Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

The countess stepped forward WITH
outstretcheN hands.
"Madame Vanira,'' she said, "will
you spare me few minutes? | wish to
speak most particularly with you
Leone rang the bell and gave orders
that she was not to be disturbed. Then
the two ladies looked at each other.
Leone knew that hostilities were at
hand, although she could not quite tell
why.
The countess opened the battle by
saying, boldly:
81 ought, perhaps, to tell you,
Madame Vanira, that ] recognize you. :"
Leone looked at her with proud I'M
concern.
Il recognize you now, although /
failed to do so when I first saw you. I
congratulate you most heartily on your
success"
con what success?" she asked
"On your success as an actress and a
singer. l consider you owe me some
thanks.
Truly" said Leone, 81 owe you
some thanks
The countess did not quite like the
tone of voice in which those words
were uttered; but it was her policy to
be amiable.
Your genius has taken me by sur
prise she said; yet, when I recall
the only interview ever had with you,
I recognize the dramatic talent you
displayed.
Il should think the less you say Of
that interview, the BETTER" said Leone
ut was not much to your ladyship's
credit"
Lady Lanswell smiled.
1--WE will not speak of it," she said
But you do not ask me to sit. Madame
Vanira, what charming house you
have here
With grave courtesy Leone drew a
chair near the window, and the
countess sat down. She looked at the
beautiful woman with winning
smile.
will you not be seated, madame ?"
she said. II find it so much easier to
talk when one is seated"
How did you recognize me?" asked
Leone, abruptly.
Il cannot say truthfully that
recognized your face" she said "You
will not mind my saying that if had
done so I would not have invited you
to my house, neither should have per-
mitted my daughter-in-law to do so. 1t
has placed us all in a false position
I knew you from something my son
said about you. guessed at once that
you must be Leone Noel. I must re-
peat my congratulations; how hard
you must have worked"
Her eyes wandered over the mag
nifcent face and figure, over the
faultless lines and graceful curves,
over the artistic dress, and the beauti-
full, picturesque head.
you have done WELL" said the
countess. Years ago you thought me
hard, unfeeling, prejudiced cruel, but
it was kindness in the end. You have
achieved for yourself fame, which no
one could have won for you. Better to
be as you are, queen of song, and so
queen Of half the world of fashion,
than the wife of man whose family
and friends would never have received
you, and who would soon have looked
on you as an incumbrance."
pray pardon me, Lady Lanswell, if
l say that have no wish whatever to
hear your views on the subject"
My lady's face flushed.
81 mean no offense," she said, st
merely wished to show you that I have
not been SO much your enemy as you
perhaps have thought me-" and by the
sudden softening of my lady's face,
and the sudden tremor of her voice,
Leone knew that she had some favor
to ask.
81 think, she said, after a pause,
that in all truth, Madame Vanira, you
ought to be grateful to me. You would
never have known the extent of your
own genius and power if you had not
gone on the stage"
"The happiness of the stage re-
semblGs the happiness of real life
about as much as the tinsel crown of
the mock queen resembles the regalia
of the sovereign" replied Leone. cit
would be far better if your ladyship
would not mention the past"
II only mention it because I wish
you to see that I am not so much
your enemy as you have thought me
to be-"
Nothing can ever change my
opinion on that point" said Leone.
you think ] was your enemy?" said
the countess, blandly.
'The most cruel and the most relent-
less enemy any young girl could have"
said Leone.
81 am sorry you think that" said
my lady, kindly. ''The more so as I find
you so happy and so prosperous"
you caqnot answer for my happi-
ness" said Leone, briefly
81 acted for the BEST" said the
countess, with more meekness than
Leone had ever seen in her before.
cit was a miserable BEST" said