New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-04


Lady Fea5herstoue withdrew her hand somewhat
magic was there in voice that could set her
days; the same low. tender. passionate pleading
voice that fifteen Years had thrilled her. stolen
its way into her heart fingered long after IN
her memory. and now again was sounding In her
Then Nadlr1e. went on GressOnier. still with
his eyes upon her face-"hfteen years. Is II not, I
the last tmec-then 7 said. one day. perhaps. Z I
would come back. Madame. ] have come; am
Madame. the same. more beautiful-nO older
t3an the girl whose face has I've, Treasured IN
WINNIE, dav ana night since that last time.
Nadame-6fteen years ago is II not
say IN that moment OF supreme emotional retro
srcct. Yes. hf-een Years ago. VI Gressonter, I
thi1S q is long ting. truly she added NTH
sri 9qrE and roma nc, but a wointia Nio9 ~
win children People ,hanse. VI Gressonier- Oid
All. s:idar,e-you s,ye" broke IN the French
C a mas iir. ,bs-.,ss rot F51t vet h. Is trte-a
Not soon she corrected. You went away.
society must do never expected 20 see you
preach me-after an these years. ,-,. D..
She gave another little laugh. endeavoring %
place their interview upon a more commonsenss
and conventional footing. The tension Of this hish
RzSrreIaIGost thsatrcaI: and vet her heart re.
Sponted Ike a sensitive instrument to the touch q
CiresSOuier lie perceived her embarrassment and.
with quick adroitress adapted his attitude 20 her
let ne explain he said Z TO rsprOach your
course open Taen when 1 would have retgrn -
a week ago that YOU were widow-and i am
heret But why? To see YOU once again, to hear
Madame-the pressure OF yoIr fingers upon mirei
Ana, Madame. for something else-to learn whesther
the heart a maiden remain true FOR ntteel
am poor~sas- Your EYES are eloquent: they tell
me much Il is true ! poor. shabby Old
1 should not have come You have forgotten
learnt what , wished TO learn"
He turned to 60 Then a sudden veil seemed VT
ed from Lady FeatherstOne.s eyes. She saw oeIore
her longer i'll dressed. middle aged man.
handsome gallant lover OF her youth. the man
who had loved her 50 long and fsitbRdgy whom s9
never ceased to Iove-whOm she loved still!
the thrill Of an electric shOck-she loved him stfL
With a quick shy gesture she turned to me
do not leave me- she said simply. Il lows
NJ Gressonier turned. 100. and a light leaped irto
his eyes. He became suddenly erect he looked ter
carried them again and again to his lips -.
Ny lOve-rny own true lover
IF marry you" said Lady Featherstone. a fsv
minutes later. Il lose all my money-you knO"
"SoneyP'-he stretched out his hands. deprs-
catingIys What OF it? IL is not your money-nO.
II is you yourself that I want that have wanted.
sn;xistv 7.But you?'' he added TT is a great
sacrihcel 1 am so Door You DO not love me well
Lady Featherstone sighed: i was a great s9cri-
long as they had enough TO live up9n-- shs
Yes she said Il viii give up everything for
There was curious smile upon Gressoniers tacs
he drew her toward him and kissed her rev.
Mon anget' he whispered. Mon ange.
The Sudden striking Of the little clock on tbs
mantelpiece awoke Lady Featherstone the next in.
slant 70 a Tuae i 1, ~. +,T a., two
hours she would have TO receive her guests.
began. and then stopped. in some confusion,
glancing at Gressoniers clothes lie not ,S,
An he said "a dinner partye That IS so nice
'.Of course said Lady Featherstone. oraveiy;
But" added N Gresso7ier. sudden expression
Of doubt crossing his features. Iny-Ty clothes. Z
clothes, ne stammered. But il 1 may come-juss
mere win be some distinguished guests" fai-
tered Lady FeatherStOne. The French Ambassa-
"Ah. fhe French ambassador and De seriIlaos
ma cherie" said GressOnier that Il bonnie chance,
To meet two such men-what pleasure! Then
Lady Featherstone drew deep breath. AS you
Gressonier drew back as though he had BEEN
aMadame-you-you are not ashamed OF meT'
Al. Paul. she murmured
Yes" said Lady Featherstone
II was not without certain qualms Of anxiety
that Lady FeatherstOne awaited the arrival or her
little at the prospect OF the effect likely 70 DO
produced upon the rest OF tne Iy ,o1 1e oS
IN morning dress but I'm very shabby morning dress;
and she wondered in what possible way she could
strued into offence against good taste and th3
respect due 20 her other guests Why DID Paul
GressOrier insist upon being present uider suca
circumstances? Ee had never In the early daNS o.
their acquaintance. shown himself deficient either
IN breeding or in knowledge Of the usages %
his present strange want OF tact
The drawing room was already half fil or guests.
when the fuOtmau throwing ODen the door. an
nouuced Ellis ExceIency the French AmDassador
and the Count de Serillac"
LADY Featherstone turned as the two gentlemen
entered took a step forward. then paused
NJ ChamhOrd advanced With bow ana smile.
T{ur lad FeatherstOne scarceIv noticed the
bassadOr Her color went and came, her heart beat
vfoleu4Iv her eyes remained fixed with bewider~f
evening dress the Order Of the Grand Cross OF ts
.egion Honor his breast. a smile upon rs
handsome face.
NO. Madame" he answered. bowling over her
hand: but your most humble. YOUR most admir-
Won think" he whispered in her that should
really have come 70 YOU Ike that-a poor broken
down man-and asked you TO marry me- no.
that is all And YOU would have sacrificed every-
thing for me, You would even have sacrificed your
pride, You willing FOR ne 70 come here
even in r9gs-and disgrace YOU before the French
A ambassador and the Count de Serillac. IL &c notr
An. dear one. but I am not q poor man-no. am
rich You shall sacrifice nothing for me-nOt even
your pride OF for Serillac. toe. that il good
name IN France; yes. good name for my dear
0ue bear,''
smiling. "I see that you and " De Serillac are not.
after All. total strangers You have met before"
De SsrillaC placed his hand on the Ambassadors
shoulder with good natured laugh.
Forgive me. my friend" he said II have a.
ready the honor OF Lady FeatherstOne's acquaine-
ince. We have met before And now that vs.
stone shall ever part from memo. not any uorsI-
THE Sketch.