Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-10-25
BENEDICT.

IL was Ilp0 duGuLuu III Uuoulsu
village. The sun, slowly sinking into
its bed, tinged all nature with the
radiance of its departing glory. Noun
tains of irregular height. capped by
forests of trees, stood out in bold re-
lief against the red dyed sky, and
numbers of small graystone winners
cottages nestled amid the luxuriant
foliage on the slopes of the hills. Be-
meath all was the Rhine, sweeping
silently through the valley below till,
falling over cluster of rocks, it was
transformed into cataract, the roar
of whose waters broke in upon the
stiffness of eventide and mingled with
the lowing of the various herds being
driven back to their farms.
Against the doorway of one of tie
small cottages leaned a woman, shad-
ing her eyes from the radiant after.
glow with small, elegantly shaped
hand-a woman whose youth was al
ready past, but whose delicate, refined
features still retained the charm of
earlier years. She was singularly
attractive. Masses of dead gold hair
covered her shapely head. Her eyes
were large and dusky brown, and she
looked from beneath their dark fringe
with slow, languid gaze. A soft
silk of somber hue enveloped her
lissom figure and tralled on the grass
at her feet. Among the winners she
was known as "La Belle Anglaise,,
of whose beauty and proud, cold man
ner they stood somewhat in awe. She
had come among them at the com.
mencement of the summer, and furn.
ishing one of the little cottages to suit
her requirements lived there, in com
parative seclusiou, with an old servant
who accompanied her. She sighed,
half impatiently, half sadly, as she sat
down to rest on the little carved seat
in the porch. AS she did so the
mournful notes of funeral hymn,
borne onward by the breeze, fell upon
her ear in ftful cadence.
A group Of peasants, carrying in
their midst a tiny coffin, covered with
masses of white flowers, was slowly
approaching, preceded by a priest, &C.
companied by three acolytes, who
carried a silver crucifx, and as they
chanted swung censer to and fro,
leaving delicate odor IN the oppres-
sive air. Moved by some sudden cap
rice, she gathered her drapery into
her hand and followed the sad pro-
cession, winding along the road, till
through an avenue of foliage on the
summit of hill the ruined chapel of
St. Rosalie came in sight. En- route
they encountered Jacques, the post.
boy, and the lady fingered till the
lad, having satisfied his religsous
scruples by falling on his knees while
the procession passed, delivered to
her a couple of letters. The slow bell
for the souls of the departed had ceas-
ed ringing and the service had begun
when she reached the little grave.
Fearing to disturb the mourners, she
passed to the east end of the ruined
chapel, and lifting the latch of the
crazy little gate, which creaked rusti-
ly upon its hinges, found herself in
the chapel. Near the door hung a
painting of the Holy Mother, stained
and disfgured with damp and age.
Some passing breeze had carried with
it few seeds from passion flower,
which, falling between the broken
stones that paved the chapel, had
sprung up and now outlined the rug
ged cross with its rich purple blossoms
Part Of the chapel was unroofed, hu
,everent piety kept the roof over the
Acrucifix and altar intact. Seating her
self in one of the ancient pews and
drawing small silver dagger attach
ed to her chatelaine, she proceeded
to open the letter Inside the frs
was a small note, surmounted by 6
coronet, and purely conventional
smile parted her lips as she glanced
at the writing. 1t ran as follows:
"CARLToN CLUB.
"DEAR FR1FND-Where have you
hidden yourself and why? Myfair is
lost in amazement that the London
season should find the beautiful Mrs
st. Croix absent, her enchanted palace
shut up. Have you gone IN search Of
your ideal? If the search fail, dare ]
hope? Yours always,
"ALEo VAvAsoUR."
The other note was written on
mauve scented paper and was purely
feminine:
STRATFoRD PLACE, W.
"DEAREsT MAY-Really you are an
enigma. Sir Alec Vavasour, who is
now in town, haunts my house, and it
requires all my ingenuity to parry
his inquiries regarding your retreat
l hope you are happy there. He GER
tainly is not. Come back soon, fol-
my sympathy now is all for him. You
have beauty, wealth, fame, and now
a title lies at your feet. Most incom-
Iprehensible Of womenl What more
can your heart desire? l inclose 9
not under protest. Always, dearest
yours "HELENE."
| Mrs. St. Croix tore up the first note