The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-18
The
Second Wife
VOLUME IT.
CHAPTER II

VOLUME n.
CHAPTER II
n was lust three o'clock in the after
noon when Lame entered the drawing
room. She wore a rich, sea-blue SILK
dress trimmed with velvet OF darker
shade. Her hair was beautifully dressed,
and the bright golden simmer ~ the
thick plaIts shone in beautiful contrast
to the dark folds OF her dress. and gave
n charming grace and beauty TO her ap-
pearance. Wide, open, hanging sleeves
showed her dmpled arms TO the elbow
and the body. cut square in the BOSOM
with folds OF lace to her throat. uis-
played the exquisite contour OF hgure
as perfect and as rounded At Hebes
Not even I'm her brocaded bridal robe
he'd the "red-haired Traohenberg'
looked so queenly and dignified as she
did on this occasion.
you are much too soon, my dear
lady" cried the Hofmarschah, who was
sitting by the window I'm his own chair
on wheels. 10 be able 70 bow 10 the
duchess as she passed In her carriage
ere entering the courtyard. He was
conversng with the priest, VINO was
standing near.
AS Lame walked toward him, he fixed
his sharp eyes with frown OF dis
pleasure on the large bouquet the girl
held IN her hand.
Good heavens! what waste OF
flowers. The greenhouses must be striped
bare 10 supply such a bouquet! Raoul
is really a fool TO have so many Of these
exotic flowers. They cost enormous
sums and are OF no use except 10 fade
I'm meddling hands. The hostess. madame.
need not appear as III she were going 10
a ballv' he added, with a sneer.
Lame stood still and let the cross old
man have his say uninterrupted. She
could have told him that his own daugh.
ter had often in a ft OF temper, plucked
Just such a costly bouquet 10 pieces. and
stamped her tiny feet on the broken
flowers: but, instead. she 'quieuy OBJ
served:
MY husband desired me 10 hand these
flowers TO the duchess when she arrives.
"Ah. ha! then beg a thousand par
dons!" He looked at his watch. and add
ed: There is still plenty OF time before
our guests arrive fop me 10 say few
words 10 you on a subject that. although
painful and disagreeable TO me. ] can not
avoid mentioning This morning you sent
a small box 10 Rudsdorf. addressed TO the
Countess Ulrike. your sister. Now You
know that 7 prefer seeing what goes to
the post. and sending II off myself 10 the
town However, be that as II my, your
little racket must have fallen into very
awkward hands whoever IL was you con-
fided IL Go. for IL was returned TO me in
this state" and he took from the side or
his chair a small box with a portion or
the I'D wrenched off.
As he spoke. a deep red flushed tho
checks OF the young wife; but when be
produced the box and handed IT. TO her.
with his withering smile, the color died
Of hor In white
even TO her lips. that one would have
thought the blood had deserted her body.
1nvoluntarily she glanced at the priest,
who slightly bowed gazing al her with an
expression OF admiration and entreaty IN
his eyes, WHICH Immediately brought her ,s
to herself Laying the bouquet on the
table. she stepped nearer
And have something else 10 say,
which ! hardly know how 10 p9r p,iin0 in,o .
his upper lip. and hesitating as II ne
were really pained at being obliged 70
speak out what was on his MIND, whlle wae
| at lis prey. BESIDES, we are quite en-
| famille, my dear lady. and am sure u
| that you have made a slight mistake,
SLOWLY unbuttoning his coat, he took
! from his breast pocket a small )ewei
! This unfortunately slipped out Of the
box as. angry and annoyed at the care
7 leSSneSS OF tue seTNanlS. i SHdASi'u IL e'p
| roughly from the table.
Touching the spring with his fine. half
bent forehnger the lid flow open, ana
exposed n beautiful amethyst. set round
with briliants flashing IT'S red blue light
ON every side. The Jewel was made I'm the
! form OF rose. 20 be worn either as q
brooch or a locket.
You must pardon me ~ mistake" he
went on. holding the ornament toward
her. but i could swesr that this beau
tiful little jewel has often hung on my
daughters throat. 1t Is one of Raoul's
family jewels. Is it not?"
NO" replied Lame. firmly and calmly;
taking the ornament out OF its case ana
defty moving the gold plate az the back.
IL suppose YOU know the crest or the
Prince Won Thurgan? AZ all events, have
the goodness 10 convince Yourself that "
is engraved here on the gold. ] received
this brooch from my grandmother-my
fathers mother-or. rather. l inherited ~.
grandchild of that Princess Won ThurEan
IL incapable OF such an act, or, as you
presume, mistake which
rupted, now really embarrassed. don
say such things. Have | then been so
unfortunate as 70 cause. YOU 10 prn CON, +,
How could I say what 7 did not think ,
I was right I'm what I meant. I said tho
word mistake that meant J believed the
cases had got miNed-for In our fam,ly
there exists a jewel exactly like this
Il know there ls. have RaouIs fam
ily Jewels In my dressing room and soon
I 1
IN the case with tho inventory"
That H.. YOU took possession OF them
az once which I don't blame you FOR
You have n right 10 them. fun right es-
pecially when you send back the remains
of your family grandeur 10 your sister
You required that Jewel no longer but 10
her N would be very welcome
He spoke sneeringly. and with ser
castle smile playing on his thin lips
which made him look hideous. Lame had
a hard struggle with herself 20 keep back
the tears the old mans taunting words
brought 20 her eyes. but she knew that
n he saw this proof OF his power TO
wound her. his triumph would be COM
plete.
Taking the box from the stool on which
! II had been put. fhe laid IL on the writing
table with the costly carving. near which
1 the old man sat.
You are in error she said, looking
I him straight In the face. u hold the
memory ~ your daughter In honor. and
i the jewels that she ornamented herself
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