The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-25
The
Second Wife


Aione, ana surrounded Dy everything
strangel For the first moment she felt
as II she should surocate as n she were
imprisoned, and rushing from one 10 the
other OF the doors. she moved the locks
TO assure herself that she was not con-
hned and barred in. No; the glass door
leading to the garden was ajar, and put
, ting her hand on the handle nothing
prevented her from drawing IT open and
heeing from the house. To fee? Had
she not come willingly? Was II not In
her full power to have said NO" in
spite OF the severe glance of her
mother or the entreating words OF her
sister? She had made a mistake-a fear
ful mistake-and herein her school-life
was TO blame
Most OF the girls who were educated
with her were daughters OF noblemen OF
( good family. With rare exceptions, they
| had each been engaged 10 a man OF their
/ parents choice, and on leaving school
after a very short courtship been mar
ried without n question being raised or
their feelings consulted I'm the smallest
! degree. One young lady. whom Lane
specially liked-a beautiful, clever girl.
who had conhded TO her an attachment
for a young officer. had also. at her
parents express desire married AN
elderly man OF rank without r demur.
although she really and deeply loved the
young fellow who had won her heart
And so II was that Lame had come 20
regard marriage as a mere conventional
arrangement and when her turn arrived
and lover was proposed 10 her by her
mother, and her sister had begged her 10
accept him Ior her sake she had given
way and consented 10 their wish, with
out for a moment considering there was
any other path open 10 her but submis-
sion.
Magnus and Ulrike had urged her TO
this marriage 10 free her from the
wretched influence OF her home life and
she had let herself he freed She knew
she had not one reproach to cast against
Mainau that In any way he had deceived
her She had said: Yes" that morning
at the altar with a true intention and
earnest desire TO perform her new duties
10 the best or her power. but now. alas
the veil had fallen from her eyes: she
was forever separated from those sue
loved and had not the slightest hone OF
ever being rewarded for the sacrifice she
had made She was chained for life Ia
the side OF a man who could never love
her and who desired nothing so little
I'm the world as 10 be loved by her: a
"hoi' AphB llit ny the side or the man
who could not and would not even Give
her sympathy. And she glanced a oiIicx
frightened glance around at the ruxurv
OF the furniture and the costliness OF each
article.
Here the first wife lived and from the
irony Of Mainua's words when he spoke
of her. she gathered that she must have
been spoiled. wayward child. who in
hts OF temper could stamp her tiny foot
and fling her delicate body on the soft,
rich velvet carpets and softer reclining
sofas with which the room was filed. Not
one hard seat not one wooden stool. was
To be seen; all was elegance. luxury and
glittering ornament. Lame opened a win
dow and thought that the departed one
must have reveled in jasmine perfume,
for IL filled the air and clung TO the hal
cony and wall and curtain.
What was that sound that met her ear
as she moved the sash line and inhaled
the intoxicating perfume2 was It the
huttering soul, made like exquisite lace |
and so pious, that IL had gone to |
heaven?' Was IL coming back again, |
that IL should sigh and moan like that I'm |
the air just above her head? She held her |
breath and listened. hardly daring to |
move.
What is it?" she asked aloud as TO |
her inexpressible relief. the maid entered |
the room just as the soft signing murmur |
ABOVE grew louder ana distinct. |
What Is that noise?"
up In the trees there hangs an aeolian |
harp, gracious lady" replied the girl
Lane gazed out OF the window, and |
then shook her head.
There Is not a breath Of wind"
perhaps IL comes from over where the |
lady lies i'll since many years" replied /
the maid pointing 70 a wire grating a lit
tie distance away behind which rose an
obelisk. "I don't know much: I have only
been here week. The servants don't
seem TO care about IL; and I'm the kitchen |
they say she is here only out OF charity: |
and think how fearful. gracious lady she
has not been baptised! never venture be-
hind that grating; am afraid Of the big
oxen. and the trees are full OF monkeys
horrid animalsl BahH'
Lame did not answer. but slowly walk
ed into the dressing-room and nut herself
into the hands OF her maid. This time the
rich brocaded silk rusted and cracked
around her every time she moved; and
when. half an hour later she Joined
Mainau in the blue boudoir, he started
with surprise at the beautiful apparition
OF his young wife. The "Maypole" could
wear train with grace. and had besides,
such exquisitely nodded arms and shoul-
ders that surely IL could only have been
Intense coquetry that had caused her to
hide them under the simple muslin dress
SHe mac worn IN lne morning. A wreath OF |
orange-blossoms circled the rich masses
OF her wonderful golden red hair" which
shone and gllstened I'm beautiful contrast
against the deep blue color on the walls
ALLOW me 10 thank you. Julane, for
showing so much tact as 10 lay aside the
modest toilet you love so well, and for ap-
pearing I'm my house as behts the position
you are TO hold"
She lifted her dark eyelashes and looked
at him. not with pale-blue ewes n Ia 10 |
valliere, but with honest brown eyes fun
or earnestness and courage, as she said
calmly. though not IN the familiar thou
and thee" that he used toward her. and
which all Germans employ when address
Ing near relatives:
You must not think too well of me n
was not shyness which caused me 10 ap-
FRANK 7