Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-05-04

bend her head. as if listening for some
haf-uttered whisper from someone
seated behind her, or would open her
own lips, with smile, and reply.
Who held that coveted place?
FlOrence'S breath came quickly. In
stantly she had recognized her as the
woman whom her husband had called
the Countess d'Aubigny.
A crimson spot slowly formed itself
on her white cheek; her violet eyes di-
lated and darkened She leaned for
ward, her glasses steadily fixed, and,
forgetting that her marked gaze was at
tracing the attention of others about
her.
But presently, on the plush curtain
which screened the interior Of the box
from view, a mans hand was care
lessly placed, half-holding it's heavy
folds. as though he wished to gain Il
certain view of the house.
The hand itself was unmistakable;
but, to make certainty more sure. on
its third finger was curious sapphire
ring. 1t was the ring Louis Gervase
always Wore, and about which he held
a strange superstition-that its loss be-
tokened evil to him.
Florence dropped her glass. For a
moment a deadly faintness overcame
her. but she forced it back. Then the
curtain fell upon the second act, and
the house broke into wild and tumultu-
Gus applause. But of the music the
wretched girl had heard no single note.
All her senses had been concentrated
in one. For few moments she sat
dazed and bewildered.
The people poured from the boxes
and seats into the vestibule and foyer
beyond. The places about her were al.
most deserted. Presently she looked
toward the spot which fascinated her
gaze as serpent the birds.
The countess was rising. That inyls-
ible presence behind made tender
movement, as if to throw Il wrap over
the beautiful shoulders, but she mega
tived it and passed out from the box.
Still moment longer Florence sat
quiet. Then she, too, rose to her feet.
''Come with me, Marie" she said. and
swept out into the foyer.
1t was densely filled. She scarcely
knew why she had come-what she
was about to do. But yesterday she
had been but child. wax to mould as
he would, in Louis Gervase's hands.
Tonight SIZE WIS IL N1OuSeAA dAe OuS-
ragged woman, with her love to make
the stronger the current in whose cold
waters she so suddenly found herself
plunged.
With head erect and the carriage of
queen she walked slowly down the
passage. Almost at it farthest end.
where the crowd was densest. she and
her husband met, face to face. She
alone. save for the presence and pro-
lection Of her maid; he. bending With
tender devotion over the beautiful wo-
man whose gloved hand rested on his
arm. his eyes gazing down into hers,
which We're appraised to meet them. his
whole attitude that of Il man loving
and beloved.
The blood turned to instant ice in the
young wife's veins. 1mperiously, she
took one step in advance: then stood so
directly in front that it was impossible
to pass her.
Louis" she said. in tones so loud,
so clear so distinct. that not only he
and. his companion but all around
could hear: Louis. may l ask that
you will present your wife to the
Countess d'Aubingy? l have long been
DESTROYS of the honor: and. at the same
time. l shall claim the protection of the
other arm
The little crowd of promenaders
stood still. One would have fancied a
thunderbolt to have been launched in
their midst On which of that little
group of three would it eXpend itself !!