The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-04-18
The
Second Wife,
CHAPTER X.
VOLUME III.


Dark, heavy clouds gloomed overhead
as the little party left the forest and APP
preached the gamekeepers cottage
Raoul, who had gone on ahead without
speaking. now expressed HIS opinion that
they had all better tarry In the cottage
till the storm was over but his WIFE
urged their proceeding homeward at once,
as the Hofmarschall would be anxious on
Leo's account; so. with hurried steps
they walked through the garden, ana
when they reached tho fruit plantation.
the wind was dashing the leaves about IN
wild confusion. and the fruit on the trees
10 the ground.
Whom they neared the castle. they met
one OF the stable boys. and Raoul stamp
ed his foot with impatience as the boy IN
formed him that the duchess, with one OF
her ladies' was up at the house. where
she had sought shelter from the threat
ening storm, and that the horses had
been sent 10 the stables.
Now sha'n't 7 have sweet nome
coming? Could IL be possible To have
more agreeable or more delightful well
conner" asked Raoul. mockingly, as
bending toward his wife, he pointed 10
the broad flight OF steps not far on
The duchess had just hastily come out
through the glass door, the wind Violent
~ tossing about her long, black hair, ana
tearing at the white ostrich feather IN her
hat She wore a dark-blue riding-habit'
the skirt OF which fell in heavy folds
around her feet. as she clung with botn
hands 20 the balustrade and stared with
such wondering. doubtful even at the ad-
vancing pair that she seemed TO forgot 10
acknowledge Baron Mainau's low DOW
| Drawing herself proudly TO her fnll
height, she turned quickly and re-entered
| the room where, a few minutes later, the
| newly arrived couple found her leaning
! back comfortably In an armchair, talking
| TO her court chaplain and the Hofmars-
| chall
The clouds hung SO low and heavy out
side that the large, spacious room was
! gloomy and dark; the pictures on the
walls shook and trembled as the wind
| swept round the terrace. and the gypsy
| ornaments paled like ghosts I'm the fast
! increasing obscurity; but still paler and
/ more gloomy was the face OF the royal
! lady, with its scornful thin lips; and her
eyes. which shone like blazing Goals from
under her green felt hat, made the dying
| light OF the apartment appear darker and
! drearier by contrast. She returned Lame :
graceful bow by naughty inclination or
| her head.
What whm will you indulge I'm next.
Raoul7" cried the Hofmarsohall. angrily.
/
horses and carriage TO chance for senti-
| mental walk through the forest! Do you
| know what a serious accident has very
| nearly happened by your carelessnessg
How could you do such a stupid thing as
leave those Wild Wolskershausen horses
In the hands OF that donkey Andre! They
| ran of with him. and he arrived home
here more dead than alive with fright"
Ridiculous! he has had them a thou
sand times before under his charge.
dare say they shied at the mill-ston'
again Besides. allow me TO observe tina
my return through the forest had moth
o. ing TO do with any sentimental non
sense had no desire for sun-strok'
seated up there on the coach-box. so
strolied through the shade under tn
trees
And YOU my dear young lady, did you,
best to spend your afternoon alone, walk
ing to that foresters house YOU pretenC
such an affection for" said the old mar
in a cutting sneering tone to Lame, with
out taking the trouble TO turn his heat
toward her But I must beg that yol
don't consider my grandchild as Trachen
berg property, 10 be disposed OF according
TO your wish and will have been anx
ious about him for hours"
"I am very sorry for that. Herr Hof
mafschall," replied Lane. quietly. takint
no notice OF the old gentleman's imperti
nent remark.
The duchess seemed suddenly TO be
come brighter She drew Leo closer to he
and kissed him.
But he has come back all right. m,
dear Herr Won Mainau," she said. sooth
ingly.
Leo dragged himself away from th'
princes mamma" whom he could no
bear" as he had once declared. and goins
to table In front OF her. he took vi
her ridingwhip and began playing will
tit The knob at the top was an ex
ouisite shaped tigers head. In gold, will
brihants for eyes
This whip is the same as the one II
the picture that papa had on his table,
cried the child. referring to the iarg
, photograph OF the duchess that his fathe
had once shown Lame; but it's not Their
anv longer, I know" and no switche,
the whip through the air. "All the othe
pictures are gone. too, and where the,
.