The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-10
The
Second Wife
VOLUME III.
CHAPTER II.

what was the meaning OF this? Raoul
gazed at his uncle In speechless, wonder.
quite at loss to undery~and the -Esason
for his excited state and gestures and the
fsverish, wild look I'm his eyes. Could
this he the same man whom. short
while ago. he had described TO his wife
as "miserly. certainly. and naughty as
the devil. with certain small weaknesses.
but with nature so cold. and mind so
full Of prudence and foresight. that no
forbidden passion had ever been able
10 assail or tempt him"
While his nephew stood thus wondering
and not knowing what 10 say. the Hof-
marechall rose from his chair and with
quick but tottering steps crept across
the room 10 the window. He passed close
10 Mrs. Lohn. almost touched her, on hts
road, quite unconscious that he thus
stood within n few inches OF his secret.
but bitterest enemy. lie did not look
at her. but gazed straight before him
and did not see that this hard waiting
womans face was capable OF sufficient
sense 10 at least dodge the heels OF the
high born man, and patiently await till
circumstances elucidated his dark secret
which she held in her keeping.
The cool morning wind came through
fully arranged hair in disorder on his
forehead; but although usually he
shivered at the slightest keen breath OF
air. he did not seem TO notice or feel
the cold wind now.
'I don't understand you at ALL Raoul."
ne said at last. from his stand by the
window. struggling against his angry
feelings. do you mean to insult my
brother In his grave?'
n tve n IA
the Indian girl to his heart and give her
a love that was beyond the conception OF
ordinary people; so 7"
The Hofmarschal laughed slond, inter-
rupting his nephew, but Raoul looked
frowningly at him and obliged him 10 con-
tain his ridicule within bounds.
'Un~le," he cried. IT was only once n
visitor at schonwerth during my uncle
Glsbert's time, but I know that the ac-
counts that heard from the servants
and dependents on the estate, OF his devo-
tlon TO that stranger. made my heart
beat. The man who could watch over the
one he loved with the tender anxiety that
he always"
Raoul hesitated, for the flame that dart
ed from the old mans eyes--usually so
cold and unimpression able-made the
words die away on his lips though ne had
no idea that ne was stirring the ashes of
q miserable episode I'm his uncle's past
Lotus-nower lay dying on her bed. her
eyes staring at nothing and the husband
whose tender care and love would have
removed every hard pebble from under the
soles OF the exquisite little feet was sleep
ing under the obelisk In the garden; and
yet such was the bitter hatred OF the old
man standing by the window. that he
could not even now forgive his dead
brother for being the only human being
whom the poor unbaptised Hindoo girl
had worsniped and passionately loved in
her bright, young life.
THE tender anxiety you speak OF was
fortunately of not long duration" he said.
after awhile. hoarsely. "Gisbert came to
his senses at last, and acknowledged the
lovely Lotus-fower 10 be an-unworthy
person"
But have no valid proof OF that, un-
Gle. l."
Just as the wind dashed against the
window-panes yesterday in It's fury so
now she Hofmarschall suddenly left the
place where he was standing, and stood
in front OF his nephew
valid proofs. Raoul7 You have not got
them. you say?" he almost screamed in
his anger. You know they are lying in
the rocco cabinet. in the white drawing
room, in the same cabinet that was de-
spoiled of some Of its treasures. Surely
] need hardly remind you that only yes
terday you held In your own hands your
uncle Gisbert's last written and expressed
wishes and examined them. too"
rs that document the only written pa
per you depend on as valid proof, uncle?''
demanded Raoul. curtly and quickly. His
uncle's impairment reference to Lame
had made the blood flow hot and angrily
to his brow.
'Of course It Il: but, Raoul, what are
you driving at? What else could be more
valid than the last written wishes OF
dying mani"
Did you soc II written, uncle?'
mo: certainly that did not. for was
I'll at the time myself. But / can bring
ness and identity, who will assure you
that ne saw every letter and stroke writ
ten by my brother a few hours ere his
death It's n pity. however. that he Is
not here now; he left the castle about an
hourago for the town. on have lately
behaved so very strangely 70 my friend.
the court chaplain. that"
But Raoul interrupted him.
my dear uncle. a witness OF that re-
fined type I cast aside and repudiate be-
fore the might OF the law. At the same
time. too, / mean TO declare the power
OF that document null and void. and ut
terly without weight. Oh! / am quite
willing 10 believe that the amiable chap
lain II ready 20 swear-Swear even by
his souls salvation-that he dipped the
dying mans pen In the Ink for him. Why
should he not7 A Jesuit priest has al
ways some small side-door by which he
can smuggle himself into heaven, IL he
forfeits his right TO enter by the grand
entrance OF the blessed.
IT accuse myself of having acted as
no man OF sense ought 10 have acted 4
was not present when my uncle died. and
as co-heir 20 his immense property.
ought 10 have been doubly cautious, and
not have sanctioned the carrying out OF
wishes that were merely written down
on a bit OF paper. and not legally Wit
messed. In a case OF that kind one ought
90 have adhered TO the clear course of
the law OF Inheritance.
"Verv well. mon cher; be ~ So nodded
the old Hofmarschall who had grown
strangely quiet. He planted his Stuck
firmly on the ground. clasped one hand
over the other on the knob, and lean
ing his chin on the back of his wrist
fixed his cold glttering eyes on the HAND.
soms face OF his nephew But now, 4
you please, point out 10 me the law which
protects or gives any rights TO the wom-
an in the Indian House. She is as Tree
from the law as the birds OF the air, Tor