The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-22

picture, that they had almost covered 10
from view, but that the eyes of Angelice
were still visible, and that Demcter Nv
would not leave the chamber until they,
too, were concealed by the fllmy meshes.
Others said he was making experiments in
chemistry and trying the effect of certain
poisons upon dogs and cats A third par
ty said he had become "A vegetarian and
passed his life in weighing up the precise
amount Of food which hn considered neces-
sary for his next meal. But they were all
wrong, and at length their statements
we're confuted by letter which arrived
from Dcmetcr ~, addressed to his father.
IL should be mentioned by tho way,
that the beautiful Angelica had indeed
died within the twelvemonth. On the oc-
casion of a ball Demeter III was so drunk
that he pointed gun at his wife because
she was chatting too merrily with good
looking young officer. She thereupon fed
from the ballroom in terror, rushed out
into the cold night air in her muslin dress
and satin slippers, took chill and shortly
died therefrom. But she had attained her
ambition, and If she had married the
younger Demcter she might perhaps still
have been alive. AS Mrs. Demctcr Nv she
would not have been lying in such a beau
tiful velvet covered and gildcd coffin nor
have been drawn TO her vault by five such
beautiful Arab stccds.
From the younger Dcmctcrs letter to
his father IL appeared that he had been so
far successful in forgetting Angelica that
he was about 90 marry another girl.
Years had already passed. The elder
Dcmcter was SO years old, while his son
was still only 80. Thus the latter was
now in "a position To write to his father In
these terms:
MY DEAR FArHER-I again intend 10 marry,
and have discovered the most beautiful girl
imaginable for my wife. want you TO be pres
ent nt the ceremony. This time am not afraid
that you will carry off my bride, for ten years
have elapsed, and you have now lost your
power of fascination. Ten years ago was n
mere child and you We're man. Today I
am man and you Ere getting well on into
childhood. Besides, my hancee loves me with
profound devotion. Therefore IL you wish n q
happiness come at once TO my approaching
wedding. DEMETER.
These words in1amed Demeter III. His
pride was wounded. A wicked desire took
possession of him.
"What sort of girl Is this your master
intends TO marry" he inquired of the
valet who had brought the letter
" A most lovely creature, sir, was the
reply.
'Ts she youngs'
"Still almost a child"
"Do they love each other?"
"Like pair of doves. "
"Well, go back and tell my son that
shall be present at his wedding"
Demetcr III lost not n moment, but
Travelled posthaste. Reaching Lemberg,
he there happened to meet his son 5 coach
man.
what arc you doing here, DimitruYn
he inquired.
The serslnt stammered and showed that
he would like To lie, but handful of gold,
promptly administered, induced him TO
tell the truth. He said that his master
got quite alarmed on hearing that the ia
ther did not mind taking the trouble of
journeying 10 Podolia, and he had there
fore arranged that tho wedding should
take place two days earlier, sending his
coachman 70 l4cmbery TO buy certain Hun
garian commodities for the marriage feast.
Dcmctcr III leapcd upon swift horse,
for his carriage was not quick enough, and
gallopcd furiously toward Podola. Two
horses fell beneath him, and he arrived at
the church just as the marriage was about
To be solcmnizcd He dismountod, and
the ceremony was interrupted in order
that father and son might greet each 9TH
or, while the bride remained near the
altar. She was covered with thick veil
which completely hid her features. Dcme-
ter IL looked with proud contempt upon
his son, whose face was sunk with lin
gcring ailmcnt and from whose color It
could be seen how many months he had
TO live, whcr,ds he, the father, was still
vigorous and robust. Domctcr ~ throw
an iInploring Glance at his ratcrnal rcla-
tive, who sim! Is received it with smile
and then walled up 20 the waiting bride
and Whispered in her car:
Beautiful No",an, am Dcnctor Mar
koff III. while that man Is IVY son. His
hands trcmblc, nliEc are steady; his arc
empty, minc arc full OF gold. Compare us
together and choose which you will prefer
TO lead you 80 the altar.
Didorl-such was tho laly'S name
made her decision with very littlo heslta-
ton and 1; was the tattcr whom she al
lowed 20 take her to the altar and make
her bis wife. She sworc TO him eternal
devotion. DcNctcr III was radiant with
victory and Glanced round the church 10
sec what had become Of lis son. The la5-
ter WIS std.N.lug with his back against a
pillar, Watching the ceremony from thence.
He was Eot weeping, as on former occa-
sion
AS the party was leaving the church he
Whispered in his fathers ears, Good luck
TO you, Dcnotcr IlIv
The elderly bridegroom took off the veil
from the face OF his bride. He bchold, not
thing of beauty, but an ugly, crooked
mouthcd, ono eyed horror--an object so
very ugly that you could not find another
like il ii yoU scarctcd all over the earth.
From this wife he could not escape so
easily as from the others He could nGt
drive her away from hi!n and sho refused
TO die lie lived with her till his own
death. She WINS not afraid of his anger,
FOR she could swear better than he II hc
drank, so did Didora; If he attempted 20
beat her, she gave him a worse thraahing
In return. Dcmotcr found IL necessary 90
shave or his beard; Otherwise Dilora was
fond OF pulling it ont Tor him. She Insist
cd on accompanying him whenever he vis-
tied his friends, and, being generally in
drink, she would quarrel with him in
their houses and expose him 20 the lccncst
ridicule. At length hc decided never TO