The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-07-13

4 1 + Jesse Blanc.
xox was talking in aN Idle
way WIKI an attac;,e of the embassy
when she entered. 1 had been rather
bored, and early rs it was had begun
to think of leaving and dropping in at
the opera. but when saw that lovely
apparition 1 had 10 thought Of leaving
While she remained.
"Yeu know everyone-teil me who
she is..' l said to my friend. abruptly.
"Stephanie Ge LuSSac," he replied.
"widow of that brilliant scamp, Paul
de Lussac, whom you knew-at least
by sight and reputation. Also the
niece and adopted daughter Of old Val
roide, the reputed miser.'
Paul de Lussac dead:' I exclaimed,
in surprise.
Yes; his brilliant though question
able career was cut short in !, tragic
manner. Did you never hear of it?
They were at Nice ut the time; his
yacht was upset and his body WAS
never recovered. For L long time moth
ing would tempt Stephanie from tie
secluded life which she adopted ut his
death, but now she is seen occasionally
among her old friends, and she is quite
as fascinating as ever. 4 strange
thing, though-she has never Worn her
Jewels, which We're really something
marvellous, since her husbands death,
and it has been whispered that lie car
ried them with him to the other world
as a sop to Cerberus. But what is tie
matter? You seem struck he added,
smiling.
will you present me?" asked. and.
still smiling, be complied with my re-
quest.
l was struck, certainly, and hard hit,
even, at first sight.
Years before. wandering through the
Berlin galleries, I had seen the por-
trait of very beautiful woman. who
was then dead. and something in its
exquisite loveiineSs had gone straight
to my heart.
That woman 1 could have loved" l
thought-and even this portrayal of
her features seemed to have its iHfiu-
erce, however slight, upon MY usually
careless life.
I found copyist more clever than
the usual run Of them. and had him
paint me all ivory miniature Of this
haunting face. and although III kEoch-
ing about the world parted from time
to time with most of my possessions
rs I ceased 10 care for them, yet re-
tanned this miniature, and it still kept
its Lcid upon my fancy.
And now WAS face 10 face with its
living counterfeit. She might have
just been sitting for the portrait. ard
have come straight from the studio 10
the salon, for the likeness WIS m!r&cu-
lous.
Here was the same sweet. ova! face.
beautifully poised above the slender
neck. and crowned with rich masses OF
soft. dark hair. just threaded with 4
band Of violet gray, that matched the
velvet of her square-cut gown. And
here were the same large. innocent,
dark eyes. now looking straight into
nv own. and the same beautiful lips
smiling up at me.
The thought flashed through me, IF
her mind is as beautiful as her pcrfec!
face and form. /. the careless main c.
the world, will strain every nerve to
Win her for nv wife,
So far did l succeed in gaining her
favor that at the evenings close she
had given me permission 10 call upon
her at Ler home.
/ availed myself Of this OH the FOL
lowing afternoon. and found her seated
by old Al. Vairoide's side. reading aloud
to him from ponderors tome.
AS on the night before she was mos:
Simply but beautifully dressed. Quite
disregarGing the prevailing faSh:|E,
she wore simple gown OF some soft
clingiEg stuff that fitted her perfec:
figure marvellously we'll, and fell from
the waist downward in graceful folds.
The sGuare-cut neck was finished III
some soft. old lace, but. as on the night
before. she wore 10 jewels. Nor die
she need 10 wear them: III my eyes nc
gems. however rare. could have added
one jot 10 her perfect lovciness.
The grace of her conversation
charmed me more and more. but if il
had not been So-if ! had found hcl
mind far inferior 10 her lovely face
think must still! have loved hel
maGly
Call it infatuatior. or what YOU viii
the thought of her filed both my wax
ing and sleeping hours, and l ever
dared TO hope that this pearl of wome1
might ore day consent to be my Wife.
A week later ali Paris rang Will
this beautiful womun's name. I!
clubs. in cafes. on street corners
wherever men OF women met or gail!
cred. her name was spoken either il
pity or in horror.
4 terrible murder had been com