New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-18
TIE House on the Hudson.
,copynsh. 1905. By caari.. scribn.-. sOn,1


FrenchwomanP Did you imagine that your
ridiculous attempt at flight would remain long
undiscovered? You think me eruel-I know
that well What were you tonight pray when
you condemned me to endure moments. nay.
hours OF anguish while you were amusing
yourself risking life and limb on that Damned
roof? saw your bed empty-fOund the door
OF your dressing room was locked. and guessed
the rest. What IS It 20 you that 1 stood oeio"
on the veranda. straining eyes and ears 70 see.
to hear. every muscle on the alert 70 catch you
should you have fallen? tel you u was agony.
am strong man. not deficient in nerve. bur /
swear 70 YOU my fear was 50 great. the strain
so intense that cold sweat rolled IN great drops
OF nv forehead But do you care? Not a BIZ
II Don gets thorn in his paw your tender ae.'ll
is wrung. but for the man who would sen NJ
soul 10 the devil 20 get you baubis you IAN
cied-for him you have no feeling
TIL tomorrow night was TO be given TN
tomorrow night"
so be IT," he said. shortly. Il viii keep my
word"
Your oath. doubted him. swear that you
give me till then"
He smiled strangely. laid his right hand on
my head. and said:
BY this golden head. my dearest treasure I
swear to keep my word"
No. Philip Swear by Madam's grave
He paIed to the lips under his dark skin
BY the grave Of petite Maman'"
I believed at last.
He rose. releasing my hand. and stood looking
down upon me.
Julie is coming You will be safe with her
I shall expect to see you at dinner tomorrow
evening-but no. this evening. The dawn OF
your wedding day 10 close at hand"
remained silent.
Il give you until 10 in the evening to make
Up your mind TO become LILY wife
1 did not SPEAK
The time has come for me TO speak plainly.
Athena Should you refuse to behave sensibly-
In short should you refuse to go tsts"'sh the
marriage service. you shall belong - p~e Just
the same. This-I also swear" Pc stopped
took my face between his hands LOOKED deep
into my eyes. Julie guards you tonight To-
morrow night shall be with you. as your hus-
band-or your lover II is for you 20 choose
He kissed me on the lips and left the room
His wicked words Disguised but failed to ter
rifv me. The moment the door closed upon
him my brain yielded to its fatigue Philip and
his threats faded from my mind was con
scious only OF being tired. so very tired. and OF
having gained some hours in which 10 rest
Julie. hard eyed and grumbling. helped me TO
bed and I sank into heavy sleep that lasted
fully six hours. 1t was o'clock in the morning
when I opened my eyes. walked by the sound
Of nv own laughter Julie stood at the bed
side. watching me curiously. I stared at her IN
dismay II was hard to come back TO the a"rui
reality Of life. after my happy dream
I had been In the old barn back OF our Long
Island farmhouse. Its wide doors stood open.
letting in broad rays OF sunshine. the crisp
sea breeze, the scent Of new mOwn hay. ON the
dusty floor square was marked on IN lines OF
chaIk-a space OF twenty feet or so. In II
ha
later years but the cheerful companion OF my
childhood. gay. bright eyed. debonair. listened
10 his kind voice his light hearted laughter an@
TO his advice This last. because OF its abb
surdity-how might ever need such advice
amused me so that I laughed aloud. and my
dream was over. But at sight OF jules dark
face laughed no longer. I found the counsel
OF my dead father good.
win MadenoiseHe. breakfast IN bed or rise
said I would get up.
For you. MadernOiseIIe." giving ne a small
box and a note. Monsieur has gone 70 town for
the day He returns at six. as usual He wis he'd
you 10 receive this Immediately on waking
voilat"
I broke the seal languidly-Tnore insults
couched in fowery language probably. but they
must be read Each move OF the enemy was i'm
portant
Dearest Athena:
7 spoke roughly, cOarsely. last night 1or-
got myself. I beg your pardon. Let me assure
YOU that whatever may be your decision snail
from henceforth look upon. treat you. az ny
much loved and hOnored wife.
1T is but natural that should wish our mar
rage 10 be lawful but you shall decide. With
or without the sanction CT the Church. SHAH
regard the tie as sacred Later you VIII con-
sent II not now. to our union being made legal
May I see this ring your lovely hand when
I return? I shall regard IL as token OF your
forgiveness. Your devoted PHILIP.
"Highgrove Hail. 7:3O a m. Friday morning
In the little box was the ring. A splendid dia-
mond set in diamonds He must always GID
the lily I thought. staring absently at the mass
OF flashing gems. The ring was heavy. A sud
den thought moved 70 slip it on my finger
Not the fourth finger OF the right hand, ex-
claimed Julie. "Of the left. MademOiseller'
I baIIed my hand into a fist The diamonds
rose sparkling above the knuckles. Yes, u was
a very heavy ring. I drew il OF. replaced II In
its box and told Julie TO put II away, any
where.
You Will not wear IT, Mademoiselle?"
Not now, Julie"
When Monsieur returns. perhaps
1 HPerhaps julie