Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-03-22
IRENE'S vow
by CHARLOTTE N. BRAEME.
by CHARLOTTE N. BRAEME.

tnut ne stanuS over ncr, ana sue kHoWS
also that a terrible calm has come over
him, and that he is gazing in wonder Oh
her.
Presently she realizes that her husband
stands before her. She sees rich folds OF
white satin. and she knows that Lady
Estmcrc-thc woman who bears the name
that ought to be hers--also stands there;
the woman who unwittngly stole her
love.
What was the duke saying?
Ordinary forms of introduction are IN
this case useless. want the daughter
of the oldest friend I have in the world
to love my wife, and | want my wife TO
lore her.
Then the duchess looked up and saw
before her Il beautiful woman. whose
frank eyes and sweet lips smiled almost
tendcrly at her. They looked at each
other tixcdy for an instant--thcsc two
women who had crossed each others
lives so strangcly--and then two white
hands met each other. The duchess
made some kindly answer. and Lady Eat
mere said to herself that the difficulty
would be not to love one 50 cxluisitcly
loving and charming.
Another minute and the drapcrics of
white satin had vanished. A gentleman
with star on his breast was bowling
before her. and the duke. in voice that
she knew faltcrcd with emotion, told her
that this was Lord Gerant. his dearest
friend. She must speak--that she knew
If she died for 1t. And then the earl
made way for some one else. She would
not raise her eyes. but she saw a dark.
handsome head bending low before her;
she knew--she knew.
a few words from the duke, aud then
the voice that had once made her life's
music said, in a tone the Significance Of
which she herself perfectly understood:
IL cannot tell your grace how more
than delighted l am"
much. IT she. had looked ut him she
hand of ice clutched at her heart; that
the blood froze In her veins; that she
must fall fiat with her face on the
ground: that she could not help herself in
the least; then the duke said:
Irene, you look tired; let me give YOU
a chair. Why are you standingY'
She was just conscious when she sat
down that Lady Estmcre was saying
something to her. She closed her eyes for
one instant, and then strength came back
to her. 1t was a relief to her when the
dinner hell rang. The duke offered his
arm to Indy Estmerc, and Lord Gerant
took down the duchess. She recovered
herself sufficiently to talk to the great
statesman. and she delighted him by tell.
ing him how often she herself had longcd
to sec him.
II am sure" said Lord Gcrant. "that
we shall bc great friends: and thipk
tho duke has done the wisest action h
his life In marrying again"
II hope you will always think So" SAID
| the duchess, with one 0f her most charm
ing smiles.
1t was long and splendid banquet.
worthy Of the grand banlueting hall IN
which 1t was given. worthy Of the host
who gave It.: and Sir Hubert. watching
the duchess intently, wondered where
Irene had acquired that calm. serene
manner which caused her to be consid
cred one OF the best bred women Of the
day. One thing struck him-look at her
as he would. he never found her eyes OH
him; she treated him as the greatest
/ stranger. When the ladies' rose to retire,
as she passed him. quite by accident she
dropped one OF the lovely white violcts
from her bouquet. In an instant he had
stopped to pick 1t up, and offered 1t "a
her with low bow. She passed him
with the most Iueenly indifference, ana
did not take the flower.
| my bouquet Is falling to pieces" she
said; zone flower more or less does moi
natter"
The next moment she was gone, and
all the brightness of the room seemed u
go out with her.
When he entered the drawing room III
sat down by her side. The diamond cross
on her white breast did not stir. ii,
could not hattcr himself that her heart
beat one degree quicker for his coming.
You have some fine engravings there
duchess" he said; do you care abou,
pictures and art|
That is very comprehensive ques
tion," she said; land pardon me. not very
clearly put"
quite right" said Lord Gerant. 81
thought the same thing when I heard 1t. y
Lady Estmere looked up a little anX
iously; the strange infection In the swec,
voice Of the duchess struck her.
II am afraid they are not going to like
each other" she thought. land that woul,
be a great pity. ! must bring them to
gether."
II am very unfortunate" said Sir HUI
bert. LET me frame my question differ
emily. DO you like pictures. duchessY"
i do more. I love and appreciat,
them" she replied.
YES, OF all kinds-music. painting
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