Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-23

ing to small table. She had followed hel
mistress downstairs to the library with heI
cloak and other things
every we'll. Let me know when Sil
CASTOR is ready"
Eyes, my lady,"
Left at last alone Rhoda Werner turnes
up some of the lamps, and regards herself
deliberately in one of the long mirrors that
reach from floor to ceiling at either side OF
one of the cabinets Long and earnestly
she gazes as if her mind is filled with some
strange thoughts.
'Beauty is useless DOVER" she says al
last, with quick sigh, as if having arrived
at a conclusion. She raises her hand indo-
lently, and pushes one of the diamond stars
in her nut-brown hair little deeper into
its soft resting place.
The lamps fall full upon her, the long
glass gives her back her reflection. Such a
reflection! 1t would be difficult to imagine
anything more exquisitely lovely than the
face that now looks sadly back at its still
sadder reality outside. The soft, vet brill.
liant hazel eyes, the charming mouth that
assuredly was formed for laughter, though
little laughter has it known, the broad, low
brow, the delicate nose. the clear, pale,
healthy complexion, all form q whole
scarcely to be equaled. The brown hair,
rather in the Greek style, the high and
heavy coils behind studded with diamonds;
her long plain robe revealing the beauty of
her neck and arms is of dead white velvet
She turns from the mirror little i'm
patiently, and sinks into a chair. It is
true. she tells herself, that Natures dover
has been of little service to her. Nature
made her lovely, and her loveliness has
gained her nothing, save bitter regret and
ceaseless misery, and a vain, VAIN longing
for freedom that never will be hers.
Beauty-not half SO great as hers-has
brought some happy women love, and peace.
and joy. Even plain women have drawn
to themselves all these-and yet She
Oh, no: it is W orse than useless going into
it again. One does it so often, so often!
And always to the same end-tears, and
hatred, and futile longing for revenge.
AT this moment Simpson enters the room
again. Lady Werner had risen impulsively
the second before, angered by mist within
her eyes. and now stands with her back to
the door.
eff you please, my lady," begins Simp-
son.
'Sir CASTOR, ready-so soon?"
'No, my lady, But Lord Wyvis' man
has called with these; and his lordship's
compliments
''These" is delicious bouquet of the very
rarest exotics.
Flowers" says Lady Werner, immova-
bly,. "You can put them over there"
with your fan and gloves, my iady?"
"No. Over there" pointing to table at
the tarthest end of the room.
She frowns a little when the woman has
gone. These flowers are becoming too fire.
quent And Lord Wyvis is hardly the man
from whom to receive them. As associate
of her husbands and-no certainly not as
detestable as he is in any way; but vet a
man to be distrusted-to be careful about.
And of Late
She pauses, and her frowE grows heavier,
and certain naughty expression changes
entirely the expression of her lips. 1t is
plain that though the face is gentle and
loveable to admiration, it can still be firm
like woman who, if put to it, could emerge
from any situation not only triumphautly,
but with dignity.
Of late he has been too much en- evidence.
This knowledge seems to fash upon her
now for the first time, and slowly the blood
mounts to her white brow. And with it
comes another thought second revela-
ton: "Who has thrust him upon her at
tete and dance and garden party-who?"
As if feeling half suffocated, she lifts her
hand and presses it against her throat. She
would have liked to get up and walk about
the room, but her strength seems to have
forsaken her Oh, no! It can't be true.
It would be too base, too brutal. even for
him.
Yet he has favored the intimacy-he, her
husband A step outside brings her to the
more immediate business of her life. AL
most unconsciously she has shrunk back
into her chair as if away from her own
thoughts; but now she rouses herself and,
standing gives little sweep to her train,
and reseats herself-all in one moment, as |
! woman cal when her heart is aire-with |
Is unconcerned an air, as though her very
soul is not racked by hideous thoughts and |
oeliefs
She is indeed the very personificatiou of |
Indifferent beauty when Sir CASTOR enters
he ROOM
"a model OF punctuality as of all the
'ther virtues" says he with a sneer
He is tall man, sIngularly handsome.
lis face might almost be termed perfect,
ould bat the terrible lines that vice had
ainted there have been rubbed out of it.
lie is well set-up man too, broad shoul-
cred, and stalwart; just at this moment,
owever, he is scarcely to be seen at his
est. His expression is lowering and ma
gnant, and a devilish sneer curls the cor.
ers of his lips It is only furtively, a. If
he sight Of her pale pure beauty 10 hateful
} him, thatihe glanoes ct his wife. Their.