The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-13
The
Second Wife
VOLUME IL.
CHAPTER III.


The Hofmarschall remained in his own
room the rest OF the day, had his dinner
there. and did not inquire for his grand
child. But TO the utter astonishment OF
the servants the young baron dined with
his wife and son and the new tutor In
Lanes private apartments.
I'm the course or the morning. too. he
had sent for physician from town. and
had been with him 10 tho Indlen House
20 soc the poor dying lady lie had given
orders-and stood by while IL was done
that the open space IN the roof should be
lightly and nofselessly covered over that
the heat OF the suns rays might not pen
citrate inside. and az the least noise seem
cd 10 disturb the soul about 10 leave the
poor frail tenement OF the f.otus-fower
he had the monkeys and animals. which
generally roamsd freely about the Vale
of Cashmere. shut up I'm their huts and
houses. and with his own hand he closed
the pipe OF the rushing pouring water
IN the large basin near the house
All this mystihed the servants extreme
~. They could not understand why the
poor sick lady. who for years had been
treated as mere pensioner on sufferance
by the master OF the castle should now
suddenly be paid 30 much honor; and "a
Raoul came back from tho Indian gar
den, with HIS face pale and grave. the
footmen crept about on up-toe. and the
whisting and singing in the stables and
coachhouses were stopped. Just AZ n the
mistress OF the castle herself was the one
about to die. and not the poor, slighted
JIindoo Of the Indian House
Hanna, Lanes maid, went about with
red, swollen eyes Her mistress had sent
her down 20 the Indian House with cup
OF rich good beef-tea for Frau Lohn
1t was tho first time the girl had passed
through the palings or been near the
sick lady. and after staying few mo-
ments in the room. watching with swed
ana solemn countenanoe. the peaceful
tranquil face OF the dying woman. she
retired. and going slowly back 10 the
kitchen, burst into flood OF tears. and
declared that those who had hitherto
treated that lovely angel" with con-
tempt and disdain must be "vandals and
savages," for required only 10 look
on her face TO see that she must be "at !
least the daughter OF a duke.
Even Raoul had experienced something |
OF the same kind OF sensation as he |
crossed the threshold or the Lotus
flowers room for the first time The /
face which years ago. as hot-headed |
youngster, he had had burning longing |
to behold but which, later on he /
Stunned as IL Il had been marked with /
the brand OF Cain. lay there still and \
pale on the pillows as he noiseessly en-
tered. and with a light step went up To I
the side OF the bed. And as ne gazed Z
on her wondrous beauty. he thought OF 4
her. not as the maligned spouse OF his
uncle Gisbert. nor as Gabriers mother.
hnt rather as some innocent. dying child
or fair little rosebud which had been un-
waited by n soft wind from
the heavenly garden 10 die on earth.
The half hour he spent silently watch
Ing by the side Of this dying woman was
one OF deep and bitter repentance for his
own share I'm the transa ctions of the past
mingled with intense shame and humiiia-
tion that the honor and highly priced
OF his family had been duped
Into -SecomIng the mere tool OF priest
Iie reproached himself bitterly for having
blindly trusted to his uncle In matter
that he ought Co have sifted TO the bot
tom. instead OF allowing his natural In
iolence OF disposition TO sway his iudg-
nent; and this man, who had hitherto
been thoughtless and unconcerned in all
hat related to the welfare OF others
acknowledged TO himself with shame that
although he had not willingly and know
ngly committed q great wrong toward
his poor Lotus-hower, yet that only
'ew short months. nay. even weeks ngo
ne would have put aside. or preferred not
entering upon that disa Rreea bio subject
Z any one had raised doubt as TO the
'ight or wrong OF his actions toward her
His earnest. truthful wife had opened his
yes 10 his own faults. and gently and
enderly. but firmly. had pointed out 10
Tim the evil ot indulginr I'm selfish IN
lolence. but now. thank God he would
,ut all that for behind and henceforth |
make good. ss far as lay in HIS power
hs evil he had unconsciously committed
-he beautiful closed eyes. with their
ieavily fringed lids. ala not see how the