be at an end life would thenssbe all one fair garden full of the blossoms of love and plcas- ure.
 While Lena thus beguiled the hap py hours, Clifford had taken leave of his landlady, only remarking that he should return to 1.-The Blackthorn" in about weeks time.
 .Very good, sir,' said Mrs. Top ping. sYour old rooms will be wait
 ing for you; and me and my good man
 Il be right glad to see you, as you
 know"
 "Thank you, Mrs. Topping; I may put your kindness to the proof some day when you least expect it." return cd Clifford, with . meaning smile.