The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-11
CHAPTER |.

"Liane look here Raouls wedding
present. worth | have no doubt. six thou
sand thalersv" cried the Countess Trach-
enberg. as she entered the room
This APARTMENT was on the ground-floor,
and formed portion OF the wing OF the
fine old Castle OF Rudisdorf. The entire
length on one side overlooked broad.
sweeping terrace and beautiful green
lawn, lnterspersed with gravel paths. and
ornamented here and there with statues
and groups OF fine marble of elegant de-
sign. Beyond. lay thcket, or rather
copse, apparently AZ dense as forest,
from which an avenue OF overhanglng
trees led straight To the French windows
opening on TO the terrace. In the dis
tance could be seen, sparkling in the May
sunshine, the bright failing waters or
fountain. The whole building, with It's
beautiful grounds and surroundings, was
a masterpiece OF old French architecture
but alas! how terribly neglected and fallen
into decay.
The grand terrace was covered with
weeds and the broad lawn In front mass
OF overgrown grass. while the paths were
fast becoming as green as the grass Itself.
Everything had an air Of years OF neglect
and seasons OF want and care. Inside ana
outside the castle, and in the stables, COW
cred with dirt and cobwebs and every
other abomins ton were to be found
some the beautiful bas reliefs and figures
which had once ornamented toe walls of
the reception salons. hut which were
dragged first here and then there. Till they
finally found n hiding place IN the stalls
and managers OF these dilapidated old out
houses.
The beautiful old furniture had been
scattered TO the four winds Rich damask
curtains. costly pictures. exquisite biJou-
terie and rare rococo ornaments had all
fallen under the hammer long ago. and
only the stately building Itself had been
left standing because II was entailed In
the family, and could not be sold when
the sequestration OF all the Count Trach-
! enberg's goods and chattels became nee
essary. This had happened four years
ago now. and was, as the countess al
ways In her anger observed, a disgrace
| rll sign OF our eXtrsvagant times, and a
proof OF degenerate taste. which a Just
Heaven ought not 10 have allowed
In the center of the room was large
oak table at which sat remarkably
| plain lady. Her head was large and
matched with quantities OF staring red
hair; her features were ugly: even the
soft white complexion was spoiled by
mass of large and deep set-freckles.
Her solitary beauty was her hands, and
as she moved them nimbly and grace
fully. one could see their lovely shape
and exquisite color. In her fingers she held
a sprig OF syrinGa. so beautifully fresh
and dewy in appearance that one fancied
! the air OF the room must be filled with
| Its sweetness and intoxicating perfume;
but around the stem she was deftly twlst-
ing a fine bit OF green tissue paper. and
thus putting the finishing touches to a
hand made but exquisite little flower.
As the countess entered the room the
| lady at the table started, ana with n
hasty. half frightened air threw white
gauge handkerchief over the work and
its materials. and tried TO appear as IL
doing nothing.
"Oh. mamma, you here!' muttered to
herself half aloud a girl at the other end
OF the room. with her back turned To the
table. She had unbound her hair ana let
IL hang in Its rich glory. loose and un-
| confined. down her back, and the beauu-
! ful golden mass hung heavy In rich. shin
| ing clusters almost to the hem OF her
muslin dress. Tho countess frowned as
she caught sight Of her daughters flow
/ ing locks. and standing still moment.
she said, sternly pointing to the OFFENDING
head:
whats the meaning. of such untidi-
ness?"
II brought home bad headache,
mamma. and Ulrike undid my plaits Tor
me-" answered the young lady some
what ansdously. adding, az she threw
| back her head wearily and shook the
| golden glory OF her hair "ah, IL Is In
deed heavy quantity
| Have you been out again in the heat
OF the sun. gathering weedsT asked the
countess, with a severe and scornful ex-
pression when will this nonsense
! cense 4 wonder!' she added. Struggling
her shoulders and casting a reproachful
\ look over the table.
On IL lay a mass OF plants. some blot
ting paper and little flower press. for
II I...l Of
| a few orchids. laying them between the
sheets OF paper delicstely and carefully.
This great lady, the Countess Trachen-
berg nee Princess Latowiska. knew very
well inded that her eldest daughter. the
| Countess Ulrike. was in the habit OF max
ing beautiful flowers, and sending them
TO Berlin TO be sold for high price;
The business was conducted by an old
servant OF the family. and no one had any
idea that a countess crown surmounted
the forehead OF the much sought after
and renowned flower artist.
TheDcountess knew also that her only
son. the heir of Trachenberg. arranged
these weeds" with the help OF his sister
Juliane and sent them TO Russia. where
they were sold az a collection or rare
native plants, but q princess OF the house
OF I.atowiska ought not 10 know such
things, though the hand that 80 deftly
shaped the flowers was caught In the
act or now and then a word was dropped
which threw light on so much weed
gathering. IL was all nonsense, "A mere
fancy and fad which must be winked az
and endured.
The countess laid a hand on the girls
heavy quantity" OF golden hair. and
with a gleam OF motherly pride lighting
her handsome but sharp-featured counte-
nance.
"Raoul must see this" she said "You
silly girl. YOU have hidden your greatest
beauty from him. | will never forgive
J you for being so awkward as 90 appear
! before him with that thick silk net Gov
ering your head. With such hair
But It's red. mamma"
Hold young tongue That is red!' she
answered quickly inclining her heaC
toward her daughter Ulrike God pre-
serve met Two red heads indeed! VIII,
30 much punishment
Countess Ulrlke. who had drawn from
u her pocket some woodwork and wa
u busy over it sat as still as a statue, anS
" said nothing. but she sighed. She knew
n her beautiful mother was right. yet
. pained her to hear her plainness alluded
II 70 I'm such tone.
y Juliane glanced at her sister and In
: moment had the red head" on he
e bosom and began softly kissing th
much offending pyramid OF twists an
/ fiaite