The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-24
The
Second Wife
VOLUME II.
CHAPTER III.

the hrst drawn IN at the foot OF tho
broad stems. sat her highness the duchess
and her two sons; the second contained
| the lady-in-waiting and tho young
princes tutor. The duchess was still
seated in the carriage, and had just
given her hand 10 the Hofmarschall con-
graduating him on his recovery from his
late NJ OF the gout, when Mainau de-
scended the steps. leading his young wife
on his arm A glowing look lighted up
the dark eyes OF his high-born guest ne
sent a quick. questioning glance toward
! her lady OF honor, who was Respectfully
standing near =, her sasn tSs 'e auchess n
ished speaking to the Hofmarschall, ana.
assisted by the priest alighted from her
who would have thought that the
gray. shrinking. nun-like figure whom tne
duchess had glanced at for one moment
naughty. beautiful mistress OF Schon..
costly lace. was advancing to welcomes
| or who would have believed that the
heavy. shimmering red hair, which ilan
on that occasion covered her snouauGrs gn1ds
tinted mass OF pleits which shone on her
head now like q glory7 :.
( Tho two ladies stood side by side. It was
said by those about her court that 30
duchess In laying aside the mourning and
appearing I'm fresh-colored toilet. wish
ed to renew her youth. and appear AS
young and as handsome as ever. Ano
so II was today. She was dressed In
rose-tinted silk dress. which became her
dark hair and colorless complexion; her
very beautiful shoulders and arms were
covered with white. clear. fine lace and
round her straw hat q simple wreath OF
| apple blossom was twisted.
A shade crept over the face or this
princely lady as she met the proud, u1-
embarrassed expression OF the dark-gray
eyes. and saw the young. fresh counte-
nance, which looked so fair and giriish In
the broad light or day, but one side-glance
at Baron Mainau restored the smile 10
her lips and the brightness 70 her eyes
Rumor was right he did not care for
his young wife. or he could not stand 40
Indifferent and statue-like, and present
her with only a few short ceremonious
words. while Lame bowed and handed the
bouquet to her guest. IL was graciousiy
accepted and most likely a few or those
amiable phrases would have been uttered
which are apt TO sink deep into the heart
OF a subject when addressed for the hrst
time by the lips OF a sovereign, had not
the glance of the duchess suddenly failen
on the Hofrnarschall, who was pale as
death. and seemed as II about 10 fal'
'T have overtaxed my strength, ne
murrnured. "and 7 am afraid ! must beg
your highness 10 allow me TO SIT in my
usual chair"
The duchess signifed her consent. and
the chair was Immediately brought. into
which the invalid sunk-a bitter moment
for the man who had always priced h'm-
self on his punctilous etiquette and strict
adherence to the forms and ceremonies or
the court Slowly the heavy vehicle was
rolled over the gravel into the park. while
the beautiful royal guest. In her rose
colored dress. walked on in front leaning
on the arm OF Baron Mainau. Never had
she appeared SO happy and lisht-hearted
as now she talked and laughed In uncon-
strained friendliness, and seemed to have
quite forgotten the silent man In the
chair whose brilliant conversational pow
ers had at one time greatly attached MIN
to the proud, reserved beauty. the httIe
princes. too. had always gathered round
him, and claimed him a partner In
their games: but now they seemed 10
think II quite natural that he was old
and Ill and did not speak. and was drawn
about In an armchair on wheels. X was
very bitter for the accomplished courtier
TO be thus neglected and condemned TO
living death when his life hitherto had
been such a brilliant career
And from one 10 the other the red
headed Trachenberg' moved about go dig
nifed ard self-possessed that even the old
courtier was Obliged to acknowledge TO
himself. against his will, that this dover
lees girls bearing was much more noble
and graceful than that OF her royal
guests. against whom he felt resentfiS
and angry.
Excuse me- young lady" he cried, In
n shrill voice. glad TO have some one TO
And fault with as Lame stopped 10 pluck
a tiny Carthusian pink growing In the
gress at her feet. excuse me, but today
you had better not gather ORCHIDS and
kA Gfa n
ket"
RapuI's face flushed a dark angry red
as these words fell on his ear. and he
turned 20 give his uncle a sharp reprimand
for his willful indiscretion. when the calm
quiet manners Of his wife, as she placed
the little bud In her waistband. silently
ignoring the taunting remark, made him
hesitate and, Struggling his shoulder.
he. too. thought Il wisest to be silent; so
he said nothing. but, returning 10 the side
OF the duchess. continued the attentions
which his royal guest seemed only too
pleased 10 accept.
That part OF the park where the rich.
ripe fruit was waiting to be plucked lay
near the tropical garden. under the shad-
ow OF the mountain whose sheltering sides
kept the exotic plants in perfect health
Here the concentrated rays OF the sun
compelled tho banana-trees TO stretch
forth their branches, ripened the most
delicious peaches, and caused grapes and
other climbing fruit to hang In most
entictng clusters from palngs and cor
dons and every other support with which
the place abounded. This little nook.
which was intended more to please the
which was a cool, graveiy restins-placs,
through a broad pathway. at the end Of
which was a cool. gravsley resting-raace
overshedowed by a group OF raple-uees.
From this spot could be seen the gable
end OF the so-oailed gamekeeper's cot
tase. a small pretty brick building. with
shining windows. and the usual large
antlsrs ornamenting the roof. II was
looked upon ~ q halfway stage between
the castle and the forester's house, which
lay in the forest a good couple OF miles
further on.
one OF the huntsmen In charge OF tho
hunting dogs occupied this little house
at the present moment. and on grand oc-
casions this man always wore his best
livery. and appeared among the visitors
as Baron Mainaus gamekecper. He also
had charge OF the guns.