New-York tribune., 1896-11-22
"PERCHANCE TO DREAM?>
THE STRANGE EXPERIENCE OF AN
AMERICAN WOMAN IN PARIS.

AMERICAN WOMAN IN PARIS.
The Mrs Noel whom her acquaintance ikea OF
dislil,ed according to their inclination, was
handsome and wealthy widow. endowed with
nurse literally omen to most demands and mani
festing the fervent interest for many supJects
that characterizcs our fin de steele The MIS-.
Noel who occasionally confronted her own soul
was deep and narrow nature. influenced by TWO
ip,nessoned affections and as Indifferent 10
outside summarizes as TO shadows that pass
ono of these affections was devoted to the mem
orv Of her husband the other was living love
for her only daughter.
Concerning this beloved child. the mothers
heart a,hcd fcrebodingly while she drove through
the avenues Of the Champs Elysees IN her neat
brougham. or toilcd through various apartments
Of that fashionable quarter. accompanied by her
maid and a house agent. Distracted by an
anxiety with which house hunting perpleXities
had nothing to ID she broke down when. having
admired certain picturesque rooms. she was tod
that the accommodations for the suite were
three starways higher.
"Go Roslne" she said to her maid, as she sank
into an easy chair. you surely know better thah
7 what We require. I shall rest here until you
return"
Madame does not fear to remain alone?
"Why should l fear?' Mrs Noel demanded
YEARLY I'VE have so consciantlously Inspected
every corner and cupboard that even a ghost
could not have escaped notice. II you are
nervous. however. you may lock the outer door
Rosnc murmureG an acquiosccnt. AS madame
ploases." the agent uttered voluble assurance"
of secure solitude. and they departed
Mrs Noel leaned back in her chair and shut
her eyes.
She had often warned herself that anxious days
would begin when Laura grew old enough TO be-
come Interested In lovers. hut she had not anici-
pateI that those days would dawn thus swiftly
Laura was only seventeen 4 child In spirit
though vlslbly nearing the lovely verge of
womanhood Mrs Noel had left her for n holiday
visit at the home OF a school friend In Scotland
while she made an annual cure at Hombure
Now. six weeks later. Laura's letters were filled
with one mans name. and her hostess wrote that
"A Russian. Count Rufski. possessing a European
reputation for fascination. pursuing Laura
with such devotion a. she believed no girl could
resist
That woman should marry among her coun-
trymen was law of life evolved by Mrs. Noel
from her own brcf happy marriage. That
Laura's husband should be OF her mothers
choosing Mrs. Noel discovered suddenly to be
this laws inseparahle codicil Ye, Laura had
manifested a cheerfully rcsolute Will since ever
she was Did enough to feel preference. What
n her will had already decided for this stranger
a Russian. whose European reputation for
fascination" could not have been acquired with
In any number II years approximately near to
those OF this child Of seventeen?
Mrs Noel opened her eyes with a pang so
keen that she thrust 1t aside. Laura would re-
turn tn her tomorrow. Surely no intruding In
nucnce had thus swiftly eclipscd her own. She
would not consider such disaster She would
consider instead the home thcy meant to make
for some years in Parls-here perhaps. This
apartment seemed lkcly 10 suit them. she told
herself. while her eyes wandered restlessy
around the salon. which the agent had brill
iantly illuminated whch he had shut out the
chill autumn twilight.
Immediately opposite her chair n wide door
way hung with satin portieres framed small
or yet more charming room. whose delicate
blue tints suggested n dainty background for
the object Of Mrs. Noel's anxieties.
Just the cosey little den my darling will
fancy" --
Her thoughts broke Oft as sharply as though
| they had been interrupted words.
! Before the chimney which faced the arch
| way stood a low couch. heapod with many satin
pillows 4 moment since ii had seemed the
| very nest for Laura-Now?
Was she dazed or dreaming? Whose slender
| whltc-cad figure lay among those pillows ?
| Whose fair head half turned away toward the
! chimney? Not Laura's. thank Cod Color
and outline like. but the pretty creature
vino so mystoriousy appeared there not
| Laura nor vision of Laura.
| Whoever she was. how did she get there un-
observed? An that neither curiosity
nor terror possesSd Mrs. Noel as she con-
fronted the picture before her. Whence had it
| come? Why did she behold II?