The Dickinson press., 1893-09-30

Corona did not weep, her burning eye
balls refused to shed . single tear; She sat
silent and still in the solitude OF her cham
Der, meditating on the great sorrow that
had o%vertaken hcr-wondering whether
she should ever find strength enough TO
surmountit. Corona was impulsive. proud,
impatient and impetuous. Pau Favarge
would never again be to her the Paul Fa-
varge he had been only q few short hours
ago. She had already torn the image from
her bosom and placed it under her feet.
She recalled certain words spoken to her
that night by the Count dc Brandenburg;
and she thought how proudly She could
avcnse the wrong done her by Paul. She
did not reflect on the future, the present
alone was before her, and the present was
oil she seemed to care TOR now.
was lying near her-Ih lac been returned
to my mistress after the periormance-and
l heard her sigh over and over again. and 1
saw her clasp her small hands and wiring
them %tightly--oh. so very, very tightly!
Once she took me up aud kissed me
pa%ssiOnately; then, as ii | had Stung her,
She dashed me on the table near her, aud
cried aloud with anguish.
"Pertidious trai.or." she exclaimed. start
ing to her feet, and rapidly pacing the
room to and fro. "Never more in affection
shall he touch my fingers! No: he and l
above him into a sphere utterly beyond
his feeble reach; l will become the Countes,
de Brendcnburs, and leave him to remain
Paul Favargc. principal travcdian OF the
Emperor's Theatre, Paris! Let linn wed
Mademoiselle Ladr"; she's welcome to him
Dow. for no longer care for him!'
Corona did not close her eyes that night;
sleep would not come near her. She was
deriving herself. Paul. although wrench
ed from her bosom. could not be easily for
gotten by her. How she tossed about
among her pillows. and how she moaned
end moaned through the long hours Of
darkness! Poor, motherless girl! she had
none to contide in-none to advise her
how to at!
Corona rose as usual, and dressed herself
with more than her ordinory care. She
was deadly pale. but she looked mono the
less beautiful Tor that. She took me up,
with a suffocating sigh, and attached me
to her girdle; then she passed through an
aEte-chambcr, and reacled her pretty sit
held her.
AT twelve o'clock, Paul Fayargc, ur-
ona. She received him coldly, without
even a touch OF his hand.
Corona, heSaid, noticing her disdainiul
looks, am come hilher thus early to apolo-
izc for anyseeming inattention towards you
last night. l suffered you to go home
alone"
"Oh, monsieur, there is no need of any
apology tor that: cached home in per
feet safety, as you perceive, although
wholly unattended"
Corona" lie exclaimed, astonished at
her chilly speech.
"Mon>icur!"
What is the meaning of this strange
CHANGE he asked.
at means tina Corona dc Marncy has
ceased to love Paul Favarge! That is all.
mon>ieur!' she answered, i'll q naughty
tone.
The actors color vanished from his face.
and his bra II grew suddenly giddy. lie
had almost forgotten his late scene With
Nademoiselle l.adre,. and had come to
Corona. little dreaming OF the freezing re-
ception that awaited him.
The actress was trembling all over, but
her face was Us calm as ever. She could
control her features, but not the pulses Of
her heart. Corona was standing, her hand
resting on a marble pedestal; Paul was also
standing. quite at a loss what to do.
Presently; a servant ]annonneed the
ing with triumph, stepped forward, and
turned round to her old lover, and stitily
inclininS her head, babe him q cold good
morning.
Amazed and mortified beyond descrip-
ton. Paul Favarge made his bow, and in
Stantly Withdrew. wholly unable to COM
prehend the alteration in Corona's man
ncrs, or the meaning ot ;le words she had
just uttered to him.
lie thought and thought, yet still he
could assign no cause whatever for her
strange and unlookel'or behavior.
The Count de Brandenburg found the
I quite disposed TO listen to his suit, and his
delight therat knew nc bounds.
He was distractedly in love with her, and
was ready to lay his fortune and his titles
ut her ieet.
And so he told her over and over again.
urging her to fix the day when he could
call her his; and. before he had pleaded to
her quite an hour. Corona had consented
to become the COUNTESS de Brandenburg.
fc I her shiver "a she promised TO be-
come his wite-his loveless wife-his wife
until death. But. at this moment, her
smarting sorely. She wa- ready to make
any sacritice-readv to sacrifice the entire
happiness Of her future life; nay, her very
life itself.
The Count had quilted her. and she was
left alone With her thoughts. with her new.
ly-born misery. Scarcely rad her noble
sutton departed, when Monsieur Favarge
again appeared.
Corona started up az he entered the apart
ment, fully prepared to treat hin as before
and to dismiss him at once from her pres
ence.
He dar'ed forward impulsivrly With thu
intention Of takinr Ter hand; brt sh'
proudly dr-w her=e.f NJ 70 her IA ! height
and r~cpuisei him with a dark rovE.
What docs Monsieur Favarse require o
me-" she inquired, looking at him calini.
and naughty.
30 ora. IL exclaimed, gain: into he
eye; 'sha. dn . j, All mean?'
sit drvn. Monsieur FaYargs. and vii
tell y"u VIA: all mean., lie ait~ere'
with Tie saime apparent cotnpoAurs a: pe
fore.
He dropped into a chair; and she s.ll
standing. went on.
ut meals. Monsieur Favarge. that We a,
henceiorti to be ranger 10 one another.
she said slowly a:.d distinctly.
"COrona.'
clear me ont. then speak if 20
Will" proceeded she, Lau-htily. -
am not a worm. to be trodden Oh an
! crushed by your or any other foot.
she added, between her closed teeth. :
have been %wronged, and have avenged tla
wrong!"
81 do not understand you. Corona !.
returned. ''Ifl have offended you l nav
done so unwillingly, / assure you! Villa
is my oticnse?"
She laughed bitterly.
again l ask, what is my ofcnse?"
81 lave changed my mlnd!' size answer
ed, abruptly. u will condcsccnd to tel
you no more. Monsieur Favarge!' she cor
iinued. her whole frame ouivering as sh
spoke. II will leave your guilty conscienc
to inform you why Corona de Marney d.
clines the Iur:her honor of receiving 20
under her roof"
~.Speak-speak, FOR heavens sake."h
! cried, excitcdly starting to his feet. "Lt
me know Of what stand accused, in orde
that may lie able to defend myself"
She looked at him contemptliously. an
silently rang the bell. Her jealousy an
pride had apparently ,9uenchea all n :,
sceneshe had lately witnessed between hin
and Mademoise!le I.adre, and her spir
rose in rebellion against the insult he ha
. put upon herseli a. his own afiianced bird,
/; Paul was standing mite and motionle:
t when q servant appeared, i'll answer to III
r bell.
r "show Monsieur Favarge OUT ST
4 said, addressing the lac4lcy. Goo
& morning. she aided, turning to her o
y tonished visitor.
# md before Paul could find breath to r
o ply. Corona had flung open a side doc
e; and was gone.
% Nothing now was left him but TO folio