The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-11-29

husband; that, indeed, she seemed to
fear him.
About Caussidiere himself, Adele
was much more explicit-indeed, she
seemed to be pretty well acquainted
with his secret life, and spoke of it
without reserve. Suddenly she asked:
do you know Mademoiselle Sera-
phine, of the Chartelet?"
NO.
well, Caussidiere does
what of that?"
'Well," repeated Adele, ''how dull
you are, monsieur You ask me
just now why Caussidiere neglects his
wife, and tell you"
HE has an intrigue with an ac-
tress? ?"
Not exactly. He simply prefers her
company. When Madame Mere sends
a little check, Caussidiere changes it,
gives Seraphine little supper, and
leaves his wife to mind the baby at
| home. VOLTA tout"
She turned as if about to leave him,
but Sutherland called her back
'sMademoiselle Adele, II am not
rich man but Madame Caussidiere has
| friends mo will not see her want. You
have access to her, have not; you
can give her some money"
Adele laughed aloud.
"That is so like a man." she said
| .Give her money! | give her money,
who can earn but few sous by sing
/ ing at a cafe? She would think I stole
it. Besides, she does not want money,
monsieur
Again she turned to go, and again he
detained her.
Adele, you see madame very often,
do you not?''
II go when I can. like the boy"
Women can often say a word of
comfort to each other. You won't say
that you ever met me, but if you can
make her happier by a word some
! times
He paused in some confusion, and
| held forth a napoleon Adele laughed
again, and roughly tossed his hand
aside
bah! kindness is not to be bought
from Adele of the Mouche dor shall
see her often, for, as l said, like the
child"
During the few days which followed
| Sutherland was like man entranced
utterly bewildered as to what he
should do.
/ Once or twice he saw Marjorie walk
| ing with her little boy in the streets
of Paris, and he fancied that her face
| looked more clreworn than ever. He
dared not speak to her. It would be
better, he thought, to make his pres
ence known to Caussidiere and to give
that gentleman plainly to understand
that unless Mariorie's life were made
more bearable to her, the checks from
Miss Hetherington would inevitably
cease That would be the only way to
touch Caussidiere's heart-it was the
surest way to proceed, and Sutherland
determined to act upon it.
One morning-some two days after
his interview with Adele-he left his
rooms with the determination to find
Caussidiere So engrossed was he with
this new idea that for the time being
he forgot all else. He walked through
the streets, along the boulevards. He
was wondering how and where he
should carry out his design, when he
was suddenly startled by the sound of
his own name.
He started, turned quickly, and
found himself face to face with Mar
jorie.
For a moment he could say nothing.
A mist was before his eyes, and his
rising tears choked him; but he held
forth his hands to grasp her trembling
fingers.
Johnnie" she said, sit is really
you! Oh, I am so glad, SO glad!'
He brushed away the mist which was
binding his eyes and looked at her
again. Her cheeks were suffused, her
eyes sparkled, and a sad smile played
about the corners of her mouth She
looked at that moment something like
the Marjorie whom he had known
years before.
The change lasted only for a mo-
ment, then her face became paler and
sadder than it had been before, and
her voice trembled as she said:
Johnnie, you must tell me now how
they all are at Dumfries''
She sat down on one of the benches
which were placed by the roadside. and
Sutherland took his seat beside her.