The Washington times., 1894-10-07
BENEDICT.

1t was ripe autumn in Rhenish village.
The sun, slowly sinking into its bed, tin2ed
all nature with the radiance OF its departing
glory. Mountains of irregular height,
capped by forests of trees. stood out in bold
relief against the red-dyed sky, and numbers
OF small graystone winners cottages nestled
amid the luxuriant foliage on the slopes of
the hills. Beneath all was the Rhine. sweep
ing silently through the valley below till,
falling over cluster of rocks, It was trans
formed into cataract. the roar OF whose
waters broke in upon the stiffness of even
tide and mingled with the lowing OF the
various herds being driven back to their
farms.
Against the doorway Of one OF the small
cottages leaned a woman shading her eyes
from the radiant atterglOw with small, ele-
gantly shaped hand woman wh Jse youth
was already past, but whose delicate, refined
features still retained the charm OF earier
years. She was eingularly attractive. Masses
OF dead gold hair covered her shapely head.
Her eyes were large and dusky brown and
she looked from beneath their dark fringes
with SLOW, languid gaze. A soft silk OF
somber hue enveioped her iissom figure and
trailed on the grass at her feet. Among the
winners she was known as La Belle An
glaise, OF whose beauty and proud, cold
manner they stood somewhat in awe. She
had come among them at the commencement
OF the summer. and furnishing one of thelittle
cottages to suit her requirements. lived there
In comparative seclusiOn, with an old servant,
who accompanied her. She sighed half i'm
patiently, half sadly, as she sat down to rest
on the little carved seat IN the porch As she
did so the mournful notes OF a funeral hymn,
borne onward by the breeze, fell upon her ear
in fitful cadence
A group OF peasants, carrying in their
midst tiny coffin, covered with masses of
white flowers, was slowly approaching pre-
ceded by priest, accompanied by three
acolytes, who carried Il silver crUcifix, and as
they chanted swung a censer 10 and fro, leay-
ing delicate OdOr in the oppressive air.
Moved by some sudden caprice she gathered
her drapery into her hand and followed the
sad procession, winding along the road, till
through an avenue OF foliage on the summit
OF a hill the ruined chapel OF st. Rosalie
came in sight. Enroute they encountered
Jacques. the post-boy, and the lady fingered
till the lad having satisfied his religious scru-
pies by falling or his knees while tine process
sion passed, delivered TO her couple OF let
ters. The slow bell for the souls of the
departed had ceased ringing and the service
had DegGn when she reached the little grave
to the cas-. end OF the ruined chapel. and lift
ing the latch OF TIE crazy little gate, which
creaked rustily upon its hinges, found her
self in the chapel.
Near the door hung painting of the Holy
Mother. stained and disigured with damp
ana age. Some passing breeze mad carried
with it n few seeds from passion flower
which, falling between the broken stones
that paved the chapel had sprung up and
now outlined the rugged cross with its rich
purple blossoms. Part Of the chapel was IN
rooted, but reyerent piety kept the roof
over the crucifx and altar intact Seating
herself in one of the ancient pews and draw
ing a small silver dagger attached To her
chatelaine, she proceeded to open the letters.
Inside the first was Il small note, surmOunted
by a coronet and a purely conventional smile
parted her iips as she glanced at the writing.
Ii ran as follows:
CARLTON CLUB.
DEAR FRIESD-W Where have YOU hidden
yourself and why. Mayfair is lost in amaze
ment that the London season should find the
beautiful Mrs. 81. Croix absent. her enchanted
palace shut up. Have you gone in search Of
your ideaiy If the search fail, dare I hope?
Yours always, ''ALEC YAvAsoUR."
The other note was written on mauve
scented paper and was purely feminine
''STRAIF1GD PLACE, ".
DEAREST MAY: Really you are IA enigma.
Sir Alec VayasOur who is now in town,
haunts my house, and 1t requires ali my in
genuity to parry his inquiries regarding YOUR
retreat. hope you are happy there. He GER
taiI}y is not. Come back soon. Tor NY sym
pathy now Is all Tor him. You have beauty.
wealth, fame, and now q title lies at YOUR
feet Most incOmprehensitle OF women.
What more can your heart desire? I inclose