The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-10-09
Lived Only to

l worth of paintings, statuary, furniture,
| bric-a-brac etc.
She sailed for Europe again.
CHAPTER w.
1.-THE fair American" as she was known
in Paris, bought a splendid mansion and
established a salon. Witty and charming.
her residence was soon crowded by mil
| lionaires, mobiles, princes, and even a king
paid court to her, Leopold, royal volup-
! tuary, the royal admirer of the deml-
monde was for a time a constant visitor
! at her salon. But not even for king,
| could the capracious American change her
mode of life.
She knew the reputation of Kink Leo
pold and she was a match for him. Both
] were alike, tickle and capricious. Their
fancies were but the fancies of the passing
| hour But one man caught her fancy-a
Russian-Vicomte de Henriot! The latter
was a man to appeal to any woman. ran,
! handsome, with raven hair, and nerce!y
waxed mustaches Moreover, he was paie
and aristocratic looking-a living eoltlon OIL
one of Balzac's heroes.
He was young, even younger than tine
fair American" and although he had seen
and knew the world, was yet young In
feeling and was impressionable lie came
to her salon every day he was permitted
and he was her constant companion in her
carriage on the boulevard. His devotion
was remarked by all, and gradually 1t be-
gan to be whispered that the two were TO
be married, although it was known that
the fair American had rejected many d
man of higher title.
Others ridiculed the idea, saying that
everyone knew the fair American would
never marry, that even she, herself, hao
said so. But they were disappointed, Ior
one morning Monsieur le Marie was called
IIoc hpP1ma
comtesse de Henriot That evening the
Figaro had larger sale than ever, for in
two lines it told of the wedding OF Nesta
Hastings to the handsome Russian.
Meanwhile, the two most interested were
on their way to Italy, where the honey
moon was spent 1t was delicious while it
lasted. But a fever of unrest possessed
the soul of the Vicomtesse. she could not
content herself in any one place, ana she
hurried the Vicomte all over Europe. Let
us go to Monte Carlo" she said one day
He hesitated seeming some unknown dam
ger, but finally consented, for who could
resist her witchery.
They went to Monte Carlo.
CHAPTER v.
She was happy in Monte Carlo and was
to be found day and night in the great
gambling palace. She seemed infatuated
and fascinated and none ever had the
gamblers fever worse than she. Her hus-
band ceased entirely to have influence
over her, and he only looked sad and sor-
rowful when she asked for money. He
gave it to her freely, but one day ventured
to demonstrate. The pride of the south
erner was aroused, and sweeping out of the
room she said that the next time she asked
for money he would be glad to furnish It,
He followed her an hour later and on the
way heard an American say: Il have just
lent the Vicomtesse five thousand francs
Ibid you speak of MY Wife, monsieur
asked the Russian.
The American looked the count over from
head to foot and answered calmly: Il do
not know whether she is your wife or not,
but have just lent the lady, who in Paris
was known as the fair American five
thousand francs"
''You lie," was the yicomte's answer.
1t does not take long to arrange duel at
Monte Carlo and some three or four hours
later the Vicomte de Henriot was lying on
his back with his face upturned to the
sky He had fallen at the first shot, bull
let hole through his heart.
Meanwhile Madame de Vicomtesse still
played with heaps of gold at Monte Carlo
1t was a lucky day for her and she had
nearly broken the bank when her hus-
bands death was announced to her
: She made no sign of grief or sorrow, but
calmly picked up her winnings and lett.
Next day she left Monte Carlo forever
For a while she stayed in Paris. a dream
of darkness in her widows weeds, then
suddenly discarding them started for San
Francisco. There she lived for time in
splendor at the Palace hotel but she soon
sickened of the coast and returned to
Paris again.
A week before her death she was visit
ing a. friend in the Rue Blanche and was
telling that she felt that something was
about to happen to her. Whether by acct
dent or design, none can tell but she fell
from the second story window at which
she was sitting, landing with crash on
the pavement below. She was conscious
when picked up and smiling feebly said
"Did / not tell you?"
For a week she fingered, then this break
or of mems hearts Vesta Dora Hastings,
Vicomtesse de Henriot died without a soul
that loved her near.
At her own request her grave is name
less and her wealth has gone to charity
where it may do good yet.
The look of worry and anxiety on the av-
erage married woman's face should con-