The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-06-17


with Rose O'Haras sister, Madame Schi-
bert. who was an lncorrigible schemer In
the matrimonial line, had brought Kathleen
face TO face with the man whom Fate meant
| for her husband.
The fourth guest and only stranger at
Madame Schubert's English tea was CASTOR
Mortemar; and that evening completed
Kathleen's conquest. He was her adorer
and her slave from that hour. 1t seemed to
him as IL all life took new colors after that
evening. The leopard cannot change his
spots all at once but the leopard's ways and
manners may BIO considerably influenced;
and although CASTOR was still VOltalrlan In
his way Of thinking, still leyeler in poll
tics, he worked more earnestly and more
honestly than he had ever done before; for
he had assumed the responsibility Of win
ring bright future for Kathleen O'Hara.
The wOong and winning were easily
done, for the girls young heart went out to
him as Gretchen's to Faust. A little walk
on the bridge In the summer twilight, a
flower or twO-bJught in the flower-market,
but cherished as If it were a blossom Of
supernal growth-a chance meeting in the
sunny morning, when Kathleen was market
Ing, anu tleSC JNO WClb plCh5Cu W NdSlA
other for life. But Rose was terribly wise.
She seemed the very spirit OF wOrldiness,
and she refused her consent to an imprudent
marriage. When CASTOR had saved little
money, and could earn, say, three napOeons
n week-whch was less than the skilled
cabnet-maker earned-Kathleen should be
his wife; not sooner. Castor was earning
on an average two napOleOns weekly and
there was not much margin for saving out
of that.
Hitherto he had found himself just able
to live, clothc himself like gentleman, and
keep out of debt. And to do even this he
had been thrifty and sef-denying. But
what will not love do? He became as spar
ing as Pere Grandet; except when he wanted
to offer little pleasure, q theatre or cafe
chantant, to the sisters
Such offers were but rarely accepted.
Rose watched Kathleen like lynx, and al
lowed few tete-d-tetes between the lovers,
Never was glrish simplicity guarded more
c.osely from all peril of pollution. But, once
in way, this severe damsel relented so far
as to allow the two lovers to organise an
evenings dissipation; and 1t was on one OF
these occasions, almost Immediately after
Kathleen's engagement, that Suzon Michel
saw CASTOR and his sweetheart together for
the first time.
1t was a sultry August evening, the Seine
shining in the golden light of tho western
sky, the air heavy with heat. Durand and
CASTOR had bought tickets for the side-bOxes
at the Ambigu, where new play, by Dumas
the younger, was being acted, to the delight
of all Parls-or, at least, that inferior and
second-rate Paris which had not migrated to
fashionable waterlng-places and mountain
springs. Kathleen and CASTOR walked arm
in-arm along the quay, so engrossed In each
other as to be quite unconscious OF passers-
by. Faces came and went beside them,
voices sounded; but 1t was all dim as the
sounds and faces In dream. They lived,
they saw, they heard, they breathed only
for each other.
Close behind them camo Rose and her
faithful swain; and Rose, even in her ten
derest moments, was mindful OF her sister.
She was fond and proud of her stalwart,
gOod-looling workman-lover, who was so
fine q specimen Of his rank and race, as
much gentleman by nature as CASTOR
Mortemar was gentleman by hereditary
instinct; but she was not lifted off this dull
earth by her love.
AS they walked towards the Pont Neuf,
with their faces to the west and the sun
shining on them, Suzon Michel met them.
She saw them ever so far off; the tall slight
figure Of the man, whose look and bearing
she knew so well; the golden-haired girl at
his side, radiant and lovely in her plain
alpaca gown and neat little black lace bon"
net with clusters of viOets Nesting between
the lace and her sunny hair-those vOlets
which the authenticated Empress loved SO
we'll
Suzon slackened her pace as they drew
near her He would recognise her, of course
the false-hearted one; and speak her fair
albeit he had broken her heart by his cold
ness and ingratitude He would stop, the
audaciOus one, and braZen out his treachery
and make light of his heartleSSness.
But CASTOR walked on without seeingher
Ee passed her by, unconscious of her pres
I enCe, his eyes bent with impassiOned low
upon the pure pale face beside him, his lip
/, breathing softest words Suzon drew aside
and stood upon the pavement, looking afte
, them with diabOllcal hate in her face. Ros
/ saw that look, and clutched Philip Durand'
arm.
"Did you see that woman looking afte
. my slster-the woman at the cremGrie" sh
asked.
But Philip had been too much absorbed /
o his betrothed to have eyes for the divers e!
o pressions of the passers by, He was fu
o Of gladness thankfulness for his lot. II
W had been emlnently successful as craft
- man, had won medal for piece of fin
y workmanship in the Exhibition Of 10; h
- was looked upon as a leading light in III
y syndicate, and the dearest woman in ii
!. world had promised to be his wife. No
n that Kathleen was engaged there was l
~ more difficulty. SO soon rs CASTOR was
= fair way to maintain wife, the tw
!. couples would be united.
~ The evening at the Ambigu was enchan
% ment: but both girls refused the luxury
~ Ices at Tortoni's. How were lovers to |
n thrifty If their betrothed were ready to a
W cept costly attentIonsp Besides, as thu
y, passed the famous confectioner's, Ro
81 caught sight of a couple of carriages settll
-, a down some ladies and their cavaliers at
,,' side door, and those painted faces and rus
y ling silks belonged to world from whit
10 Rose 0Hara recOled as from pestllenC
" So they all walked home in the Augr
NJ moonlight, talking OF the play, and we
as safe in the Rue Git lie Cnur before mi
or night
~ Rose did not forget that look of Madar
80 Michel's. Her intense affection for Kat
- leen made her suspicious of Kathleen
~ lover Such look as that in young v
~ ~ mans face could but have one meaning.
1N I -.....ll l.n-lIa.