Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-09-10
THE MAGIC SKIN,
Continued.

L
tween her mansion and the Rue des
Cordiers, but the distance seemed
short in spite Of the cold. And | was
to lay siege to Fedoras heart in win
ter, and bitter winter, with only
thirty francs in my possession, and
such a distance as that lay between US!
ssOnce when she had promised to go
to the theater with me she took it sud
denly into her head to refuse to go out
and begged me to leave her alone. |
was in such despair over the perVerslty
which cost me days work, and If L
must confess it, my last shilling as
well, that | went alone where she was
to have been, desiring to see the play
she had wished to see. | had hardly
seated myself when an electric shock
went through me. A voice told me-:
She is herer | looked round and saw
the countess hidden in the shadow at
the back of her box in the first tier.
will you come home with me?" she
said, when the play was over.
When we reached her house we seat
ed ourselves by the hearth, and when
the servant had stirred the fire and
left us alone the countess turne to me
with an inexplicable expression and
spoke. Her manner was almost SOL
emn.
Since my return to France more
than one young man, tempted by my
money, has made proposals to me
which would have satisfied my pride
/ have come across men, too, whose at
tachment was so deep and sincere that
they might have married me even if
] used to be. Besides these, M de
Valentin, you must know that new
titles and newly acquired wealth have
been also offered to me. and that
have never received again any of those
who were so ill-advised as to mention
love to me. If my regard for you was
but slight | would not give you this
warning, which is dictated by friend
ship rather than by pride. A woman
lays herself open to a rebuff of some
kind if she imagines herself to be
loved and declines, before it is uttered,
70 listen to language which in it's ma
ture implies a compliment
She spoke with the cool self-posses-
ston Of some attorney or solicitor ex-
planning the nature of contract or
the conduct of lawsuit to client.
There was not the least sign of feeling
in the clear tones of her voice. Her
steady face and dignified bearing
seemed to me now full of diplomatic re-
serve and GOODNESS. She had planned
this scene, no doubt, and carefully cho-
sen her words beforehand. Oh, nv
friend, there are women who take
pleasure in piercing hearts and DELHI
erately plunge the dagger back again
into the wound; such women as these
cannot but be worshipped, for such
women love or would fain be loved.
Good-by, | said, proudly
Good-by, till tomorrow she an
sVered, with little friendly bow.
las | passed under the gateway of
the Institute a feyered thrill ran
through me. | remembered that | was
fasting, and that | had not a penny. To
complete the measure of my misfor-
tune, my hat was spoiled by the rain
How was ] to appear in the drawing
room of a woman of fashion with an
unpresentable hat? | had always
cursed the inane and stupid custom
that compels us to exhibit the lining
Of our hats and to keep them always in
our hands, but with anxious care
had so far kept mine in precarious
state of efficiency.
| thought l would go to Rastignac
on the morrow to confide Fedora's
strange resolution to him, and with
that slept.
All, ha" cried Rastignac, as he saw
me enter his lodging at 9 o'clock in
the morning. I know what brings you
here Fedora has dismissed you.
Yesterday evening" he rejoined.
luck ran against me, and that carried
off all my available cash. But for that
trivial mishap, I would gladly have
shared my purse with you
He dressed and had his tilbury
brought round. We went to the Cafe
de Paris like couple of millionaires.
Here's your man., as he beckoned
to this gentleman with a wonderful
cravat. who seemed to be looking for
table that suited his ideas
That rogue has been decorated for
bringing out books that he doesn't
understand a word Of Whispered Ras-
hgnac: he's chemist historian,
novelist and political writer; he has
gone halves, thirds or quarters in the
authorship of I don't know how many
plays and he is as ignorant as Dom
MigueTs mule.
This is NJ de Valentin. one of nv
friends, whom I must introduce to YOU
as one of our future literary ceIebri-
ties. He had formerly an aunt. mar
quise, much in favor once at court. and
for about two years he has been writ
ing Royalist history of the Revolu-
ton.
Then bending over this singular
man of business, he went on:
He is man of talent and a sim
pleton that will do your memoirs for
you in his aunts name, for a hundred
crowns a volume
It's bargain said the other, ad-
Justing his cravat Waiter. my oys-
ters.'
Yes, but you must give me twenty
five louis as commission. and you will
pay him in advance for each volume,