The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-04-27
The
Second Wife
VOLUME III.
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Lame etood quite still as the old gentle
man entered, and turned her pale face 20
ward him; but the priest dld not NOV,
from his position by the stove. holdin,
his white. weli-formed hands 20 tn,
flames, a. II he were cold and wished "a
warm himself
The Hofmarschsll hobbied inside. quite
forgetting. In his astonishm.nt at tn.
appearance OF the room and its occu.
pants, 10 shut the door behind him
All YOU here already. madsme!" he
said, knocking his stick on thu floor
surely you have not remained s1I this
long time In this haif-iighted room--you
who, according to your usual old lash
Toned habits. never waste a second in
idleness."
Then suddenly. as n forei,odIng some
thing wrong. he turned his head toward
open lid. hanging so wide open that ID
looked as II each moment 1t must fall
To the ground.
long. deep-drawn An" ESCAPED the
lips OF the poor old Hofma rschaIl
What. my fair lady. nave yeu BEEN
rummaging7" he asked. after moment
with sneerins smile. Then. shaking
his small. fine head thoughtfully, he add
ed: impossible. what am saying:
Those lovely hands, those aristocratic
hands belonging 10 a lady who has the
honor of calling herself granddaughter
to the Princess vpn Thurgan. such high
born hands ] repeat would never con-
descend to medaie with the property of
other people. ri done. Pardon me, my
noble lady; | was only Joking"
He managed te limp over 20 the writ
ing-tsble, and supporting himself on his
stick With one hand. with the other' he
carefully examined the papers i'm the
drawer Lane clasped her arms I'm de-
spair across her bosom. she knew that
terrible scene would soon follow The
tall, black-rcbed priest still stood by the
fire-stove. warming his hands and peer
ing into the flames. as II he had not heard
word of what was passing behind his
back; he was thinking OF his plan OF
campaign.
The Hofmarschali dragged himself
round and showed his face. as white as
snow, as he said with a forced smile:
you are also having your little joke.
my dear madame, and are wanting to
play me a practical trick; only fair. I
dare say, as ! was somewhat indiscreet
this afternoon when the duchess was
here. but in future will be more srnis-
ble--I promise you ! willard now please.
please give me back my delicious little
note: YOU know how | prize 1t with my
hearts blood. What! you deny having
II? | think i could swear that I see my
dear, rose-tinted little letter peeping out
~ your pocket No, Then I ask where
s the Countess Trachenberg's letter.
he suddenly added changing hts tone 20
his ue.sstf hard, angry powl.-and- -fc<s !
forgetting himself in his fury az 10 raise
mis- stick In a threatening attitude.
ASK rhe court chaplain. answered the
coung wife. with cheeks as pals an death.
"The court chaplain My dear. IL the I
Countess Trschenberg his mother? HIM, 7
much more likely ne was a witness 10 /
your bold cornscatior ~ my property. I
md YOU arc plsased TO appeal 10 his \
,nightly aid and Christian midness. but /
hat won't help you In the least. madame. /
choose 10 hear from your own lips
where that letter IA.
Lianc pointed 10 the nre.
1T is burned she said. In drm but
carcely audible voice
AZ she spcke, the priest turned his
fuobied haif-frantfc g1sacS AZ the
sri. who had not dreamed OF
enylns the truth, a. the Hofmar.
chall. with . loud groan OF rars and
,irv. sunk into the nearest chair. for
Is weak legs refused to hold him up any
onser
And you were . witness. vsnerable
ir? You quietly jet her commit such an
nfamy7" ne hissed FROM between his
seth.
II can not snewer you AZ you wish
Ist now. Herr Hofmsrschsli you must
row calmer nrst But let me assure
ou that the thing IL not as you
ma gine." replied the priest unhe-itstine-
:. as he left his place by the stove. and
18th somewhat uncertain steps drew
carer
THAT was all that was wanting. for
on also TO avoid a direct answer. Can
nat heretic girl there with the red hair
'ske every man do her will and becope
.bellious7 II II long since believed In
seul-" but suddenly stopped and
Il his lip: those last words had been
itered without premeditstion, and were
ors than he mant 10 say: but their
feet on the priest was AZ N he had re-
'ived a blow on his cheek He dsrted
, angry. startled look a. fdsne ~ be
Iickly raised his hand. and seemed In
ined 10 sv ~ on the innprudent mouth
ths furioss old gentleman
II 40 not understand you, Herr Hof-
srechAli" he said. marking ssrh ~ofs
"a speaking In 'heeienins. ~srnins