The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-26
The
Second Vile
VOLUME III.
CHAPTER III.

who was such an authority In all such
matters And why she had mislaid her
keys, an uualeard-of piece OF negligence.
! Lane had long since found that this
hard, taciturn woman loved the boy with
all the depth Of her strong, reserved ma
ture, though before others she rarely
showed any feeling toward him: and the
cruel words OF the Hofmarschall had just
uttered were wrenching asunder her anx-
| iole motherly heart in sorrow for the
boy, while in every ones eyes but lanes
shs stood there an unfeeling. moroee.
cross woman.
The duchess looked at Gabriel through
her eyeslass, as she said TO the court
chaplain:
SO you think OF making a missionary OF
him?" adding, as she shook her head:
in my opinion, the boy II not bit
fitted for that vocation"
This remark was like an electric shock
20 Lane; for the first time she heard
some one express an opinion contrary 10
the will and wish OF the priest and the
Hofmarschall. and that, too. from the
lips OF one who had II in her power to
alter a human being by simply pronounc-
ing a few words.
The Hofmarschall sat still I'm his place,
Mortified that even roya1 lady had ven
tured to express such an opinion, while
1ilnf SnuQOtTcQ db tIs lllohHhh tiOoHtN
her that supposing she herself were 10
defend the boy now at this propitious mo-
ment what would the result oev she
knew that all who sat around the liable
were more or Less preJudiced against the
lad. or ef least, totally Indifferent as 10
his future Her husband was eying him
now as II he would willingly crush
such worm under his feet; and
eiancing at Gabriel, who was stili
standing there like an accused at
the bar. the young wife summoned up all
her courage and listening TO the prompt
ing OF her womanly heart, said, as she
looked straight at the beautiful duchess'
though her voice trembled slightly
your highness, Gabriel has one decided
vocation, and that Is pelnuhe' ms oush'
10 be an artist"
Each and all gazed wonderingly at the
young baroness as she spoke; IL was the
first time she had voluntarily opened her
nps since she had been In the garden. ana
their surprise kept them silent as she
went on:
without any guide or help whatever,
he has succeeded with his pencil to de-
gree OF perfection that astonishes me.
have seen him draw things for little Leo
which the academy itself would accept as
proof OF his talent The boy has rare
power Of design. and a genuine love or
art which Uniformed and crushed down
as II Is denotes his Unborn genius You
are right. your highness. In saying he Is
not fitted for a missionary. for that re-
auires an inward impulse and spiritual
calling for the Office, which he does not
possess and concentration OF thougnt
which excludes all the ideal; and II would
be cruel to the boy and a terrible loss to
art 10 compel him to become what he has
no inclination for"
The duchess regarded her hostess coldly
az she replied haughtily:
"You have quite misunderstood my re-
mark. Baroness Won Mainau. l referred TO
the physical unfitness OF the boy, TO his
delicate weakly appearance, and not TO
his natural talents. And. as TO his tastes
and inchnations. they must be put asidel
I am really sorry that there exists a wom-
an who I'm her heart does not acknowledge
that every talent and desire ought to
WELD before this holy calling. We leave
IL 70 rebeilious men TO think that their
knowledge, which Is often founded on
false learning can usurp the authority OF
the consecrated; II is very sad that such
Is the case, and IL behooves us women
70 be douhly watchful, TO form phalanx
against this onward spirit, keeping nrm
hold on our faith and never 10 doubt for
one moment, hut always remain true, and
believe everything"
But your highness makes a woman's
task q very easy one. she Is by nature IN
cllned TO believe, and 1t Is so easy for her
10 follow that road, even when IL unfortu-
nately leads to superstition and faith In
the power and might OF Satan"
Stools and chairs were noisily pushed
from the table as Lame ceased speaking
and drew quietly back. Her husband sat
near her, with his arm leaning carelessly
on the cloth, poising coffee-spoon on the
tip Of one OF his fingers. but with his
head 80 turned that from under his drawn
eyebrows ne could watch the sweet,
blushing face whose owner seemed TO
have forgotten every one but the royal
lady 10 whom she was speaking. But as
the last words ieft her ltps, she accident
ally looked round on his side. and the ex
preston which gazed from her eyes as
she met his was as cold and distant rs IL
she did not know him. His cheefs grew
dark red. and iinging the spoon down, he
bit his lips.
What DO you say 20 that Baron
Mainau?' askof the duchess. smiling at
his discomposure, and speaking in a fiat |
tering silvery voice. That concerns you, |
YOU know"
His lips curled sarcasticaliy, as ne re-
piled IN n careless tone:
your highness knows very we'll that |
women who believe I'm witchraft and |
ghosts are very attractive 20 US. A wom- |
an is always charming IN her helplessness
and fear; we clasp her, as we would a |
child, protectingly IN our arms. and then /
comes--love." His eyes clouded. and he
looked searchingly at his wife as ne added |
but a Palas Athene freezes us with her /
breath like the ice-mountain maiden. and /
we are glad TO turn our back on her"
Could that beautiful face. with the /
charming. smiling expression, and the |
look OF triumph beaming In her eyes. be- |
long 90 the woman who glared for a mo- |
ment at the pale bride on her wedding |
day and then madly rode onward like the |
angel OF death7
And your" she said. noddfng 20 the /
priest. who with folded arms sat opposite |
her. apparently I'm deep thought-"and /
YOU" she added. az n anxious 10 gather /
every ones opinion against the young |
wife who dared to be independent I'm /
thought-"have you no weapons against I
Anti-chrfst IN the shape of soft. tender
woman"
your highness viii kindly remember
that such discussions at the coffee ta bic /
are not 90 my liking" answered the court |
chaplain, severely and suffly. In an In
stant assuming the manner OF the dreaded |
confeeSor who had pOyyer over the soui OF |