The Portland daily press., 1898-11-12
Chapter XVI.

up to Cimiez togo ther to pay a call upon
a Partisan family named Bertholet, who
LIVED in one of the ilne white HOUSES high
M on the Boulevard de Cimiez, and who
had recently accepted the Princes hospi.
tality.
AS they turned from the dusty Boule-
ward Carabacel and commenced the long
ascent where the tree-iined road runs
straight up to th = yIarinR white facade OF
the Excelsior Regina Hotel, Zertho ex.
pressed fear that she would be fatigued
ere they reached their destination, and
urged her to take a cab.
"l'm not at all tired, she assured MIN,
nevertheless halting second. flushed ana
warm, to regain breath. 1.-The day is SO
beautiful that walk will 40 me no END
of good. :,
and call on these people, but l suppose 1
must be polite to them. They are worth
knowing. bertholet is, hear, d Well
known banker In Paris. -,
Lame smiled. The patronising air with
which her companion spoks OF Lis newly
found friends always amused ner u
ssBesides - he added, I'VE must now
make the best of the time We have IN
Moe. We leave tomorrow or the Gay
AFTER
$50 sudden?" she exclaimed, surprised.
ssI thought we should remain for another
fortnight or three weeks. The weather
is so delightful" :,
II have arranged it with the t'aptain. !"
he said briefly. "Do you regret leav1ngf"
How can I regretY" she asked. glanc-
ing at him aud raising her brows slight
ly. "How can / regret when the pmce,
so fair in itself, is TO me so hateful? NO,
I'm glad for several reasons that we are
leaving
She recolIected at that moment what
George had told her. Marietta Lepage
was near them. She remem bered. too,
the fierce expression of hatred in that. pair
of angry eyes shining through the mask
Yes" hs said at length, 'one can
have too much OF good thing, anu
sometimes it is even possible TO have too
much of the Riviera. l have the satisfac-
ton at least of having succeeded In o.
tanning a footing In society" And ne
laughed as he added: "A year ago was
a down-at heel adventurer, almost TOO
shabby TO obtain admittance at Monte
Carlo. while today I'm welcomed every
where, even among the most exclusive
set. And why? Merely because nave
money and impudence
Eyes" i.iane admitted, with a toucn
of sorrow. This Is indeed curious
world. There is good deal of truth III
the saving that a man is too often judged
land q oman by her Dress" he added
quickly. 'sMhen you are Princess
d'Auzac you will find that other women
will GRO sd around you and pet you, and
declare you are the most beautiful girl
of 10. year-as of course. you are-all
because you have wealth and title.
lsey ike TO spea to their friends OF my
e. lend the Princess So-and-So-
You are very complimentary" she
answered coldly. 81 have no desire to
excite either the admiration or envy oi
Their women"
s.secause you have never yet fully real
lied bow beau iful you are, he answered
sOh. yes, have. Every woman know
Iht * .ct worth of her good looks.
$50 ne oSer-esaimate them. no doubt,
s.ii vita a laugh. 'But you have
always und er estimated yours II the
CspI in had chosen he could nave already
ma ried you to dozen different men,
ali wealthy and distinguished. =
dear old aad loved me too well tn sac
ridce my happiness for money, she Said,
climbing slowly the steep bill.
Yet you declare that you are doing so
by marrying Iae," he observed, his eyes
fxeu upon the ground.
s'l am only marry ing you because you
compel me-" she answered huskily. You
know that"
"Nhy do you hate me?n he cried, dis
mayed. 81 have surely done my best to
render your life here happy? In the past
I admired your grace and your beauty,
but because of my poverty dared not
ask the Captain for you. Now that |
have the means to give you the luxury
which q woman like yourself must need,
you spurn my love, and--p
your love I" she cried, with gesture
of disgust. her eyes flashing angriiy.
do not speak to me of love. You may
tell other women that you love them, Lut
do not lie to me.
1T is no lis," he answered. She had
never spoken SO frankly before, and her
manner showed fierce determination
which surprised him.
ca You have manner SO plausible that
you can utter falsehoods so that they APP
pear as gospel TRUTH" she said. Re-
member. however, that you and my father
years ago l thoroughly gagged your
character and found it exactly as super
fcial and unprincipled as it is now.''
s'Ihe past is forgotten" he snapped.
sit is useless to throw into my face facts
and prejudices which am striving to live
down"
ssNo," she cried. ssThe past is lot for
gotten, otherwise you would not compel
me TO become your wife. How can you
say that the past is buried when at this
moment you hold me beneath your bate
fol thrRll msrely because my face and my
desire that / should become your wife?"
'shith you at my side | shall, l trust.
lead better life, y he said, Gained by her
rebuff.
"It is useless to can't in that manner, -
she exclaimed, turning upon him dercely.
sin you. the man l havealways mistrust-
ed as Knavish and unscrupulous, l can
never plsce confidence The me n,
shabby tricks you have served men who
have been your friends are in themselves
sufficient proof of your utter lack of good
will, isfd show ms that you are dead to
all honor. Without confluence there can
be no love. -
81 have promised before heaven to make
you happy" he answered.
'sAh, no. she said, in choking voice
of bitter re roach. 'Speak not of holy
things, you, whose heart is so black. If
you would make your peace with God
give me back my liberty, my life, before
IL is too late
Har face was pale, her lips were dry
aad she painted as she spoke
But they mad Rainea the gate of the
villa 0hsre they were to call, and pushing
it pen be held II back with low bow
for er to ptss. her grey eyes, so full OF
gle ard Despair, met his for an instant,