The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-23
The
Second Wife
CHAPTER V.

But this time the anger he shrunk from
encountering was kept within bounds. and
only exhibited in a whitening, sarcastic
curl OF the mouth. as, turning TO his
young wife. he said shortly. though his
voice shook with suppressed Indignation:
"I am distressed TO a degree Julaine
at this mode Of receiving you. In Rudis-
dorf. flowers were strewn before your
path: but here you enter an unornament-
ed house. beg 10 apologize for my uncle
the late Baroness Mainau was his
daughter"
He gave her no time TO answer Nodding
TO his friend Rudiger, and waving TO the
ofricious house steward TO lead the way,
with a hasty. impatient step he conducted
his wife up the broad staircase, and
through a suite OF elegantly furnished
drawing rooms, glittering with glass and
countless mirrors.
Again and again as they passed along.
Lame caught the reflection OF herself and
the tall handsome man on whose arm she
sighed as she thought OF the wide gulf be-
tween them In spite OF the priestly bless
ing and rite which had Joined them to-
gether as one.
The steward flung the door OF a long
corridor wide open, and bowed low as
they passed In.
The air was hot and close In here;
thick carpet covered the floors, the in
tense heat OF the July sun shone through
curtainless windows, and made the place
so oppressive that Lanes head tufINd
siddy. and she felt sick and faint. AT
the other end OF the corridor huge fire
was burning. and near IL was the open
door OF large salon. This also was thick
ly carpeted. with windows closed. and
every aperture for fresh air carefully fas-
tened over with some wooden materials
and in this close atmosphere, rendered al
most unbearable 10 an outsider by the
fumes OF a burning essence, sat an old
man, the Hofmarschall and high-born
Baron Won Malnau, chilly and trembling
with cold His feet were IN warm slippers
and he had drawn them as near the stove
as he could his whole condition seemed
helpless. though the upper part of his
body had decidedly youthful and ele-
CANT appearance He had on a black
coat and above the snowy neck-cloth rose
a small refined. clever face the habitual
paleness OF which was deepened and rem
dered more sickly looking from the un.
wholesome, overheated atmosphere In
which he lived.
ALLOW me. my dear uncle. TO present
my young wife 10 you, SAID Mainau
nonchalantly. as LANE threw back her
veil and gracefully courtesied TO the elder
man.
The little brown eyes OF the Holman
schall gazed sharply In her face for n mo-
ment or two ere he replied. slowly and de-
liberately. without moving hts glance
from the blushing countenance
you know very well. my dear Raoul
that it Is impossible for me 10 acknowl-
edge the young lady as your wife until
'our church has solemnized the ceremony
"Ry no means uncleV' replied Mainau
IL had no idea until this moment that
your bigotry had arrived az such an ex.
ceedingly fine point; otherwise I Should
most certainly have not failed to respect
It,"
'Ta-tai don't get angry Such things
are matters OF religion. and better not dis.
cussed" answered the Hofmarschall. con-
ciliatingly: and IL was easy 20 see that the
sIckly man with the refined face was
slightly nervous At the heightened tone OF
his nephew.
For the nonce 7 will call you Countess
Trachenberg-s grand old name he add
ed. turning 90 Lame. and holding out his
hand TO her.