Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-10-08
A LITTLE DECEPTION.

lowing Monday. after having introduced
me to Madame Van Renseler
She was Pole; and when | say her,
!, W ho had been astonished at Van Rem
sellers marriage with one who was not II
American, swallowed my surprise cola
pletely.
To call her charming would be by no
means doing justice to her.
Beside this she was in the very bloom
of youth, W lille Van Renseler was much
about the same age us myself, and |
was on the shady side of forty. | was
surprised, for l knew that the Colonel
when a boy had lost his heart toa French
singer who had run away with him, only
to turn away from him a year later. At
ter which he became a misanthrope and
fairly hated music.
had entered the Academy of Music
between the first and second acts OF the
opera, when the first person upon whom
my eyes fell in the corridor was the
Colonel.
Rushing toward me he seized both my
hands and shook them heartily.
"How are you, my dear old boy?"
"In capital health, as you may per-
ceive. Eugene, and delighted to see you
again, after your having so long left me
in doubt as to your continuance above
ground.
At this moment the second act was
about to commence. and he said:
Come with me to my box, and | will
introduce you to my wife. ="
AS he uttered this he opened the door
of the box and we entered
Adelaide Van Renseler looked around
with her finger upon her lip and saucily
mutinous expression, as soon as she
heard her husbands step
sank into a chair behind her, while
Van Renseler seated himself upon the
opposite side of the box.
A married sister of the Cooners, whom
had long known, occupied the seat be-
fore him. \ very cordial greeting had
been intcrchangrd between us.
For moment or two 1might probably
have envied Eugene Van Rcnscler his
position as married man had [ not
chanced to turn my eyes toward him.
There was the fellow who hated music,
WHO only endured it for Adde'S sake, :"
as he had just told me, with his eyes
closed and ridiculous expression upon
his face of the most supreme delight.
listening to Nilsson, and beading time
gently upon his knee to the aria she was
singing.
When the curtain fell the Colonel
turned round, just as his wife folded up
the programme of the opera, on whic |
had seen her scribbIing a few words with
the little jeweIled penciI-case attached
to her bracelet, and pushed it into my
hand
After Eugene had invited me to dine
with them, he babe me offer my arm to
his wife, and, appropriating Mrs. Corbyn
to himself, quilted the box.
AS the Colonel with his sister, pre-
ceded Mrs. Van Renseler and myself, |
felt her little kid-gloved fingers bten
upon my arm like a wise.
you must not fail me, Major.
Shortly after they were whirling away.
Crossing the corner of the square ]
stepped up, so as to catch the light of
lamp, and read the lines traced upon
the programme:
"Come to me to morrow at II o'clock.
Eugene will be away. Mind, you must
come. A. VAN RENsELER.
Precisely at noon the next day l sent
up my card to the wife of my friend.
1t was not long before the waiter re-
turned and asked me to step upstairs to
Mrs. Van Renseler's apartments.
If she had been charmingly pretty
the night before she was exquisitely so
now.
"Come enearer, Major, " she said, slightly
coloring. Then she pointed to an otto.
man near the center window. She turned
to her maid.
go into my bedroom, Rosalie, and
wait there until call you.
No sooner had she said this than she
placed herself in fauteuil Immediately
opposite me.
And so" she began, you are Eu-
genes oldest and best friend in New
York. really fancy I may compli.
ment him on his selection
With profound bow placed my hand
on my heart.
"Will you promise not to be annoyed
with any question may ask you, and TO
answer as truthfully as you camp"
Il promise.
"Iiave you and Eugene had relations
together in many atfars?"
She colored little, but upon my soul
| redeemed to the roots of my hair.
"Wait a moment" she impetuousIy
continued, "before you answer. DO not
imagine that am asking you about my
husband from any foolish curiosity. 1t
is because Eugene is making me very
miserable.
when became the bride of Eugene
I had only known him for five weeks.
lie met me, procured an Introduction
to my parents and won my Affection
oI, no, the whole of my heart!
"AIy father was disposed to rel c, his
pffrr, but Eugene bought his couacnt and
we we're married.
~ first few montl s after our briial
were passed in Italy. They were to me
Iivimrly happy days! 1t WAS long before
| ,ticeI, willie he took me rvrryWh here
,.ia". hr never took me to the oo ia. One
day told him ] should Ike to have
piano. >
And what did he say" was com
prllrd to enquire.
"lIr told me in cruelty ara voice he
detesled music in every shape and must
lraYe me if | insisted up N 'sql IIin,' to
h m. | thought Eugene really de'csted
music as he told me he did. "
Then you don't think SO now"
"How can L? You were watching him