The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-20

residence in Europe for the restoration
of her health. She came here, and for
several months has lived in Frankfort.
where the best society struggles for her.
You can imagine that young and beau
,tiful woman entirely alone, whose hus-
band is invisible, does not remain unas-
sailed. Besides, there is the American
independence and confidence of manner
which is often mistaken for emancipa-
,tion, and by which man easily feels en-
couraged-in short, serious attention
has been paid TO her, and she has seemed
TO accept it. Then suddenly there came
n repulse and a rupture, which has al
ready resulted in injury to several some-
what delicately strung masculine
hearts. Moreover she is very uneven in
her manner. Often gay, even reckless,
deyising pranks like a spoiled boy, then
suddenly reserved, distant and stern.
True, she is always intellectual, so that
j know many a man who is uncomforta.
BILE in her society, to say nothing OF
women"
Frau Won Jagerfeld had spoken
eagerly in low tone, with frequent in
terruptions when courtesy compelled
her to listen TO the numerous toasts
which were chiefly proposed to her and
TO the master of the house. Mrs
Burgess could not long fail TO notice
that the two persons opposite were
talking about her, and she smilingly
shook her finger across the table at her
friend.
Poor woman" Inurmured Berg
mann, so bitter nn experience at the
threshold of life-But why does she
endure her fate? 1t is so easy TO be
set free in America"
81 don't know. Perhaps or account
of her children"
"Ah-she has children?"
1.-Two: and il is strange and touch
ing to see how she rcars them. Often
she treats them like dolls, and amnses
herself for hours by dressing and un-
dressing them, dragging them around
the room, and then suddenly dropping
them in some sofa corner head down
and feet up. Thes again, she talks
grayely and tenderly to the little crea-
lures, and tries to instill good prin-
ciples-it is too comical. BIZ she is n
delightful creature, oh, delightful
creature"
The banquet was over, honor was
done To the last toas. from brimming
champagne glasses, and the guests
went to the drawing-room. Several
minutes elapsed before the gentlemen
had escorted the ladies TO their chairs,
and the arrangement appointed accord
ing TO rank and precedence, which he'd
governed the seats assigned Mt the
table, had yielded TO free gathering in
groups. Mrs. EA.gess had dismissed
her lieutenant with = somewhat curt
bow, and took her place before beauti-
full little Menzel, which she examined
long time. Frau Won Jagerfeld and
Bergman released themselves almost
Mt the same moment, the former from
her old general, the latter from his
bankers wife, and again found them
selves side by side.
'Do you want me to introduce you to
Ada?" she asked, quickly.
He bowed silently, and offered his
arm. On reaching Ada, she lightly
touched her on the shoulder, white as
mother-of-pcarl, with her fan, and
when the lady, somewhat surprised,
turned, Frau Won Jagerfeld smiling
pleasantly, said: "My dear child, let
me present to you our best friend, DIR.
Dergmann. / must devote myself 10
the rest OF my guests, and, unfortunate
ly, have not time to tell you all the
good think of him. But you will dis
cover all that is necessary for your
self. You know, my dear, that you
nre the two most interesting people
here. 1t is fitting for you 10 be to-
gether." With these words she rustled
away to address a few kindly words
TO the architect of the castle who was
surrounded by numerous group.
Bergman stood before Mrs. Bur-
CESS, gazing at her gravely and in
tently. The more at ease Of the two,
she sat down on sofa, and with n ges-
ture of the hand, invited him to take
the armchair in front of it.
Frau Won .Jagcrfeld has talked of
you great deal, and very cnthusias-
tically," she said, in 4 musical, some
what deep, resonant voice, which
thrilled his every nerve like the sound
Of bells, and as he bowed, she added,
smiling mischievously: "And of me ia
you; watched you at the table"
YES" he answered. land .nthusias-
tically, also"
'She is kind friend, know" A
brief pause followed, which she abrupt
ly interrupted. "You are n physician.