The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-08-25
A FEMININE IMPULSE.

a L EMlNlNE lMPl LSE.
The small number of people aware
of the existence of Miss Dorothy Max
well were divided into two sections
There wero those who considered her
life most enviahle; there were others
who deemed it highly reprehensiblo.
But ns Dorothy herself was ignorant
nike of envy or condemnation she con.
tinued to live i'll tho charming and ad-
mirably appointed Georgian house in
kensingten, and In pleasant environ
ment created by lavish but Intelligent
expenditure on the part of the Marquis
of Bewdavon. For somo years she had
been mistress of Bolper Lodge, yet her
lifo was extremely dull Lord Bew-
davon was busy man both socially and
politically. and close friend of his
father, the aged Duke of Strathwuyte-
II circumstance SO singular that 1t was
constant source of comment among
his contemporaries. Consequently, mt
first he was frequently away from Lon
don for weeks together. either filling
political or social engagements, or stay
Ing with his father, who never left the
country, and rs Dorothy had no friends
and no companions save tho faded
widow of n military officer whom Bow
dayon had engaged as her ohaporon to
accompany her to tho play when he
was otherwise engaged, tho comfort and
pleasure of her life wero married hy its
loneliness
Dorothy had an overwhelming 10.
spoct for Lord Bewduvon but she did
not love him, and this in the earlier
days of her conquest had given her sin
II blackor tingo i'll her own eyes. A ma
tive cloverness, added to acute feminine
perception. had shown her that Bow
davon had mono of tho characteristics of
tho average man who enters lightly
upon irregular unions. Morally, per
haps, he was neither better nor worse;
mentally he WAS inoomparably superior.
More beauty and platitudes woaricd
him, and WHEN Dorothy discovered the
gulf that lay between their intolligoncos
sho set herself diligently to bridge it
over Bewdayon' devotion to politics
III devotion he had inherited from
long line of anCcstors-gavo Dorothy
her opportunity, aud during his many
absences string of masters occupied
her days, hard study her solitary even
ings Ono day, by tho morcst chance.
Bowdnvon stumbled upon n pilo of
books dealing with abstruse questions.
with history, philosophy and political
economy, their margins covered with
notes III Dorothy y neat handwriting
handwriting that bore evidence of the
olass from which she had sprung
"IIow this woman loves mol" he said
to himself, his eyes growing dim nv he
turned over volume after volume. At
that moment Dorothy entered the ROOM
and, seeing tho books strewed around
him, hesitated II have never pene-
trated into your sanctum before. he
said, pointing to the many evidences of
her plodding. II sincerely wish | had.
Have you been wading through all
these books to please mop
Dorothy faltered His immediate con
olusion that she Ind been educating
herself for his sole benefit filled her
with II Vague irritation
Il wished to understand you bet
ter, " she stammored.
you have succeeded In making mo
understand you" he answered kissing
her roverently.
From that day they inscnsibly drift
cd into IA close friendship. and often as
Dorothy sat by Bewdavon, steadily
helping him with his many researches,
and filled with admiration for his
marvellous sympathy and broad outlook
upon life. she would cry bitterly to her
self why cannot / love this man2
Why cannot | loyo him2" And so tho
days passed. tho woman endeavoring 10
stifo the impulses Of her heart by go
we're study. tho man glorying in her
beauty and her intelligence until the
Duke of Strathwayte fell dangerously
i'll.
"This illness may last for months,
said Bewdavon, as he was leaving
Belper Lodge, land cannot DO away
from him. Go abroad, Dorothy, with
Mrs. Vane "
'IIow could | help you them" she
asked, terror of strange places and
peoples suddenly taking possession of
her. There IL much can do for you
If stay here.
But IL will do you good. You need
"a change, " he protested.
1--WE will compromises, she said,
smiling. II will go to Brighton
"And be thoroughly idle, " no con
cludod, patting her cheek lyon have
been working too hard.
AT tho end of fortnight Dorothy re
turned, hurrying the meek Mrs. Vano
protcstingly from tho delights Of the
hotel, the victim Of "A restlessness that
left her no peace. Soon after her return
to Bclper Lodge she was one afternoon
idly scanning tho pages of magazine,
when her eye foil upon an illustration
Of tho interior Of II large draper's shop.
She rose abruptly, filed with "A sudden
desire for her old lifo--to smell tho
aerial scent Of new calico, to SEQ the
long line Of flarinR lights over each
counter, to hear the ripping of cloth,
| the conversation Of tho tired shopRirls,
Memories Of her girlhood surged through
her brain as She leaned against the
maniclpiece, and an incurablo longing
| 10 see the great drapcry establishment
| where sho had worked took possession
Of her, She picked up tho magazine
and then, with a mr filed cry, threw ii
down and ran to her bedroom. The
tea gown of diaphanous lace and silk
was torn Off, and fow moments latei
Dorothy slipped out of tho house, sad
colored cloak and thick veil shroud-
ing her figure and face. Hailing han
som. che was passing through tho gilt
ter Of Piccadilly on her way to the Tot