The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-17

mouth before Leo, VINO had caubHt Sibh'
OF the fresh arrivals walking toward the
group OF merrymakers scampered up
ana noisily and affectionately welcomed
his father. BaronxAIainau stopped his tan
head and caresed his little son for a me
ment. then taking him by the hand. he
walked on TO tho "AIaicnfest.' as the
spot was called where the party were as
sembled -
The duchess had Just risen from her
seat as the gentlemen appeared In slght'
and was slowly vending her way IN theh
direction followed by several or the Ia
dies and gentlemen Of her court
Sho had also the easy gait ana inllnlta-
bly, graceful movement OF the creole anu
the white flowing drapery she had put on
today. I'm contrast 20 the widows heavy
mourning she had been wearing for eigh-
teen months, enhanced her beauty ana
transformed her appearance as strikinglN
and completely as the change or tne
chrysalis into light, airy butterfly BE
sides. her season OF mourning was over,
every claim and outward form OF respect
to her late husband had been duly recog-
nzed and adhered 10, and now, at last,
happiness might come 20 her and the sor-
rows OF her past could be shut away Tor
ever. and JOY such as she felt az this mo-
ment surely be hers henceforth through
| life.
Her voice was little tremulous as she
said softly. when the gentlemen were
close to her:
you startled me Baron Mainau. just
now, by that brave act OF yours. and
| besides, you come rather late
He held his hat i'm his right hand. and
| bowed low at her kindly words. still keep
ing fast hold OF his little sons hand as he
| answered:
81 would say with my friend, Rudiger
that am very unhappy; but your high
| ness will not believe II, when l nave eA-
planned why l come 40 late
The duchess raised her(eyes and looked
uuestioningly at the face before her. IL
was perhaps "A trifle paler than usual, but
the glance which met hers made II quail.
IL seemed so full of repressed triumph ana
| quiet assurance. Unwittingly she laid her
| hand on her heart. and the little white
rose. snapped from of its fastening, tel
to the ground. unnoticed, at the feet OF
the handsome man.
| He waited, bare-headed. for her 10
speak with the sun shining full on his
| curly hair and on the face whose every
look the ladies worshipped; but the royal
lady was silent and apparently too aiX-
ious to hear what was TO follow TO speak.
AS she did not answer. respectfully IN
clning his head. he continued, after a mo-
! ment
II was I'm Rudisdorf. at my aunt Ira
chenberg's and allow me TO inform your
| highness that l have engaged myself TO
her daughter, Juliane, Countess or ira
| chenberg.'
! Those standing around were struck
dumb at this bold announcement. Who
would dare break the silence which fol-
lowed by so much as a breath or a glance
at the young duchess. who was trying
10 press her deathly pale lips together?
At last her niece the young Princess
Helene. laughed carelesSly ana merrlIy'
'NYhat an idea Baron Mainau. TO have
| "A wife whose name Is Juliane !-Juliane.
Bah! A great grandmother in her spec
lie laughed with her and then the
duchess also smiled with her ashy-pasie
lips. and said few words, OF congratuee
lation. with the dignity and calmness OIL
a sovereign who is Interested I'm the nap
piness Of one OF her subjects. n hnen
turning to sroup OF glris, nd two or on '"be her
head. she said quietly:
II am sorry young ladies, TO lay ASIDE
the tasteful ornament YOU made me- Ioui Iii
the crown presses my forehead. viii
retire for awhile 10 remove the noWeTs'
We will meet at dinner. -
And waving back by her hand the IA
dies who would have followed her, shs
entered one OF the little houses ana
closed the door behind her ,,
IilV white her face was at all times,
and often her beautiful eyes darted those
fiery glauccs which made one think oi lnSS
passionate nature OF the south. Sle hau
even just now smiled ana NODDED, hn1
retired like "a fairy. from the gaze ot
those around hef. =, =
But now she was alone-alono lor o.,a naii
an hour. No one could see how she nuhg
herself down In Wild agony, ana ior a
brief moment gave way 10 the lhtehS,,s
! of a passion as strong ana ungoVerhaple
as the waves of raging sea. 10 u,,S
could see her tear the dropping noWet7
. from her hair, and clinch her slender M M
. gers I'm the Silkcn curtain III the mans
mot In ba nal IN a.
| All yes! For one dCspairiug momeh';
the deep agony OF her crushed tulneu
hopes must have its swnS-the bltterhtss
, OF disappointment must be Soppeu ou,
, then--thcu she will gather herself up'
force her lips 10 smile, moe away nSr ~. ~,
guish in the depth OF her proud hear'
! and sgo forth with serene face 10 meet
outside the men and women, whom Shc
will compel 90 believe that INC nolili,s
blood now surging within her ilows as
calmly and undisturbed as ~ dld beloIt
the cruel. unexpected announcement maue
when the duchess disappeared to lay
aside her floral crown, Baroh Mllhag v
stin holding his little boy by the hanui
himself by watching the games going Oh
Here and there one and another OF the
iordy e2mpang nI wgSrSs 5sf of e9ansratuiaton. 9 Lut
no one stayed by him longer thah was
| necessary. ,,,i,,.
and going close 10 his side. Whispered
as IL he had not yet recovered the shocf
! the whole court had received: .
what "A revenge. And such pubn'
e one. too! why. my dear fellow, | coul,
say with Marguerite. Heinrich you hlaN, h>
me shivcr' Coo bless me! Did ever
q any one see another. for the sax" oi M
Il, wounded pride siay hls victim IN such
( refined. cruel aud unforgiying way az yo!
Z have doncf YOU are rash-toolhafcy-
''Becnuse I didn't iu formal MANN.
= al "A proper time declare Now VIII not
a DO YOU believe that I would marry ne
now2' e-,..., . .,,,,,.
y The little man gave his friend slahV
/ OF horrlned establishment HoW Nas
that this Mainau. usually 50 Ienhen ~, al,
u perfect Ia manner c9ula ns 'n"S ""'
u, even. one might say brutal
u "Mv one comfort is." ne said. Somewha
q rcproachfully.' that YOU VIII suner =
much yourself for thus giving way
= your ungovernable pride.
II suppose YOU VIII ALLOW mat OF Una
"a am my own Judge?
ii "Of course by Jove. of course. But
+, but now-what uext?"
what nextg' and Mainau eughe'
y "why. the wedding Rudiger!''