Richmond Hill Public Library News Index

The Liberal, 28 May 1896, p. 6

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“\Vell Z" he asked, "An inappropriate rather describe it. Shrew. that impt mine, has given me vais quart d’heure, made a laudable efi Shrew, that impossible cousin of mine, has given me an extremely mau- vais quart d'heure. simply because I made a laudable effort to put her in the right path to fame and fortune. Had I deliberately plotted against her peace of mind, she could not have been more abusive, yet I was all for it." "To know you is to be sure oi that. What mischief have you been up to now 3” asked Varley. lazily. She cast a swift, amused glance at him. “Every hour proves it." she said. "You are the one man in the world suit- ed to me. The boldness of your insol- enoe is refreshing in this adula‘tory age. But of Constantiaâ€"you do not under- stand.” “How strangely you looketl at me just then." she said, with loving reâ€" proach; "how oddly you look even now!" She pushed him firom her gayly, and casting sentiment to the winds lgrew once more provoking, tan- talizing. “What means that frown, my lord ?" cried she. “Are you down on your luck, then? Have you backed the wrong horse, or has your true love played you false ?" "I trust notâ€"I believe not,” return- ed he, with emotion. As he spoke he bent his head, and pressed his lips vehgamently upon fihe hare, lovely arm. “But that fellow, Featherston; you must explain that," he went on, quickly. "You have known of hisâ€"his damned impertinence for some time" His face was very pale, and. he had evidently lost control over himself. He did not seek to apologize to her for the ob- ‘ectionable word used. and was, in act, ignorant of having uttered it. Trifles of this sort, however, did not weigh on Donna; she passed them lightly over as a rule, and indeed, found a certain pleasure in them. They gave a flavor to the situation, a piquancy that enriched it. by their betrayal of the speaker's feelings. At that instant she was an exquis- ite creztture, refined, idealized, punfied by almighty love. Varley, with an impassionate gesture, caught her in his arms and held her closely to his beating heart. To him this imperfect woman was the one perfect thmg‘ on earth; a woman to love "passionne- men_t. eperdument, et pour tpujours." They were standing in a very seclud- ed spot (well known to them), one win- dow only in the whole house bearing upon it; this belonged to a small tur- ret chamber seldom m use, and in which now a solitary light was gleaming. On such a. night as this. when the house was full of guests, it was quite certain to be un‘teuanted. “73:01; ivoqu_not deceiVe me," he said. with agitatmn. The words were ratlggr a._questi9p__thg.n an affirrpatioyl. "You know it,” she answered. It was inexpressibly sweet to her toknow he loved her; it was sweeter still to fegl_her POWEI: 9yer 11:191. n "I guessed at it, rather. I could hardly know, as he gave me no open demonstration of his meaning until to- night, when. as I tell you, I overheard in part. and filled in the rest." This "Merely betrayed a tiny secret. A secret so tiny that it was scarcely worth the betrayal; a thing of no real importâ€" ance, and entirely without depth; but because of it she turned upon me, and was. in all, rather violent. At all events, she gave her unbiased opinion of my poor self pure and undiluted, an opinion decidedly more forcible than complimentary." "She requires training,” said Varley, with a frown. “She is brusque to a painful degree.” "You mean she tells the truth," said Donna, with a laugh. She was not at all bitterâ€"she was even generous “Exactly. I have yet to hear what Mrs. Dundagshook herself free of him, and, steppmg back. regarded him earnestly for a moment. Her eyes shone“ like stars, her rose-red lips grew grave; and 510w1y a smile grew upon her face that never was seen there save by him alone. It was a revelation, it was tender, gentle, real! The whole wom- an seemed transformed. "Probably not; she would be a dif- ficult study at any time, I fancy. Well, what have you done to her 2" "SS/j he said, "you couragmg that sneak, this time?" w-“\Vhen ofié loves there is but one en- coupaggdfi' .51“; whisgered, softly. "V‘KVen," said she, with a little curl of her lip, "am I as lovely as you thpgght _ mez'i ‘ "She was, however, when he address- ed the supposed object of his affections by her Christian name, which didn't happen to be Constantia. That was awkward; I heard a little, and I guess- ed the rest." Varley gave way to merriment. “Poor Featherstonl” he said. “Con- dole with Constantia if you will, but you must confess it was rough on him." "Ah, you take his part!" cried Mrs. Dundas. It was her turn now to be amused. "If you knew for Whom the love was really meant, you might be, perhaps, a little more chary of your 912$". ‘ I ‘ , , A”; i,,,.. “Exactly. I have truth she told you‘ it.” fry. Varley dropped her arm, and turn-| ed to her with a rather savage ex-. pression on his face; In spite of the careless good-humor that usually charâ€" acterized him. he could be at times ang- f ry to violence. He laid his hands upon I her shoulders. and so moved her that the-moonbeams fell upon her uplifted face. "All because I gave her a domino of the. most rechercheâ€"one I should not have disdained myself. You have not seen her yet, I think, so that I must enlarge on it to you. “felt, Feather- ston not having the wit to see through yellow satin. mistook her for some one else, and poured out unlimited love at What proved to be a wrong shrine." "Cofisidering how Constantia af- fects him, she could hardly be annoyed by the love." LORD KILLEEN’S REVENGE. CHAPTER XXV I‘hat lit t1 as she joine w‘ord. ‘Ill' or why she told have been en- it appears, all 1 him. would )untry : 7‘W9uld you leave nothing ufisullied ?" I he sand. with a. dark glanm. “Do not pursue this subject, lâ€"entreat. you.” nia farm moanf "T nnmmqnfl vnn” was a. lie, as Featherston’s attentions for some time, in private. had been de- cidedl§r pronunce. But a lie more or less dld not count with her. “But I had my suspicions when first he began to make polite. in uiries as to when Mr. Dundas would at home. It oc- curred to me that he must have been struck by Mr. Dundas's moral quali- ties, which we unimpeuchable. until I discovered that he avoided Bal- lymore on the hours named, But why waste our time talking of him 2” cried she, suddenly. “The mom- ents are flying that we can spend to- gether." “Happy mome He placed his neath her chin to hLm. “Have "Does that re “I know that. I can hardly explain it to myself," she said with a slight smile‘ “I feel that girl despisesâ€"~hates me; yet I am so far fascinated by her that I would work her wa to hap- piness. I use her; yes. abuse her â€"true! Yet I wish her only good. She is the one honest thing amongst us. I believe, and I would not see her sacri- ficed to a poor-blooded creature like Feaiherston If I” going prevent Ait.”r "I think it will be to her everlasting advantage if she_ accepts Andrew Stronge. There Is a man. who will make her hagpy, if_you wily? “You have a glimmer of reason now and then," returned she. airily. "Yes! I owed him a tiny debt which I flatâ€" ter myself I have now quite wiped out. leaving even a little to my credit. 1 have but one sorrow, and that is, that I could not see his face when Con- stantia. spoke. It must have been a Pique” “He fancied he loved me," went on Mrs. Dundas. with alight sneer. "In reality, any affection he has in him is given to Constantia. I spoiled his chance there." "For her Eake. He is not good al.9136519, for 1162-" U "Qfiite so. I should say‘ girl with- out a penny. especially a gal of good birth, should be glad to accept such a. chance of escape from the slavery of povgrty” "There are other chance§ far better for her than marriage wmh Featherâ€" ston. He is selfish, unreliable, a. liar and a hypocrite!" She spoke warmly, and as one who knew. So far, indeed, as the last two accusations went, she was, beyond doubt, a. competent judge. Varley seemed surprised. "You are very careful of Constantia," he said; "a. girl who, it is notorious, regards you in any but a. friendly lighvti” “Perhaps you think it ‘vill be for her €909 .90. die.“ eld. maid? “He is an excellent parti. \Vhy des- tr<_>_3_'_ a. little game 1115; that ?" "Her shadow! why do you call him that?" demanded Varley, with asus- picion of haubeur in his tone. "I was wrong." returned she, light- ly. “Such godly women never have a 'shadow.’ or a 'friend,’ they have only an ‘agreeable aoquaintance.’ But, as we have all learned from our in- fancy. there isn’t so very much in a name after allâ€"or else a lgreat deal!" “1 have before this suggested to you that it would be as well to keep Lady Varley’s name out of the conver- sation," said he, in a. low tone that time had taught her it would be wise to re ard. But she despised warnings. “ ith all my heart. Keep her out of your mind. forget her much as you like," she said. flippantly. "Butâ€" keep your eyes open. The traveled youth is ever full of guile, and between you and madame there seems to be litâ€" tle love lost. I was astonished at see- inghther here to-nighlt; but now I see 1g ." "Did you hear that ?" she asked, al- luding to a clock in the old tower that had struck the quarter to twelve; the sound rang out sorrowfully, solemnly upon the still air. "I'd assassinate that clock, if I dared. How it kills one's goy, breathing dissolution as it strike. Now, it will separate you from me. Our happy night, that knew but the one regretâ€"that it should some time endâ€"is now almost over. Midnight is at hand, when dominoes and the merry mask must be flung aside, and we must once again be as we seem, not as we are." "You have been happy, then ?" “Absurdly so, for many reasons. Hear them: I have been with you. I have done that girl who hates meareally good turn, and 1 have circumvented Eentherstone! Threefold bliss!" O'Grady was talking to her. His calm, cultured voice came to them across the grass. Presently a. rhodo- dendronbush hid them. and they passed from View. 7 “Ypu are a little hitter rwith regard to Feutherston," sgnd he, regarding her with some suspxcmn. ’ There was a satisfaction that was venomous in her tone. To Varley it was music. His doubts cleared. : His tone meant. "‘I coxfimand you.” Donna, who had said all she intended to say, laughed softly, and slipped her hand. with a. tender. seductive glance, thxfglggh his arm. "What! Yoh ad'vocate his cause now?" agajnst her' own obedlence 'to an ex- "I must ask you to excuse me," said Lady Varley. in a low, careful tone. She did not look at her hostess as she spoke, but employed herself fastening lthe already fastened catches of her ,cloak. "My abrupt departure may ‘seem to you ungracwus, butâ€"there are ‘ many reasons why I must leave yourâ€" lpleasant dance so soon." ‘ The manner in which she plainly forc- ‘ed herself to be civil made her words i almost an insult. Mrs. Dundas regard- led her with the warmest sympathy. "Ah! you are tired, fatigued," she said, sweetly. “One can see it. That ‘ will do for a first reason, at all events. .As for the othersâ€"" She paused. She ’ turned her eyes upon O’Grady. and her lips widened into one of her most brilâ€" liant smiles. "Mr. O’Gradyâ€"is he go- ingâ€"with you?" The llttle hesitation was perfect. "Am I to be so unfor- tunate as to lose you both in one mo- I meat?" "He little likes me. Yet, am I so poor a thing, that I can not see vir- tue in mine enemy? Poufl" cried she, gayly, “you are in the dark yet as to my mental powers. I acknowledge his good parts, though he slay me. I know them all, and they are numerous. I like to acknowledge them; it makes me, in a sense, his superior. He will grant me no charitable doubt, and so 1 am the more generous of the two.” "\Vhy should he dislike you?” "Who shall say? And it is of no con- sequence at all. Your high-minded per- son is always very narrow. However, he loves most honestly that little fool. and I would see her happy, in spite of many insults." She laughed gayly as if at the remem- brance of the insults, and after a. bit Varley joined in. “You are truly an incomprehensible woman,” he said. "In that lies my charm. That is why you adore me,” returned she, with a saucy smile. "Were I easily under- standed of all men, my power would vanish; I should be like the rest of ‘my kindâ€"flat, stale, and unprofitable; 1 should bore you in a month. You say to yourself of me. one moment; ‘She is wild, wicked, incorrigible;’ the moment after: 'Nay, she is good, char- itable, generous.’ After that you are hopelessly mixed, and,‘ being a man, and impossible, as you think, to be beaten, you are determined to wait and watch ; forever, until you solve the mystery; but ‘ that will he never. 1 perplex, puzzle, interest, stimulate, and soâ€"bind youl’j "Note her frlsky ways!” cried she still springng to and fro wil 11 all the exaggerated sprightlines‘; of one vain- ly striving to be young when handiâ€" capped by dreary age. “Mark her youthful grace! Take heed of the tender agility that sits so sweetly on the gay young thin?! The very poetry of motion. eh. Var ey? I'm sure I'm vastly obleeged to you, my lord. for our polite criticism." Here she imi- ted the miserable old fribble's voice to IL nicety. "Stand back, sir. till I give you a. better view. Say now, Frederick. wouldn’t it have been a pity to let you be done out of so good a thing ?’>’ Lady Varley made her no reply; she only moved a. she or two nearer to the door, and sto there is thou h she had forgotten her. But 0' rady's Z'What, Lady Varley! going so soon!" iald Mrs. Dundas, goxng slowly up Lo er. As she passed rapidly through the empt ' hall. she saw Lady Varley stand- ing t ere with a heavy crimson plush cloak around her. O'Grady was stand- ing near her, but she was not talking to him; she was staring at the open doorway, gazing out into the darkness beyond with an impatiem-e she. had alâ€" most ceased to subdue. She was gone from him in a mo- ment. She ran lightly through aside door, and when. a few minutes later, at the signal from old Lord Muskerryâ€" who had been requested to fling a slip- per into the air as midnight struck. as a warning to all Cinderellas to throw aside their disguises and pro- claim themselves as they really were -â€"â€"all there divested themselves of dom- noes and masks and stood revealed to their partners, and their partners to them, Mrs. Dundas was discovered at the end of the room laughing gayly with old Lord Killeens of Blue Ribbon fame. who was the kindest. the prosi- est, and certainly the most harmless man in the United Kingdom._ Her purpose once accomplished. she did not lose much time over the prosy earl. She shunted him on to a dow- uger of noble dimensions. and catchâ€" ing up her now useless domino. moved toward the door, ostensibly for the pur 056 of getting rid of iLâ€"-she who coud have had a little army to do her will had she so chosen! Farming, exhausted, laughing unfiil her sides shook, she stood before bun anlt‘lngr‘agped his arm. "So late. so late!” she gasped. "Let us run for it. Midâ€"night is on the very stroke, and I am bound as hostess to see the death of the immoral (iimino, and the birth of the deoorous dance.”- As they drew nearer the W111- dows, she stopped him. “You go that way,” she said, “I shall go this. And remember, should the ques- tion arise. that you have been very attentive to Constantia toâ€"night. Dance with her now to give the idea. a color." CHAPTER XXVI carnage. that dam ier hours For a ‘For a second Donna was disconcert- ed. He had known her. then, through her disguise! But after all it might as well have been Constantia. She had not spoken, she remembered, and how could he be sure if she persisted in sayâ€" ing it must have been her cousin he had asked for that waltz? By the bye, it would be wise to allude to it as a polka; it would be a proof that she had not been the one. She was startled out of her pretty plans (which all had rushed through her fertile brain in the short time it had taken her to pretend to disentangle her fan from her lace flounces) by seeing Constantia coming swiftly down the hall. The girl looked pale and (115- turbed, and passed her as though she was not there. "Are you going home, Lady Varley? Will you take me with you?" she asked in a. voigte_tha‘t was almost a whisper. “Certainly. .de as soon. Conme! commencmg, as At the word “friends,” Congtantia lift- ed her head and fastened her large eyes upon her. They were filled with a pas- sionate contempt. Then she turned away and moved closer to Lady Varley, who was still gazing with an intense eagernesshinto the night beyond. H commencing. as it were." "Oh, do take me," said Constantia, wifh an enirealiy that was vehement. They had both spoken very low, but the hall was quite empty, and there- fore every word could be distinctly heard. "Are you too deserting me, Connie?“ said Mrs. Dundas, amiably. “This dance has been a. failure indeed. All my friendg are f9rsg1ging 1119‘ together}: "Will it never come?" she said to Constantia. The words vseemed to escape her involuntarily, and betrayed her loss of composure. Even as she spoke, the crunching of wheels upon the gravel outside was heard. "Now Lady Varley,” said O'Grady. comin forward and offering his arm. Mrs. undas also went up to her. She was not to be ignored by any one in her own houseâ€"and as yet the game was in her own hands. "Good-night,” she said. cordially. “I hope a good night's rest will make you all right in a few hours." "Good-night,” said Lady Varley; "thank you.” Her tone was cold, but courteous; she laid her hand gently in Donna's. But Constantia could not do this. She swept past her cousin as though she was invisible, and set- tled herself in the very furthest reces- ses of the broughaxn, so that it might be plainly seen by everybody that she was not going to offer even the barest civilities. She was young, of course, and hanany things to earn. (To Be Continued.) 'l‘lw llgppllnn .‘hlllll‘~ “urfure. As Illd Ills Faun-rs Before mm. The ordinal? Egyptian is by instinct. utterly opposed to military life. The last thing in the world he wants to do is to fight. He hates the pomp and circumstance of glorious war. and no- thing in his nature is appealed to by the idea of strife and combat. He is a goon-tempered. pleasure-lovâ€" ing man, and for 5,000 years his un- oestors before him have loathed the clash of steel. Go back as far as you like in Egyptian history and you will never find a trace of the Viking spirit in the inhabitants of the Nile Valley. The successful wars of the Pharoahs were waged by mercenaries. and the papyri show that the military calling was always described as pure evil. The records show little delights in battle; but plenty of picturesque contrasts be- tween the horrible miseries endured by the soldier in the field and the pleas- ant, snug life of the civilian tribe. The spirit of the old Dane, who, when he felt death approaching, put on his armor because he would not die like a cow in his house, has no echo in the past or in the present of the true Egyp- tian. Ih'l'cui IDiN‘ml‘l‘irs‘ showing Them In llnw- lleell lied 4.000 Years Ago. Wigs have been used either to con- ceal the want of natural hair or avowed- ly as mere ornaments. In the former way they have been used from the ear- liest historical times. The oldest ex- isting specimen of this kind of Wig is belieVed to be one found in the tomb of an Egyptian mummy at Thebes and now in the British Museum. This, it is con- sidered by the best authorities, is 4,000 years old. The ancient Assyrians, the Persians. the Medes, the Lydians and others are known to have made use of wigs. Toward the end of the Roman Republic the ladies were very fond of wigs. and the fashion spread still more under the Early Empire, when yellow wigs. made of hair in Germanyâ€"were in great request. Horace, Ovid and J uvenal ridiculed the large wigs of the Roman ladies. Statues even were made with movable marble wigs. Two of these are still preserved in Rome. All the wigs so far mentioned seem to have been intended to pass as the real hair of the wearers. The latter use ofwigs as mere ornaments began in France in the seventeenth century, when Louis XIII.. to conceal his premature baldness, took to a. Wig. His com-tiers followed suit. and the fashion spread rapidly. The wig became larger and larger, till under Louis XIV. it reached an absurd size. The fashion spread in England also. being at its height in Queen Anne's reign. Housewjfe (to new domestio)â€"There is one_ thmg I wish to say to you. The last girl had a. habit of coming nito the drawyng room and playing the piano occasmnally. You 'never play the piano. do__you?"_ _ New Domesticâ€"Yis. mum, I plays. but I'll hev t9 charge yer five shil- lings a week alxtry i fI'm to furnish music for the tamily. PEACEFUL BY NATURE. THE ORIGIN OF WIGS. NEW DOMESTIC ar, if you wish it. But apd the dance only just Neighborly Interest In His Doingsâ€"Matter! of Moment and I'llrth Gathered from His Dally Record. The State Legislature .of Ohio has paSSed an antiâ€"lynching blll. In New York Staterthere are 280,- 029 acres of buckwheat under cultiva- tion. A Thorndike (Ma.ss.) man has a young kitten which has two distinct bodies, eight legs, no tail and a. head which looks strangely human. ty, ( year The Chicago City Railway Company is preparing to spend $2,000,000 in build- ing 40 miles of track in the south and south-western parts of Chicago. The gifts to colleges, churches, lib- raries and public charities in the Unlt- ed States last year amounted to $28,943,549, against $19,967,116 in 1894. \Vork is proceeding day and night at the ordnance shops in the \Vashington navy yard on the guns designed for the new ships nearing completlon. TEMS OF INTEREST ABOUT THE BUSY YANKEE. Rocklaud. Me., has a. woman justice of the peace, a. woman court stenc- grapher, three women who have made an Lronclad agreement to wear bloom- ers. There is nothing very eccentric in " Young " or " Old " as a. name, but the combination is rather odd in the case 9: Mrs. Young 01d; of Portsmouth. Cats are scarce in the little town of Valley, VVash'mgtou. The coyotes come boldly into town at night. and carry off all the cats they sap prowling around. Mr. Charles H. Hackley, of Mug- kegon, Mich, has added $25,000 to ‘hm original gift for a, manual ’traim school in that town, making! his tota. gift. $155,000. Coal of excellent quality, and in ap- parently enormous quantities, has just been discovered in Arizona. in the Dos Cabezas district, only six miles from the railroad. A woman lawyer has won the first di- vorce case tried by a female member of the bar. The trial took place in the New York Supreme Court before Judge Smythe. South Caroliniaus are " \Veasles," " Sand Hillers," and “ Rice Birds ;" the first an illusion to the thinness of the early natives; the second, to their place of residence; the third, to a common crop and birds which feed on it. Mrs. George Gould's tiara, which she has just received from a. Londo mak- er, cost $80,000. and is said to one of the finest specimens of the jewel- Iers’ art in America. The congregation of a. church at Fil- more, Cal.. has invited its pastor to resign because he accepted contribu- tions for church work from sporting men and saloon-keepers. Arkansas, 3. great many years ago, was nicknamed the " Bear State,” firom the abundance of beams in the moun- tainous districts. For over fortyyears Arkansas had almost a. monopoly of the bear stories of the country. Mrs. Ann B. Whitman. of Marlboro', Mam” who died last week at nearly 94 years of age, was present at the laying of the corner stone of Bunker Hill monument. The newly elecbed president of Ken- yon College, at Gambier, 0., W. F. Pierce, is but 28 years old. He has been professor of philosophy at Kenyon. for the last: three years. Michigan has been called the "Lake State " for an obvious reason. It is better known as the " W'olverine State " from the former presence of great num- bers of these animals in its forests. J. de Barth ShIob, whose death is announced in Los Angeles, Cal.. was one of the best known viticulturists in the world. He leaves among other ro- perty a vineyard of 1,300 acres inc ud- ed in his big ranch of 10,000 acres. Enc'u‘cling the throat of a. baby left on a. doorstep at Day's Ferry, Me,, was a. card to which was attached an en- velope containing $500 in bank notes and these words: "\Vhen this is gone Ehere is more from wherei this came rom." Roswell Silshy, who died at his home in Aurora, Me., the other day, was known all throu h that part of the state as " the hair ess man." From birth his head was perfectly bald. and he had no hair on any part of his body. He always wore a wig. His age. was sevâ€" entyâ€"six years. The largest prune orchard in the world is said to be located at Los Gatos. on the western edge of the Santa Clara Valley, Cal. It contains nearly 50,000 trees, covering about 380 acres. A hun- dred workmen and as many horses are constantly employed on this farm. which is provided with its own water- works and electric light plant. 'Joel Luman, of Burtonville. Ky.. is a. blg man. His height is 6 feet 4inches, and his weighlt is 354 pounds. He has a son and a daughter, each. of whom is as tall as himself. Neither coloured folk nor Chinamen are permitted to live or work in the new colony of Fitzgerald. recently founded in Georgia; but a novelty for that section of the country has been let inside the limits in the person of a pret- ty girl barber. She has set up a shav- ing shop and is doing a big business among; the westerners, who form the greater part of the colonists. The Mayor of Flint. Mich, performs the duties of his office without compen- sation other than the satisfying sense of having done his duty. But the May- or who retired last week has directed the affairs of the town so well during his year of office that the Common Council unanimously voted to make an appropriation for him. as an especial Snark of satisfaction. The sum was one 0 ar. Miss Kate Shelley, of Moingona, 13... who made her way through a. raging blizzard at midnight several years ago, and. by signalling to a. crowded ex- press train on the Chicago and North- western railroad. saved it from plung- ing throu h a. wrecked bridge, has ap- plied to t e Iowa. legislature for em- ployment in the State House as a menâ€" 131. She is destitute. and has to sup- rt her aged mother and an invalld rather. Uncle Hiram Lester, of Henry coun- , Ga., is said to be now in hls 120th

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