The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-02-07
CHAPTER II.

OAA&1A A4ZAO LIZ
During Gerald's next term at Harvard
he learned from his mother that rumors
had reached her of how Louis Bond had
placed himself in the hands, as it were,
Of three or four spi,itualistic mediums,
and had become confirmed devotee of
their theories. Then, soon afterward,
another letter from Mrs. Ravelow told
him If how Brenda had been to see her
ut THAT lady's home in New York, and
had wept plenteous and most pathetic
tears over the infatuation of Louis. "It
seems" wrote Gerald's mother, ''that
there is certain clairvoyant, named
Mrs. Leveridgc. who has acquired great
cont'ol over your friend. Brenda has
seen her once at meeting, where she
spoke in real or fictitious trance, and
describes her rs striklngly beautiful,
with slight foreign accent and u voice
full Of the most dulcet cadences."
A little while after his graduation, In
the following June, Gerald met this
Mrs. Leveridge. He had no sooner seen
ind talked with her than he realized
that she was odious. Not that she was
without beauty Of q certain sensuous
type. but her green-gray eyes hid lights
that repealed him, and in the coils Of her
glossy auburn hair he seemed to SEQ suX-
gcstions of serpentine temperament.
She had given it out in a vague way that
she was by birth Hungarian, though
about all her past chung the haze of
decided uncertainty. Almost from the
first moment that she and Gerald met
an antagonism developed itself between
them. Mrs. Levcridge appeared to
realize that her sway over Louis would
now be disputed, and that Brenda had
secured an ally. Still Brenda and Gerald
soon fell into q dispute concerning this
very question Of their confederacy. "You
are doing nothing to take my brother
from the clutches of that horrid woman"
shc ut length said. ut is 90 disappoiut-
ing. / thought You would usc your in
duence."
What more can do than I've already
doney' q',eried Gerald. "Louis is in.
fatuatcd. II you attempt to speak the
truth about Mrs. Leveridge he receives
your words almost in tho sense Of per-
sonal insult"
Brenda tossed her heal. "You should
disillusion himw she exclaimed. Eyes,
You should! II you were not indolcnt
about the matter you would!'
Gerald bit his lip. 'Do you want me
to make myself absurd both in your
brothers eyes and my own?" he said.
Brenda gave bitter little smile. II
want yoN to show that you have some
human compassion" she answered. "Oh,
not for myself no! For him
~'hom yoe once told me that you truly
loved!' sr
1t was on the verge of Gerald's tongue
to say, mot half SO much as love you,"
but one Of the moods that visit lovers
prevented this sentiment from being ut
tered. -! suppose Louis is at least mod
erately sane" he said. however: and then
followed some words ON both sides which
were hostile, if not positively angry.
Brenda reproached herself after Gerald
had gone away, and saw repentantly her
own rashness. But Gerald, stung to the
quick by her unjust treatment of him,
and feeling exasperated by the adverse
spirit in which Louis had received his
counsels, took passage not long after
ward for Europe, and remained there
almost whole year.
During this time Mrs. Leveridge be-
came the wife Of Louis Bond. Brenda
suffered the keenest pain at being
OBLIGED to welcome beneath her own and