Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-03-14

prehend the calamity which has be.
fallen us-you see, as I dc, that we are
ruined"
yes" she answered, mechanically.
He caressed his blond n,ustache. and
glanced at her from the corners OF his
sleepy eyes.
Madame, will you allow me to in
quire into the present state of your
purse?" f'
"It is empty" ... -
"Pardieu! SO also is mine"
| Moreover, count, some thief has sto-
len my Jewels. They were abstracted
from my chamber yesterday while ]
lay unconscious in the salon. I wish
to ask what he has done with them?"
He WINGED in spite of himself.
Madame, you mistake, the jewels
were not stolen, but borrowed to pay
some pressing debts that could not be
put of. They shall be returned to you
at an early date-I swear 1t, on my
honor!"
"Your honor!" echoed Ethel. with
slow, cold contempt.
He advanced with wheedling air,
but she waved him imperiously back
she was regal in her grief and despair
TT was an act Of necessity, my dear
wife-accept my humble apologies
All, feel that have been cruel and
neglected. to you Of late---to you, the
fairest woman in the world!--for this,
also, you must forgive me. The sight
Of your distress cuts me to the heart
come to you In concilatory spirit.
wish sincerely to be friends with
you. Alas! we must both submit to
many sacrifices. Our present expen-
sive establishment can no longer be
maintained. But you have heroism-
so, I trust, have ]. We will seek to
sustain each other. Dearest, the first
thing I must ask Of you. is to discharge
your maid" 49, - - y
For a full moment they looked at
each other. Then Ethel answered cold
ly:
"Impossible!"
Madame, as your husband. COM
mand it," EE
Il will not part with Finette." re-
piled Ethel.
What! have you no longer any re-
gard for my wishes or commands?
Has II come to this" geo"
IT will not part with Finette-it is
useless to ask me-" she answered, with
determination.
Madame, you shall have another at
tendant in her stead"
81 will have Finette, and none 9TH
er."
He smothered an OATH
Very well. You are not yourself
madame. will not urge the matter
now. Did seem harsh and inconsid-
crate to you yesterday? Forgive me
Let me kiss your hand.
She recoiled with horror.
Don't touch me-" she cried, wildly
II cannot bear it," ~,
"Ah!" His heavy face changed. 81
see. You have been listening to that
woman's hes!"
She answered nothing, but q shud-
der went over her from head to foot.
Little fool!" he hissed, under his
breath, then turned softly and re-
treated from the boudoir.
AS his footsteps died away, Ethel
sank down, where she stood, till heI
face was hidden in the rich carpet
| What was to become Of her; and oh
merciful Heaven! what was to become
Of her proud, luxury loving mother
across the sea-how would she beai
poverty and dishonor? And poor Bee
without doubt, her fortune, to, was
swallowed up in the general ruin; but
to Ethel, the fate Of these two, when
compared with her own, seemed as
paradise to purgatory.
Oh, to recall the last three years OF
her life, with all their hlunders! How
she hated the title that had cost heI
80 much-how she hated the man who
had conferred 1t upon her! The very
fact that he wished to part her from
Finette proved beyond doubt that the
whole dark story which the waiting.
woman had told her was true.
| The air Of the boudoir seemed sitting
Ethel. To her distorted fancy the Grim.
son silk hangings on the wall took the
hue Of blood The pale face Of hel
predecessor, the fair and unfortunate
Olga, seemed to start out from ever!
corner, and look at her with sad
warning eyes.
| Whittier should she turn for comfort
or help? Among an the fair-weathel
friends that she had made in the gay
world Of Paris did she know OF one Il
whom she could now appeal for coun-
sci, protection or assistance? She wal
a proud woman, and she promptly an.
swered her own question, Not one!'
She stood alone; alone she must face
the future, with all it's sorrow, power
| ty, and, maybe peril.
The day wore on. The AFTERNOON
shadows gathered in the little garden
The countess arose, at last, from the
floor, where she hac lain for hours II
a stupor Of despair, and touched Sill
yer bell.
Finette appeared, but started bacl
| in CONSERVATION at sight OF her mis-
tress's face. -,
"Oh, madame!" she cried, you viii
go wild II you remain here longer, shu
up with your troubles"
That Is quite true" shivered Ethel
bring my outer garments and thicl
veil, Finette-I am going out
Finette made haste to obey.
II lob n
amer"
Yes"
]. Mistress and maid left the house II
the Avenue de rImperatrice, and. turn
ing into another street, walked ava!
together.
A long wrap and g. thick veil dis
| guised the countess. At this hour sh
was not likely to be seen or recogniz
ed by any fashionable acquaintance
The air was like balm. Happy-face'
bourgeois passed her upon the pave
ment. Flowers were blowing, greel
foliage waving in the declining light
She saw none Of these things; he
thoughts were far away from this beau
tif,I Paris. In truth, she knew no
whittier she went, and she cared eve
less.
Suddenly a carriage, drawn by
pair OF DlOOQeu nOISSS, III ihCu ttiSS
street. It drew nearer; 1t flashed o
the countess and her servant. In
two persons were seated-one. littl
brunette beauty. wrapped in super
Delhi shawl, the other, heavy, Dion
man, who was listening to the ga
chatter of his companion with a loo
Of sleepy alteration.
Look madame!" said Finette
: monsieur the count"
Ethel stood motionless upon tn
pavement. and gazed after the carriag
till 1t was lost in the distance.
And that woman" she gasped-
l who is she?"
: "Mademoiselle Nicole, Of the Vari
etes. All! you are ready to sink, mad
anne. Let us turn In here till you re
: gain your composure"
: They had reached the open door z
a church. The countess suffered Fl
nette to conduct her up the well-wor
steps, under the shadow Of wonder
, full portico, and into a solemn interio
! Of long, lofty aisles and painted win
, dows, through which the light fell !
] subdued rainbow CLEANS.
It was not the hour for service, an
2 the grand. silent place had neithe
priests nor lighted tapers, nor smok
3 ing incense. A few persons only wer
to be seen-tourists, studying the al