The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-15
The
Second Wife
CHAPTER III.

on the left bank OF large spreading
laks stood little fishing village. com
posed OF few struggling cottages. so
lowJy built that the straw roofs were
NJ higher than the lowest branches OF
the forest OF linden trees, which hat
buried the little hamlet under It's wide
Ieafv foliage. But we mus not expect
10 sec robust. strong figures OF fishermen
moving about for there were none ana
but for the beautiful park through which
a elimpss OF a large town was visible
one might be tempted TO dream OF pure
cot ntry life and peace in this spot I'LL
one OF the doors opened and showed
peep Of IT'S costly interior.
Perhaps N the German prince had
known that the exquisite Petit Trianon
would have eventually cost the Queen
OF France her head. he would not have
built this little village but ne was no
prophet. and so for nearly hundred
years this charming imitation OF the
French Trianon had stood a perfectly
simple dyl from without. but inside re-
plete with every luxury money could buy.
As the foot left the pebby shore Of the
lake. Il stepped at once on thick. costly
ttli itIf Iitn SIN anu uhUldHh N'N~
ered the furniture and walls. which latter
were partly hidden behind massive gilded
mirrors. Even outside, this luxury CO.
quetted with the poor and simple appear
ance OF the cottages. for no one could
ca rare and dainty fruits on white deal
tables. nor rest from some amusing game
on a hard wooden bank or chair.
Nearby was the palace Of the reignng
family. and Il was "A time -honored custom
for the heir to the aucal throne on his
eighth birthday 20 plant fresh young
en-tree, in the grove, which had now
become an historical wonder, and for
generations had been called the royal
lindens."
II was the month OF May. and today
the young hereditary Prince Frederick
was 90 perform the ceremony. as his
forefathers had done before him. and
place young plant I'm the ground with
his own hands. and thus add one more
10 the number OF those far-famed lin
dens
OF ccu,se II was n grand affair. and
all N, children OF the mobiles in the
neighbour God had been invited 10 attend
the ceremony and watch how n little
prince Of eight years OF age could handle
a spade
~ @ capital town was far too loyal not
TO turn out I'm "A body 10 witness this
time honored act. and by their presence
10 honor 20 their prince and sovereign.
1hc forest was crowded with young and
old every available spot from whence
the ceremony could he seen was occupied.
and all the pathways were filled TO over
flowing. while the aid resounded with the
laughter OF childhood and the hum Of
many voices.
This special day there was n larger
crowd than usual: for II was the first
time since the death OF her husband the
sovereign Of the land. that the young
duchess was TO lay aside her deep mourn
ing and appear again in public.
There she stands very close 10 the spot
where the little tree had been planted
by her son, the hereditary prince. Not for
moment would any one doubt that she
Is the highest born lady present.
She Is dressed In pure white, her only
ornament a beautiful wild rose fastened
at her waist. on her head she has no
hat; but the red silk lining Of her open
parasol throws n rosy tint over face
many call beautiful. with it's fine. straight
nose and well-turned. short. but
rather colorless upper lip. Her features
are not quite regular. and the thick.
lustrous black hair, and slight shadows
under the eyes. contrasted with the beau
tifully clear but pale complexion. made
one involuntarly think OF a Spanish Gre
ole although II is known she has not n
ming in her veins.
There she stands, watching the upward
flight Of a heron. with as much earnest
ness as the children, who break out into
glad yell OF delight as the bird disap
pears in the air.
"Why don't you hurrah. Gabriel?" an
grily inquired n little fellow Of bigger
one near him. whose simple white linen
suit seemed rather out OF place among
the more elegantly dressed company.
The big boy did not reply. instead,
he cast his eyes downward. and looked
at the grass.
This was more than the little one could
bear and he continued cxcitedly
Are YOU not ashamed OF yourself you
stupid? Shout hurrah this minute! We
Will cheer. too" commanded the little
fellow imperiously
The boy In the white linen suit turned
his face sadly away. and did not answer
and was about TO leave his place. when
the little one suddenly raised a switch
in his hand. and struck him across tho
cheek.
At this unexpected scene the other chill
dren rushed off Even the young hered-
itary prince and his brother left him. not
knowing what TO say. and for a few
moments the passionate. angry child stood
quite alone, a handsome. lovely boy, rich
~ clad in a dark-green velvet suit-a pic