The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-05-21

into her mind-thoughts of her lover and
the happiness that had Ned forever-but
she drove the memories back freely, as
she waited for her ring at the bell to be
answered.
A wondering-eyed little maiden opened
the door, and gave Madge stare. saying
In a timid, hesitating way, that madame
was at home. casting glance over her
shoulder as she spoke. She explained
that she was not the regular servant; her
aunt was that, but madame had been
angry and-wherupon Madge stepped into
the passage, bidding her tell Madame
Duval that Miss Selby had come.
With an intuition that 1t was the proper
thing to do, the girl asked Madge to stay
In the drawing room, opening the door of
IL as she did no. whence came the indie
Unable aroma of apples, lead rose leaves.
silence and disuse. The windows were
shielded by curtains of muslin. their folds
so long undisturbed hthat the dust had
given an air of solidity to them. A piano
stood open. it's uneven yellow teeth pro-
claiming its antiquity, and scattered on
the floor, lay sCme music, as though
thrown down hastily a French song be-
ing on the stand above the diScolored Key
board. A row of INTENDED flowers dropp-
ed on the window SILL adding dismalness
to the room beyond every other token OF
neglect, and sitting down Madge tried to
ina CINE the personality of Madame Du-
val. Then the door was opened abrupt
ly, and there entered one of the strang-
est, quaintest creatures she had ever be-
held. 1t was the madame herself. smil-
ing. shoulder struggling, and sparkling
arrayed in laces and silks. with toupee
of raven blackness. and an air of the ex-
tremest delight. With her claw-like
hands ct chp1 whpreOn glittered
rings to the second joints of her fingers.
she advanced with quick mincing step
to Madge. and imprinted kiss iirst on
one check and then on the oteher before
she could be prevented.
"Anda last, then. IS Mees Selbee
GOMEZ" exclaimed Madame Ange. What
happiness So expected also. Ma fol.
how long a journey. One must be dead
of it,
Madge had to recover from her surprise
before answering, and madame went on
volubly:
There shall be no conversation of bust
ness, until you are refreshed" she cried.
Poor chaile, l am in despair that you
are wearied to death And it is for me
that you are come so far. How gracious
to have answered so quickly too. But
allons, we will go to Another room.
Come. follow ne, my chaile," and they
went together into back room, where
meal was already prepared. a meal
which proclaimed that madame's means
were ample. and that her nature was
generous, forthere were choice wines ana
delicate viands, that seemed somewhat
out of keeinp with the small house and IT'S
appointments, SO far as Madge could
Judge of them. And madame Madse
tried to fix the face and person of her en-
lN,.t far
so volatile. so gesticulatoy. so altogether
different from any one whom Madge had
ever seen. that the attempt was In VAIN.
Madame Duvai was powdered and rouged
her brows were pencillcd, and there was
the CLINT of gold. as her REDEEMED npS
moved in quick speech and smiles. she
was dressed elegantly, ana yet "ilh"i
there was a soupcon of personal neglect
about her, an air which in man "ouiu
have denoted reckleSssneSs and something
more. but all was so strangely mihsieo
that il proved rather confusing. VI her
Kindness and thoughtful CONSIDERATIONS
however, there could be no ques'io"' anu
in aebort time Madge was joining in
malame's sprGhtly talk ana shlies' 'oo
n WIS impossible to resist her merrimeht'
and y. the fatigue Of her journey wore
off. Madge had fomred a laNoid"ie OP'''
ion of Madame Ange DuYal
..vz,o eb,II love so much each other dear
ohaiI. ., said the latter. 81 have the tr'e
belief of this Is il not soF Aireduy w
are no LONGER strangers, and my hle'-dh
my life is to be no more desolate. am +"
widow since ten years, ana before 'i'el.
Mon Eieu. but it VAS happiness the hos'
supreme Henri-my husband, you hilo W
ne Worship my fee. but alas! so ma" "
ramble We were very tlCH' puu ~
Henri he lose Observation-Disclosures. anu
the heringed fingers were waved. oei
he die. So sudden also ala nc ue-in q
NO r7ent and ! was devoured with grleI
,ba most horrible After that | travel
boiro stiu rich. and at last reach England
a,,d bere It is repos that | desire, but
village give me too much repos; there is
no companee that regard me, ana inc
.padre your English pastor, Is OF the
most duh. Then l advertise for com
nanion. and they come. Mon Dieu! they
come" and Madame gave shrill laugh
leaning back in her chair.
Did you have many answers TO your
ADVERTISEMENT asked Madge.
You ask me. my chaile. cried madame,
"Do they answer? Ciel! l have tall
enc come who chill my blood. so austorc
and triete was She. short one who SHAH
No what YOU call 'sharwoman' in her
come doubtless: another who have the
look of CRYING always in her face, I'M
le-etand YOU. ard twenty more, thIfty
more that shall be companion. yes
companion to a grave digger. 10 nun, to
. rcclusc. perhaps. but not to Madame
Duval desire merriment. beauty, sym
nathv. Is it not so? And | find 1t In you
my chaile. | am content.
Madse watched madame who spoke so
rapidlv that It was hard work TO follow
-. IA ,bcn anDrO1ched the subject OF
terms.
~ can't decide TO accept the situation
clio answered after madame had stated
rbasa and described the duties that would
dcvolve upon her. which We're in nowise
irl,eome. until / have consulted my
mother
..Nho will let you come TO me. my dear
chaile." exclaimed her hostess. Il beg
YOU to say that she have no fear of your
happiness Is it not SOP
81 am sure YOU would do everything
for nv comfort madame" replied Madge.
comfort! All! but yes. We will travel
toee. her for time For | am weary OF
ms 1,iIlare. Also of my house that IS so
di:,rraneed at this hour. l have servant
whom treat too well, and she is an in
CRATE At moment 'Saran fly from
mo " and madame's beady eyes shot out a
fash of anger.
The migrate Saran." she continued. Il
nay her we'll she rob me always and
do nos complain ever. L give Saran OF
the inest food. and the Work is mo- hard.
But Saran has SO quick a temper, and of
80 much fire. that she quarrel always.
Then she depart-pouf-is gone. But she
come, back in "A day-two day with tears
SO grieyed, She weep Tor pardon, and
forgive
from this explanation Madse gathered