Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-04-23

the Dflue, anu rev OmcerS, VINO nad
been comrades Of her fathers in past
years. The guests were distributed,
rather unequally, in two handsome
apartments, opening into each other
one called in the house the drawing
room, and the other the library. In the
drawing-room were assembled the no
tary, with the contract ready, the bride,
the young ladies, and the majority of
General Berthelin's friends. In the Ii
brary the remainder Of the military
guests were amusing themselves at a
billiard-table until the signing OF the
contract should take place; while Dan
Vile and his future father-in-law
walked up and down the room together;
the first listening absently, the last
talking with all his accustomed energy,
and with more than his accustomed al
lowance Of barrack-room explosives.
The general had taken 1t into his head
to explain some Of the clauses in the
marriage-contract to the bridegroom,
who, though far better acquainted with
their full scope and meaning than his
fatherin-law, was obliged to listen for
civility's sake. While the old soldier
was in the midst Of his long and con-
fused harangue, clock struck on the
library mantelpiece.
Two o'clock" exclaimed Danvll!e,
glad Of any pretext for interrupting the
talk about the contract. Two o'clock,
and my mother not here yet! What can
be delaying herr"
Nothing" cried the general. when
did you ever hear of a woman punctual
my lad? If We wait your mother-and
she's such a rabid aristocrat that she
would never forgive us for not waiting
we shant sign this contract yet this
half-houT. Never mind let's 20 on
with what we were talking about
Where the devil was when that cursed
clock struck and interrupted us? Now
then Black Eyes, what's the matter?"
This last question was addressed to
Mademoiselle Berthelin, who at that
moment hastily entered the library
from the drawing-room. She was a
tall and rather masculine looking girl,
with superb black eyes, dark hair grow
ing low on her forehead, and something
of her fathers decision and bluntness
in her manner of speaking.
"a stranger in the other room, papa,
who wants to see you. suppose the
servants showed him upstairs, thinking
he was one of the guests, Ought to
have had him shown down AGAIN."
"a nice question! How should I
know? Wait till I've seen him, miss,
and then I'll tell YOU" With these
words the general turned on his heel,
and went into the drawing-room.
His daughter wUuld have followed
him, but Danville caught her by the
hand.
Can you be hard-bearted enough 10
leave me hero alone?" he asked.
What is to become OF my bosom
friends in the next room. you selfish
man, If l stop with you?" retorted Mad
emoiselle, struggling to free herself.
Gail them in here" said Danyille
gaily making himself master of heI
other hand.
She laughed, and drew him away to.
wards the drawing-room.
Gomez she cried, and let all the
ladies see what tyrant I am going tC
marry. Come and show them what an
obstinate. unreasonable, wearlsome-'
Her voice suddenly failed her. she
shuddered and turned faint. Danyllle''
hand had in one instant grown cold as
death in hers; the momentary touch Of
his fingers, as she felt their grasI
loosen. struck some mysterious chill
through her from head to foot. ShC
glanced around at him affrightedly
and saw his eyes looking straight intC
the drawing-room. They were fxeC
In a strange, unwavering, awful stare
while fIom the rest Of hi
face all expression, all charac
ter, ali recognizable play anC
movement Of feature had utterly gone
It was a breathless, lifeless masks
white blank. With a cry Of terror, sh'
looked where he appeared to be looking
and could see nothing but the strange
standing in the middle Of the drawing