The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-23
The
Second WIFE
VOLUME III.
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
Pardon" she cried, breathlessly. still
laughing and Jerking out her words
But the idea is TOO absurd You, the
cool ouelist. the noted qus~eler-.par-
don me-the brave soldier-the dreaded
mocker at all feminine virtues -yos 20
be repentsnt before the countess with
the red hair After that. the old story
OF the lion becoming devout al tse sight
OF disused spinning wheel, will be Moth
ing"
He stepped back as she spoke over
come with pain and sorrow that she who
wore the crows on her brow. she who
reigned over all the land while her son
was minor who had life and death
in her power. who by a word could bring
happiness or grief 70 many a oresde-
that she could stand before him snd thus
lay bare 10 his gaze the wound that the
simplest woman among her subjects
would strive with all her wonanly en-
durancA IN keep secret and unknown.
Your hghness. the 'duelist and noted
duarreler does not peed much real cour-
age, he said presently In a grave voice;
1T requires much uore stern Will and
Inward Strength 10 determine TO con-
vince those good friends I'm there that
he who once mocked al feminine Vir-
tue, and was eloquent advocate for
a marriage de convenance, has now no
more earnest wish In his heart than TO
win the love OF bis own wife. l ove
isis reparation 10 the fair Countess Ju-
llspe. as 1t pieases you highnee 10
call my dear wife--to the pure girl who
has an artists nature, and has dared
not only TO think for herself, but 10
do what she thought right had de-
termined she should have this open sc-
Acknowledgement Of her good influence be
fore carried Der away To enjoy the de-
light OF my new found happiness"
The am dropped from the duchess
hand and fei TO her side. held there by
a fine golden chain suspended from her
waist She turned away from Raoul
and buried her head In the blossoms or
a fill-blown orange tree, ana puien
recklessly at the flowers, as IL she BAD
made up her mind that not one OF the
sweet scented blossoms which witnessed
her agony should remain on the plant.
She became very still; not SOUND es-
capped Der lips: only the nervous move
ment OF her hand betokened the strug-
gle that vas going on within.
Raoul watched her silently for avhte'
then a great pity rose up In his heart Tor
her. and he said very earnestly:
"I would give much II could recall The
mast foIlies of my life. feel ashamed
az them. because they were opposed 70
all the laws Of true -heHer-a and nobility
Though would not change my nature
II ! could-I hate those who nate me
and n mere pious disposition would never
Nave had any effect upon me; but IL ]
have INDUCED my revenge too far ] re-
pent do sincerely wish, your hlghness,
that peace and bappiness could reign
where once swore misery and wretched-
ness should he meted out unsparingly.
She turned her head toward him. her
face quite changed in expression from
fva minutes ago.
And pray who told you. Baron Mainau, !
that I was not happy" she asked In |
,old scorntul tone Then suddenly |
ira wing her figure to IT'S full height. and |
speaking AZ II she were addressing those /
Sho had thwarted her will and wish. she 4
added. with flashing eyes and naughty |
gesture:
Happy? OF course I am happy. I can
,et my foot on the neck OF those hate
'or 7 have the power 10 10 so. with
word can shatter the hopes OF those who
lream they are on the road 10 happiness
for I have the power. And to he power
'ul. means TO he happy to a proud,
naughty woman. Remember that, Sir !
Baron. and you will acknowledge that
our amiahle wish is quite out Of place."
She moved away toward the entrance
q the dra wing room, but on the thres-
lold OF the glass-door. ere che left the
yfnter garden, she turned her head back
ver her shoulder. and said. as she
howed the edges OF her cleaning white
eeth. and pointed 10 the opposite door:
Here she comes, looking soft and
vhite like cold, moonlight night.
2eally. Baron Nainau. you are to be
nvied! But let me give you one piece OF
dvice Don't go TO Franconia- It must
eauire temperature such as IL TO be
ound IN Sicily to endure the chill OF
uch a stern amount of virtue and self
onscious womsrliness
While she spoke. Lame was slowly
rosslng the large room on the arm OF
he chamberlain. with whom she had
nst danced the polonaise, and came
oward the winter ga rden but as she
ma her cavalier arrived near the glass |
oor. and noticed the naughty cgure or
he duchess emerging from under the
reen trees OF the conservatory they both
TODD still 10 allow her 60 pass onward
tut such was not her intention. She ,
loved step or two forward and stand ,
lg in front of the young wife. she began,
suppressed but nrm voice
II understand that you are going TO
IN away from VS. my dear Madame de
tainsu. You seem, In very truth, TO
ave succeeded in clasping your soft but
trong arms around both your husband
nd home Hold fast what you have
OF. and take care that II does not slip :
way from your hands al the very mo- ..
'ent that you fancy you have It most |,