The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-05
The
Second Wife
VOIrME f II.
CHAPTER /.


II was only a whisper trembling
sound that seemed TO Issue from her beat
ing heart; yet IL was enough TO work
wonderful effect on the strong man
before her. For a moment he gazed at
her in speechless astonishment; then. as
~ the weight of his terrible anxiety had
been suddenly snatched from his shoul-
ders, he took the trembling form Of hts
wife in his arms and unfastening the
black mantle from her throat. he flung
It far away. and kissing his wife with a
long. fervent pressure, he whispered
earnestly:
THAT is our betrothsl kiss. Juliane,
and henceforth will love you deeply and
tenderly. Make OF me now just what you
will. Lou shall have time and
opportunity TO prove II YOU can learn
10 love me as have learned 20 love YOU;
for now yea only feel for me the womanly
tenderness born OF mercy and forgive
ness"
NO no-more than that
He pressed her close TO his breast. as
he said
who would have thought. of those
who knew me six months ago. that a
woman could have so much power over
me. God be thanked 7 am still young
enough 10 turn into new and fresh paths.
and live 10 he happy. And now, my dar-
ling. that hold you in my arms, and
YOU don't repulse me with proud looks
and cold gestures that your proud
head rests confdingly on my oreast-now
NOW you are indeed my wife-my loved
one-my Lisnel''
He led her under the portal into the
blue boudoir.
Good heavens, what magical
change" he cried, as he glanced round
the room and then looked fondly at the
sweet face of his young wife.
Can this really he the same boudoir
alysvs hated for It's eternal scent OF
Jasmine and its constant aspect of lazy
self -indulgence7''
The young wife's heart beat rapidly
and the color dyed her cheek. as she re-
Piled. In a subdued tone:
"The change must be in your ewes.
Rsoul'
On the table stood a lamp, It's bright
ligh-subdued by a tinted-ganze- cover,
which threw rosy shade over the satin
The room in former times had been far
more brilliantly lighted. often even ap-
pearing with its number of dazzling
lamps and candles. like fairy palace;
and now there stood on the table only
one single lamp, with n rosy tinted shade
subduing its glare. and costing softened.
pleasant hues on the satin covering OF
the furniture, and yet her husband praised
the charming appearance Of the room
and seemed TO imagine that II had be
come more bright and cheerful. simply
because, as the young wife said to her
self. the dawn OF new happiness had Ell
tered his soul
In silent. speechless Joy she went over
TO the window niche. and buried her head
for a moment among the scented azal@s
plants for II had seemed 10 her N
these blossoms. that she had tended with
inflnite and unvesryins care during her
troubles and loneliness had suddenly sent
forth tremulous whisper Of sympathy
for her new found happiness, inasmuch
as they had been silent witnesses to tho
reconcilia ton between her and her hus
band which had just taken place: nay.
they knew more than he did for a. yet
he knew not that he too was loved.
And now. Lame. for one last question
about the past" said her husband. draw
ing her unresisting form toward him, and
holding her hands tight in his You
know now why / was so hard and unfeel-
ing toward you upstairs this evening
why did you 80 much injustice: but you
know. too. that never for one second |
deemed YOU capable Of even dishonora-
BILE thought-shoud he. here now N ]
had? The poisoned breath OF that hated |
priest would not dare come near you