The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-14
CHAPTER Y

/ Tooin, Fdtner tnan De alone WIN MIN; for
after the conversation which had just
taken place, she had no desire to speak
with him on the ordinary topics OF her
uneventful life. But she could find no ex-
| ctse for going away, as IL was not time
for Leo 20 so TO bed. who was racing up
and down the steps with Gabriel outside
tho glass doors. so she drew her chair
| closer 10 the window 10 catch the fading
/ light, and went on with her embroidery
! What do you think OF the eccentric
| family TO which I have brought you, Ju-
/ laine?" suddenly asked MaInua after a
pause, during which he had lighted him
self fresh cigar. MY uncle il ready TO
! tear out every hair OF his head at the
/ bare idea OF a drop OF FOOLS blood run
ming through his veins and for him he IL
/ right with his love OF forms and ceremo-
/ MES And you, Julalne? believe, with
! your quiet. natural intuition. you agree
with him. II Judge you rightlyT'
! lie waited for an answer. but none
came. She did not even raise her eyes TO
his face. not seeming to deem II worth
while 10 contradict him and assure him
that she thought the contrary. She drew
her head, and held up her work to the
| light. 10 examine the effect OF the shading
TO tho flowers she had just completed. Her
tender ripe lips were slightly pressed to-
deepened the clear pure white OF her fore
head.
Her husband gazed At her sweet face.
which. with its dropping eyes and deli
cate profile had something OF the lifeless
look of statue about II. and involunta-
rily wondered within himself II II were
possible for anything, except family
pride, to bring an expression OF interest
and animation into her countenance. But
a moments reflection convinced him that
IL was well If IL were so, and that he
would not alter her indifference II he
could
That Is very beautiful design" he
said. carelessly. bending near her and
touching the embroidery in her hand. II
can quite understand that reserved.
quiet woman could so thoroughly interest
herself in this kind or work as not 20 be
Influenced by the world around her. dare
say now you have scarcely noticed the
difference between me and my uncle?'
His voice was low and persuasive. as II
he wished 10 hear her confirm with her
own lips the opinion he had expressed Of
her indifference.
II have noticed enough 20 be astonished
that you yourself are constantly evading
the order OF your own program she an
swered, gently. You say YOU wish for
quiet peaceful even. family life, and yet
only just now you did all In your power
to irritate the HOfmarschall.
She never called the old man uncle.
You are too hard on me- dear Ju-
liane," he said. laughing. and rising from
his seat. THE program need not be ad-
hered TO so very strictly as long as re-
main here. and have the reins In my own
hands to guide as I will. Why, l should
die OF ennui IL I carried IL out to the let
ter. All j want is peace while am away"
he continued, beginning to walk up and
.1sxt flar hAn hat a
mass OF complaining letters would come
I'm from all sides MY first wife. Valerie.
was an adept In that kind OF thing. In
the darkest corner OF my writing table
there is a whole bundle OF such messen-
gers-of love. 7 bound them all together
most tenderly with n bit OF rose-colored
ribbon, but I have never touched them
since, for fear the spirit ot discord and
strong will and childish temper which
imbued them somehow or other, should
creep forth again. Then. too. she had her
confessor, the priest, our chaplain here,
70 direct and counsel every emotion OF
her heart; so She always had the best of
it,"
For moment malicious smile lighted
up his face. but vanished quickly as II
came. as after awhile he resumed: Then.
too, I am ra ther proud OF the way treat
my worthy uncle. I feel much Of
hero as a child who refrains from touch
ing a cake within his reach. Now. have
you ever seen me in a passion with him.
Ask any OF our neighbors about me- and
your hair would stand on end at the
stories they would tell you OF my ungov-
ernable temper. But here I conquer my
self, perhaps for the sake OF indulging
now and then i'm the delight OF pure self
admiration"
The young wife suddenly raised her
eyes and met his looking earnestly at her.
But there was no warmth. no passion, no
lighting up or the expression as each met
the others glance. which tells so forcibly
OF sympathy between man and woman.
Lame dropped hers. and thought 10 her
self that through woman's weakness and
caresses, there was nothing a man cared
for so much as the display Of his own
power and Will: and he shrugged his
shoulders, took up his hat. and contempt
uously came 20 the conclusion that the
sad gray eyes cared for nothing beyond
counting stitches. and only listened to his
talking as an accompa paniment TO the red
silk she was embroidering into the muslin
In her hands.
I'm going" he said. after watching
the boys at play on the veranda for a mo-
ment or two. Take care. Juiane: it's
getting dark. and our brave servants
swear by their lives and souls that Uncle
Gisberts spirit haunts that bow-window
where you are sitting You know he
made them carry him In here when the
death agony was on him. hut why do
tell il 10 you At all? Such sinless souly |
as yours need not trouble about such
things"
"Other spirits have power over us only
according to the way We fear or love
them she replied. simply. not noticing
tho irony % his tone. II don't fear your
uncle Gisberts shade one bit. but I /
should Ike TO know why he wished /
specially to die here"
THAT 7 can tell YOU. He wanted TO /
have last look az the Vale OF Cash
mere. said Rsoul. gravely drawing near
to tho window. and standing close TO his /
wife as he pointed over the garden. /
Down there, under the obeiisk. he
wished 90 be buried"
'Where?'
Cant you sec the monumental iittle !
to the ioft-there.
And putting his hands on her head. he !
turned her face toward the \
side. But what wonderfully thick hair
you have Juliane," " he said. as his fingers I