The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-19

every line and look IF the beloved counte-
nance, vainly sought to explain or to dlspel
Throughout the day the shadow had peen
deeper than ever-throughouu the day Odllle
had felt oppressed by the weight of pre-
sentiment that before nightfal something
would happen that would for good or i'll eX-
ercise the greatest influence over her des-
tiny, and bring her face to face with the
crisis of her life.
Having coed the two long shining plaits
round the top of her head in the natural
crown which the earl so much admired,
Odille seated herself by the dressing able
on which she leaned elbow, and staring
straight before her with vague unseelng gaze
at her own reflection in the glass; gave her
self up to the sombre thoughts that haunted
her.
In the stiffness of the softly lighted room,
the past, especially a certain episode in 1t,
rose up vision rises and played itself out
afresh with terrible fidelity before her an
guished eyes.
Il cannot forget never shall,' she NUT
tered, despairingly, clasping and unclaspng
her hands. L resigned to suffer and be
still. If only L could foresee the end, and be
sure that we shall never meet again-if
could only hear that he is dead, then l
should be able to breathe more freely, and
fell more strength to renounce-
Thus she remained, sinking deeper and
deeper into the dark abyss Of her sombre
memories, till light tap al the door aroused
her. In response to her startled, Come in"
Lady Lillian entered, flushed and smiling
holding up her riding habit with one hand as
she advanced.
Never had Odlle seen her look so lovely or
so animated. Her beauty appeared to be
TRANSPORTED by some light from within
There was exquisite color, like the heart
of a shell, in her soft creamy cheeks and her
large blue eyes shone like sapphire stars be-
meath the shadoWy fringe of her curling
silken hair.
MY dear Odille, I thought 1 would just run
in for moment and tell you that we have
come back. We have had a splendid days
Hugh old
his-people he used to know somewhere
abroad-a French lady and her son. 1 don't
like foreigners as rule, but L must say they
are charming. However, you will be able to
judge for yourself
Are they coming here?" asked Odille, with
such real anxiety and distress In her face
and voice that Lady Lillian laughed outright.
What woeful countenance!" she cried.
Are you afraid that they will eat you ali e?
They are perfectly harmless I assure you.
Hugh invited them to dine here tonight, and
they accepted the invitation; and she added,
glancng at the clock on the mantelpiece, and
comparing it with her watch. Unless want
to walk in for dessert must hurry, for see
have only quarter of hour in which
to dress for dinner. Ta-tai"
with these words the earls sister turned
to leave the room. On the threshold, how
ever she paused and looking back laughing
ly over her shoulder, she sad archly-
| Don't make yourself too beautiful Odille.
Wear the least becoming gown you've got.
The son is really very handsome man. I've
almost lost my heart to him, and don't want
you to cut me out.
You have cause to fear rivalry any,
way, and think you know it, Lady Lillian"
| "Oh, but don't know it, Odile," replied the
earPs sister. Il always feel that look pale
and insipid beside you with your magnificent
dark eyes and regal grace. My brother is
quite right You must be Lalla Rookh-"
Instead of wasting your precious time fiat
tering me, Lillian, answered her ladyship's
companion; don't you think you had better
dress?
late for dinner ~
You are right-as usual, miss; although
what said just now was no f1atIery, but the
truth. Still, L think I'll take your advice.
If don't make haste youn steal march on
me, and cut away the ground from under my
feet. l assure you 1 should be horribly jeal
Gus, for he is quite my ideal. Think of By
ron's Lara, or what you would imagine he
ought to be like, and-Oh, bark, I do believe
that is eight striking.
This time, Lady Lillian really did take her
departure, and Odille Thorne, left alone, in
dulged in a moments reflection; then rising
with heavy sigh, proceeded to finish her
own toilet Simple enough it was, yet MOTH
ing could be more becoming than the black
I tulIe gown, the bodice of which, cut in V
at the neck, left the firm white throat and
also the arms from the elbow, bare, while
the knot of scarlet geraniums at her breast
and in her glossy hair set off her dark, rich
glowing beauty to admirable advantage.
A half smile curved her full soft lips as she
saw her own reflection in the glass, a smile
of instructive qualification, born of the con-
seriousness that she was looking her best but
it SOON faded. What did it matter how she
looked so long she was suitably dressed?
The only man whose admiration she cared to
win would never be anything TO her but a
stranger or, at most, a friend; although
and oh, the bitterness and angl{kh of the
Ithought-she knew that he loved her and
that were it not for the gulf that yawned
between them, a gulf that nothing couId/ever
bridge over-were it not for the shadow of
bo OVerhuQG he