The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-13
A NOVEL,.
@p Mrs. elizabeth G. @irter
isabella CASTELAR,,

|
die, it would be very well worth while,
for Lord Appleby is doomed man.
He can't live six months, and though
the child seems bright and healthy
he inherits the malady that is killing
the father. A sudden shock, a
severe cold, fall from his
pony may kill him any day.
It is more than an even chance that
the wife of the Honorable Clarence
Stanley may one day be Countess OF
Windermere-a pretty title, and I
like it, too; it will suit me-"
A ripple of merriment flashed over
the pale, clear face, lighting up the
soft, tranquil eyes and giving the
delicate checks and chin gentler and
rounder curves.
"'Countess of Windermere! have
often written it on my card" she said
to herself, continuing her mental
soliloquy; "and perhaps it might have
been wise if I had gone further and
had it engraved there. The dear old
earl! Wasn't he in love with me?
There is no fool like an old fool; and,
after all, he may outlive both sons
and grandson; but if he does, my
power remains. Men of his age and
temperament, when they fall in love
at all, don't get over it easily, nor are
they in a hurry to repeat the expert
ment. Clarence looks well; he is
wonderfully handsome; but not at all
like the old earl nor like Lord
Appleby either. Does ne inherit the
fatal malady that is killing his
brother? They must have it on the
| mothers side, for their father is as
hale and strong as his youngest son..
But if that is not your particular
weakness, my handsome Clarence, I
must find out just what it is, for you
will never be as'much in love with me
as your papa is."
As this thought passed through her
mind, Olive Gaye moved slightly and
turned her head, 80 that, without
seeming to stare at her, she could look
calmly and deliberately at her near
| neighbor, Madame Celestine. That
the young foreigner was woman OF
surpassing Iovetiness she had quickly
seen in the merely passing glimpse
already bestowed on her; and now,
| loyking at her critically and leisurely,;
she found that the first impression
was only deepened by more extended
observation.
."What q beauty" she thought,
without q twinge of envy; for this
singular girl had almost contempt
for mere physical beauty. 1T is q
compensation to have no beauty
rather than be put in competition
with such perfection as that. sup
pose she has no brains at all. For
nature is just, and when she. turns
them out like that, she generally puts
all their goods in the show-window.
But Wait a minute, Olive, my dear.
Perhaps there is more in this show
window than appears at the first
glance. If she was mistaken in her
supposed recognition of my hand
some Clarence, why does she look at
him in that way?"
Olive Gaye had more than once seen
the expression which passionate love
could give to the human face, and she
had never before seen that expression
more intense than it now showed in
the beautiful features and glowing
dark eyes of Madame 'Celestine.
"She loves him!' thought Olive.
"That is not mere memory called up
by O resemblance, real or imaginary
it is the man she is now looking at
that she loves. There is some mystery
here, and if can solve it, perhaps it
may be of use to me. If he had any
sensibility, such look would magne-
tie him, but he hasn't; another sign
that he will not be an easy man to
deal with; but, no matter. Nothing
that is worth having is easy to get.
But I do wish he would look this way
for an instant; I would give much to
see his face if he should suddenly
meet that woman's eyes. But, no!
Be.tha's head is in the way; even if
he should look he wouldn't see her;
there, the act is over!"
And as the curtain fell, Clarence
Stanley again bent toward Polly
Hamilton, and they two were presently
once more absorbed in themselves. As
they drew back into the box,
Olive heard a long-drawn sigh
from the lips of Madame Celes-
tine. It was a most eloquent sigh.
and told of hopeless love, and pas
sionate, despairing jealousy more
plainly than a whole torrent OF words
could have done.
"Who can she be?" thought Olive
Sage. "They are not in society here,
and yet they are evidently wealthy.
And with her beauty. But no doubt
they are strangers here-new arrivals
in the city. Bertha, DEAR" and she
turned toward her companion, who
had just ceased from her rapturous
applause of tie prima-dona, II want
to know your friend, Polly Hamilton
she seems q charming girl. When
will you take me there?"
Whenever you please; any day
you say-to-morrow if you like"
Very well, then-to-morrow,"
said Olive, with pretty air of decis-
ion, which, curiously enough, left on
Bertha's mind the impression that
she had decided the matter-one of
the many ways in which Olive Gaye
managed to have her own way, while
other people thought they gave it to
her.
The usual hubbub of talk and
movement, almost as loud as that Of