The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-25
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

In the cokners of his mouth as If the recol-
lection CT the past was painful
months went by" he continued IN
harsh voice, quite unlike the tone habit
ual to him. tShe knew that was poor,
vet against the wishes of her parents,
purse proud country people, she had an
nouuced her intention of waiting year
or two. ana then marrying me. AT
length there came a day when found IL
necessary to exchange the quiet respecta-
bility of Durham for the hustle OF q Lon
don office, and left. Ours was a sad fare
we'll, one night beneath the moon. she
took my ring from my finger, kissed IL
anu replaced it, while | kissed her hair
and we exchanged vows OF undying love.
Then we parted. Well, you may guess
the rest. Within three months she was
wife, but I was not her husband. From
the moment when we said farewell on
that memorable night l never saw her
nor heard from her again. Times W,6nout
number I wrote, but my letters feInaiheo
unanswered, until saw in the papers tne
announcement Of her marriage Win seine
man who | ascsrtained later had masseo
a fortune at the Cape and had taken her
out there with him. Though l nave
grown old, have never ceased to remem
Der her. because she was the one woman L
adored, the woman who comes once INFO
this life of every man to tighten IL, guy
who alas too often forsakes hlm !of
solitary and forgotten, with only deeply
cherished memory as consolation. so IL
ia with you George" he added. 1T may
be. as you fear, that Lisne BROKER has
grown VERY, yet remember the Old adage
that a wornans mind and winter wind
change oft, and reflect that, II after ner
solemn vow to you she breaks her pledge,
she is unworthy"
"I know" he answered. "Neyertneless
she is my well beloved"
$50 to me was the woman of whom L
have just Spoken" he anwered. Never
uheless, that did not prevent me marrying
ten years later and living in perfect hap
piness with my wife till her death six
years ago. No, the thought OF the past ls
the privilege OF all mon. l admit that II
is daubly hard in your case that. having
sacrificed your fortune for sake OF her,
you should now find yourself being SLOWLY
replaced In her heart by some other man:
Nevertheless repeat am not surprised. .
"But you sympathise with me, al
though 81 speak SO foolishly." he said,
halt apologeticaliy.
s'There is surely no foolishness in discuss
ing a matter that SO closely concerns
mans future he said. "Ot course you
have my most sincere sympathy. and II at
any time I can offer advice or render as
sistan.e then command me.
"You are extremely good, the young
man replied. "Ihe mystery surrounding
Liane, the tragic death OF Nelly bridson,
the discovery of the missing miniature,
and the unfortunate girls acquaintance
with this unknown woman whom my
father designated as my wife, form an
enigma OF which. try how / will l am
unable to obtain any calculation.
Through all these months not a single
important fact has come to light.
s'True It's an extraordinary affair al
yliQ rQnlactnQ
the inquiry agents report in his breast
pocket. 'But 1 still hope we may dis
cover Marietta Lepage, and through hel
we shall certainly be able to learn some
thing. Until then, we must remain
patient.
bad rested upon his face, while he hao
been telling George the romance of his
life, had been succeeded by that keen b1sl
ness like air he always wore. He was
again the plain, natter-of-fact lawyer,
with his olean-shaven aqulline face, Dis
cold steel blue eyes and thin lips that
gave those who did not know him an I'M
preston of almost ascetio austerlty.
George Stratfield made no answer but
when a few minutes later his visitor had
gone, after placing his hand sympathetic
ally upon his shoulder and bidding him
bear up against misfortune, he cast him
self again into his chair and sat immova-
BILE, Needless of everything save the one
woman who was his idol.
Chapter VIII.
THE PROMENADE DESANGLAIS.
Nice, the town Of vioets and mimosa,
of confetti, of gay dominoes, and pretty
women, is at it's best in February, white,
clean, and ready for the reception of its
While England is still gloomy with rain
and fogs, and wintry winds still moan
through the bare branches. the weather is
already summer like with bright sun
shine, soft warm breezes, and sea of that
intense sapphire blue which only the
Mediterranean can assume. Little wonder
is it that the gay world of every European
capital should flock to Nice, SO mild is
it's climate, and so maryland unique are
its attractions.
Superbly situated on the broad beauti-
ful Bay Of Anges, with the promontories
of Ferrat and Antilles. jutting out in the
far distance on either side, and sheltered
by the lower terraces of the Maritime
Alps, 1T presents handsome appearance,
with the heights of Cimiez and other fer
tile oiive-oIad hills forming fitting back
ground. Close to the ses, in the centre
of the town Is the pretty Jardin Public
with it's cascade and cavern Of hanging
stalactites, and behind in the fine Place
Massena, wherein stands the handome
white Casino Municipal, while along the
coast OF the right stretches the world
famed Promenade DIES Anglais, magniti.
cent esplanade bordered by palatial hotels
anu villas. all uniformly white. The
roadway planted with palms oranges.
expresses, and aloes, and laid out with
beds Of sweet smelling flowers.
Although February, the oranges are
rive, and roses and carnations are already
in full blossom; the Jardin Public is a
blaze Of brilliant colour, and as one turns
from the Promenade into the clean white
streets the fragrance Of violets hawked
III huge punches at four sous by the
Aower-girls at every corner. Nice ii
indeed q town of.dowers The garden OF
each villa is full of them--almost every
person IN the street vera sa buttonhols
or carries violets, the florists shops diffuse
the odour of mimosa and roses far and
near, and even the confeotioners sell
dainty little round boxes of violets ano
roses orystallized in sugar. In those
spring days Nice is verify in Carnival
mood. Her hofels are full, her shops
display the daintiest fabrics: possible, and
as TO hats and sunshades-for both OF
which the town is famous-it is doubtful
whether such daring feats of millinery