The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1894-01-20
WOMAN RGAINSY WOMAN
BY MRS. M. E. HOLMES.
CHAPTER NI.-Continued.

y y
Eyes, answered Alice, quietly.
"You are a paragon of perfection in
deed sneered the other woman as
she withdrew.
Alice gazed after her sadly. She
pitied Valerie now from her heart and
thought she knew what made her so
bitter.
The interview in the grounds had
shown Alice that Valerie had a trouble
that was indeed very heavy, especially
to nature so proud as hers.
She called Davis and put on her
habit. Ever since she could remem-
her Alice had ridden. the only differ
ence being that she had sat her steed
without saddle, and unencUmbered
by long skirt, and now she was
checked by society garments and ways.
She took her gauntlets and whip.
and gathering her habit in hama,
opened her door.
To her astOnishment, in the corridor
she came upon Count Jura walking
slowly up il.
He turned with an exclamation as he
perceived her, and Alice thought she
saw him put a paper hastily into his
pocket.
Il crave pardon, miladi: I mistake
my way. Is this not the corridor to
the guests wing"
No, you are quite wrong: this leads
only TO my apartments"
Alice spoke cOldly: indeed, she felt
annoyed
II am indeed distressed. countess. .
he observed, comt"ously, but | Will
take lily departure at once"
He bowed again and turned towards
a door which led into another
chamber.
still you are wrong" said Alice,
smiling and pointing with her whip.
600 straight along. ana you will reach
the big staircase. then you will soon
find your way. The door leads to the
empty part of the Castle the treas
ure-roOms, "a the servants call them.
Yes, now you are right"
"Au revOir. miladi.'
Count Jura strobe down the corridor
Treasure rooms" lie repeated to
himself. Paul was right, and yet
among all the treasure Of the castle
she is to me the rarcst."
Alice made her way slowly down the
staircase to the central-hall. She felt
excited and almost happy. She always
had that strange llutter at her heart
when near her husband.
Valerie, looking like a goddess in
her perfectlv-Cut habit. was standing
in the doorway. beyond which the
horses We're waiting. \ mans form
was beside her, and Alice noticed wit
a cold sickenIng sensation how low he
was whispering and how eager was his
look. She came slowly up to them.
and caught a few words:
"Whcn think of it, Valerie, am
1.lI To L !, u 1T ll-t
My life is a misery to me tied a. am
to "a
Valerie heard AIice's footsteps and
she drew her hand away from his.
1T is getting late. we had better
start" she said quietly, giving him d
look full of sympathy. and glancing an
other of triumph at Alice as she hur-
riedly went down the steps.
Lord Radine now joined them.
May | put you up, CountcsS?' he
asked, eagerly.
He was young man, ana Alice's
fair lOvelines1 had won his warmeet adj
miratiOn.
IF You please, she answered slowly.
She was still hearing her husband S
voice paseion-ladcn, breat hing his
love and misery into Valerie ear.
The Earl assisted Valerie to mount,
and then the four rode slowly away.
we don't want any grooms Roy,
said Valerie, authoritatiyely.
SO the Earl waved his attendants
back
Lord Radinc glanced every now and
then at his companions face.
WHO was it said Darrell had mar
ried farm-girl:" he unused. What Il
cruel scandal This woman is peer
less, Countess. " he said aloud. are
YOU in any way connected with the Ar
holds You know who mean: they are
a very old family the head is always
called the Master of Arnold"
Alice had blushcd, but now She was
pale
II have no aristO2ratic connections,
Lord Radine,' She answered quietly:
Il am only farmers niece
But You have their face. The Ar
nolds are q strangely lovely family
forgive me for paying you 50 gauchc
a compliment: but You are faircr than
was the Lady Enid Arnold, whose por.
trait hangs in my mothers room, and
who died years ago, and she was sup
posed to have been the greatest beauty
of her time"
Il have no family, repeated Alice.
Il was only farm girl. You will have
heard how | came to to marry the
Earl; before then | was neglected. i'll
used, and miserahlc | even taught
myself at least, the village school
master helped me for some time, but
he died two years ago. and then | had
no one TO assist me.
II do not care what You were. " cried
Lord Radinc, fcrvently, reaching for
her small hand and carrying it 10 his
lips: but TO me You are the embOdi-
ment OF everything that is perfection. =
Valerie turned at this instant. and
the earl looking back, also saw the
young mans act Of courtesy and adj
miratiOn.
My Lady Alice progresses, re
marked Valerie, with a sneer "Roy.
you must look after your wife"
Lord Darrell did not answer; he nm
consciously frightened his hold on hi.
rcins. and his hrows met in a frown.
Something in the sight he had lust
seen veXed him strangely. and for the
first time since his return he bcheId
Alice beauty in all its power.
Valerie saw the frown and her heart
leaped.
He Is angry with her, =" she said to
She checked her horse and the Earl
did 50 also.
What IS it," asked Lord Badfne,
quickly,
Il forget the exact path, " said Va
lerle. and Roy knows absolutely moth
inc about il.
Il viii 20 and inquire. said the Earl,
hurriedly.
No, Darrell; let me and Lord RAJ
dine rode RAPIDLY down the path To thu.