Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-12-29
Christian
A Thrilling Romance OF
land and Sea.
BY ARRAH LEIGH.
CHAPTER XIX.
HER FIRST INSULT.

HER FIRST INSULT.
I will express my opinion about it,"
said Madam Byrne, as she rose with
energy from . lengthy converse with her
self.
1t was easy to see the good lady was
out OF humor with somebody, and she
CHILLED out to the groom, who was walk
ing over the lawn, in o sharp voice:
Bring the phaeton to the door in fif-
teen minutes!"
"One would thought I'd been doin'
OF somethin' for to make her mad, she
yells SO, muttered the boy, moving off.
He was very caret ul not to be q moment
behind time with the carriage, but
Punctual as he was, Madam Byrne met
him at the door as he drove up.
Take the road leading to the Astange
mansion" she commanded, when she had
seated herself in the vehicle.
The boy gave her sly glance, and
wondered what had happened to cause
her lips to set together so sternly.
Somebody is going to catch it," lie
thought, and he was not wrong.
Madam Byrne's face grew harsher az
she alighted at the Astange mansion and
saw fair girl sitting in wicker chair on
the veranda, and her eyes became stony as
she saw the 1.-THE figure rise at her ap-
proach, and bow before her.
She did not return the polite nod, but
glanced at the lady as one might an OBJ
noxious dog in his path.
Go" she said, haughtily, "and tell
Miss Olga Mrs. Byrne wishes to see her
painful flush stole into the sweet face
before her.
There was a stern effort made to repress
the tears that sprang up in the large blue
eyes, bnt the thin lips quivered.
will you not sit down, madam"
asked the gentle little voice, as Chris mo-
toned to a chair.
Madams lips curled contemptuously.
There was no sign of softening emotion
in her countenance, though she saw the
girls nervous hands had clasped each
9th r.
when I am ready" she answered,
rudely; and again a shiver ran over Chris.
Her eyes were full of tears when she
met Olga in the upper hall a moment
later, and gave her the old lady's message
Olga saw them, and wondered.
What did she say to you to hurt your"
she inquired.
Chris bowed her head.
She was the weaker nature; that would
cling to another for support.
Olga stood up brave and Independent
alone; Chris was like a vine, beaten down
lifeless by the wind of adversely. Olga
was more as a straight young lily that
storm might break, but would never
bend.
Chris replied:
"She seemed to take me for servant,
and when asked her to sit down she
said she would when she was ready"
Olga's brows knit in heavy frown.
She did it to insult you," she declared;
l. 1@r, old Hal <L H.
wanted to make you uncomfo rtable."
But why?" asked Chris; II have never
harmed her."
Olga looked at her, pityingly.
MY dear" she murmured, do you not
know that the mere fact that you are a
woman is enough to cause other women
to despise you? You, must not expect
but treachery, faithlessness and unklnd-
ness from woman, Chris. The slight
belief once had in them is gone forever
Any one would render you miserable if
she had the power. Do not give it to her. !"
Without giving Chris chance to an
swer, phe went down stairs, out on the
veranda where Mrs. Byrne was standing
Both ladies bowed.
There was a short pause.
Mrs. Byrne watched Olga, and some
thing in the girls white, proud face, in
her hard, brown eyes, warned her to be-
ware how she commenced the conversation.
The girl glanced out over the lawn.
It was matter of Indifference to her
whether Madam Byrne liked her or not.
She would let her take the trouble to be-
gin the interview:
Madam was an abrupt person, and a
person of few words, SO she said, quite
suddenly:
Il hear, Olga, you have young girl
staying with you; one who was once an
actress"
my cousin" put in Olga, her lips
straight and hard.
Cousin or anything, You have no right
to jeopardize your reputation by bringing
her here Do you mean to suppose that
you are SO far above reproach, you can
associate with such a woman, and not be
scandalized? Do you suppose people
will receive that creature in their houses,
or You either, if you allow her to stay
hore?"
1T is immaterial to me whether they
do or not" replied Olga, her face grow
ing white, and her eyes large. while hel
aunyay hair seemed to brighten in the