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The Brussels Post, 1887-5-20, Page 7*727 MAY 0, 188 ? TBE ACTRESS' MUTER;' xtMISTRESS OP RICE:610NDROMA ATALE O rWrg0Y1xATV%REUUOrrnE, By Mrs. MAY AGNES FLEMI: iG, Author of "" Lase Ear a Wou,an,"";ffawl Areray'n Seeger,+"Etc, Etc; Without noticing her by word or look, Freddy wenb over and laid her hand on Georgia's shoulder, "Georgia," ego said, authoritatively, With a bound Georgia leaped to be feet, and, with oyes that shone Bice coals of fire in a fame perfectly white, the mortalcon- front d her o Freddy, with all her meanness, was no coward, oleo she would have fled at sight of that fearful look, As it was she re. coiled a step, and her smile faded away es she said : "My cousin sent me here to tell you to go to your room and stay there until he comes." Slowly and impressively Georgia lifted her head, and, keeping her gleaming, burning eyes fixed on the sallow face be- fore her, pointed to the door. "Go!" she said, in a hollow voice. Go Freddy started and her face flushed. "I have delivered my message and in. tend to. If you don't do as my eeusin orders yon—take care, that's all." "Go I" repeated the hollow tones, that startled her by their very calmness, so unnatural was it. For the first time in her life Freddy Richmond was terrified, and Miss Joe. esba appalled. Without a word the former nbded past, opened the door and vanished. For a moment Georgia :stood stock. still, like one tenet), to stone,0.n 1 then, c throur wiug u her arms with a groat cry, she would have fallen had bot Mist; Jet:. uslta caught her. "Olt, my heart 1 tn3r heart!" she cried. pressing her halide over it as though it Vara breaking. "Oh, Miss Jerusha, they have killed Mar' "Oh, Georgia!" began Miss Jerusha, but het vii a choked, and and sho stopped. "Oh, leave me 1 leave moi dear, best friend that ever was in this world, leave me, and never come to this dreadful Iiouso again. Oh, Miss Jorusha, why did you not leave me to die that night long ago ?" Miss Jerusha essayed to speak, but somebbiug rose in her throat and stopped her. Nothing broke the silence of the room but her sobs and thatassionate P + despairing voice. "Go 1 leave me 1 I cannot bear you should stay here; and never, never come back again, Mita Jerusha. Oh, me! oh, ins 1 that I were dead 1" There was such painful anguish in her tones that Miss Jorusha could not stay to listen. Throwing her arms around her neck ie one losstonate embrace, she hurried from the house, sobbieg hyeteri- tally, and startling the servant who opened d 11 t o door. Then Georgia reeled rather than walk• ad from the room, up stairs, into her own bedroom ; and there, sinking down on the floor, she lay as still and motion- less as if sho were indeed dead. Fox hours she lay thus, as if frozen there, as if she would never rise again—crushed, humbled, degraded to the dust. Sounds of laughter and music came wafted up the stairs; she beard the voice she hated most singing a gay Italian bar- carole, and now another voice joins in— ber husband's. Oh, Georgia, your hour of anguish has come, and whore is your bele now ? Heaven and earth are dark alike; you did not look up when Iife's sunshine shone on you, and now, in your utter misery, there is no help near. Oh, Georgia, where, in your humilia- tion, is your pride, the independence that has supported you hitherto.? Gone— swept away, like a reed in the blast, and Tonne thereprostrate on the earth, prone in the dust, a living example of human helplessness, unsupported by divine grace. Hour after hour passed, and still she lay there. The door opened at Last, but she did not move. Tho footsteps she knew so wcfl•orossed the threshold, but she was motionless. A voice pronounced her name, and a shiver ran through her whole frame, but the collapsed form was still. A band was laid on her arm, and she was lifted to her feet and borne to a chair, and then sho raised her sunken eyes and saw the stern face of her hue - baud bent upon her. CHAPTER XVI. ItItAPING TIM WHIIRLWIND. t d7,woman wronged man cherish bate Moto deep and dark than manhood may. lvairrntn ' And in that deep and utter agony— 'Martgh then than ever most Hunt to die-- shb`tbll upon her knees and prayed for death." It was not .in human heart, much less in a heart that loved her still, to gaze on that death -like face unmoved; and Rich- mond's stern gaze relayed and his brow ;lost its cold severity, as he linen beside .her and tied: "Dearest Georgina one would think you were dying. Deeply as you leave inortified me, I have not the heart to 'see you thus wretched. Lookup--smile —speak to me. What! not a word? Good mercy, how deeply yon seem to feel these things!" "Let me. go, Richmond ;I • ata tired and sick, and want to be alone." "Yes, yeti aro sick; the fieryspirit within you is wearing out gout hoay. Oh, Georgia 1 when are those storms of passion to cease 2" She lifted her melancholy black, eyes to his face with a strange, prolonged gaze. "Wlian 1 am dead I" "Oh, Georgia, sooner than that 1 Oh, why did yyon insult my mother, diegritce me, and horrify all,these people to -day 1 Are you going ctaey, Georgia ?" "No; 1 wish I were." "Georgia!" ho said, shocked as much byber slow, strange tone as by her worls. "Perhaps I will be semi ; you are all taking a good way to make me so." "Georgia 1" "it will be bolter for you, you know— you can marry a lady then." "Georgia 1" "Oh, you can marry your ccusin— sho will never disgrace you, Riohmoud," she said, with a strange, short laugh. "Georgia I" "Oh, Richmond, why did you marry me? Why did you ever marry me?" she cried, suddenly changing her tone to one of piercing anguish, and wringing her pale fingers. "Because," he said, flushing deeply, "I mistook you for a noble -hearted, generous girl, instead of the vindictive, rebellions one you have turned out to be. Because I made a mistake, emery another has done before me, and will do for all time. Aro you satisfied now, ley dear ?" She rose from her seat and paced up and down, wringing her hands. "Oh, I thoctght I would have beau so happy 1 You said you loved me, and I believed you. I did not know you wanted a wife to bear the brunt of your mother's sneers and your cousin's in. sults—some ono to afford a subject of laughter to your friends, Oh, Richmond, 1 wish—I wish I had died before I ever mot you 1" Richmond stood watching her in silence a moment, and the look of i ,. mai.s.d displeasure again settled on his face, .roll, really, this is pleasant!" he said, Slowly. You can act the part of the termagant to the life, Mistress Georgia. I expected, and I believe so did all the rest, to see you knock my mother down a little while ago; that, I presume, will be the next exhibition, Yon have made out a long list of cern- plaints against mo during the past; take caro that I do not turn the tables and accuse you of something worse than being a virago, my lady." "Our I•hall isSay not surprised. pred and do what you please ; nothing will astonish me now. Oh, that it were not a crime to diel" sho cried, passionately wringing her hands. Well, madam, you do not believe ie hell, yon know," he said with a sneer, "so what does it matter?" "Two months ago 1 did not, Richmond; now I know of it." The frown deepened on his brow. ".Vliet do you mean by that, Mrs Wildair 1" he said, hotly. "Nothing," she replied, with a cold smile, Have a oare,iny lady; your taunts may bo earried too far. it ill becomes Yen to take the offensive after what has passed this afternoon." "After what has passed! By that you moan, I suppose, my preventing your mother from making the servants turn my best, my dearest friend, into the street like a dog." she said, stoppiug in her walk and facing him. "My mother mistook her for a beggar. Hoiv was sho to know she was anything to you ?" Georgia broke into a scornful laugh, and resumed her walk. "Positively, sirs. Wildair," said lliolt- mond, flushing crimson with angor. "this insulting conduct is too meth, If I cannot command your obedience, I at least insist on your respect. And as we are upon the subject, I beg iu your in. tercourse with ono of my guests you will remember you are a wedded wife. You seem to have forgotten ,it pretty well up to the present, both of you." She had sunk on a sofa, her face hid - don in the cushions, her hands ciasped .over her heart, as if to still the intol- erable pain there. She made no reply to the words that had struck her oar, but conveyed no meaning, and after waibing in vain for an answer, ho re- sumed, with a still deepening frown: "Yon will nob honor me with an an- swer, madam. Probably your smiles and answers are all alike reserved for the fascinating Captain Arlingford. How do you intend to meet my mother, Mrs. Wildair, after whab has happened to -day?" "Oh, Richmond, I do not know 1 Oh, Puchmond, do, do leave me 1" "Madam 1" "I am so tired, and so sick. I minuet taut to -night 1" sho cried out, lifting her bowed head, and claspinghex hands to her throbbing temples. "Be it so, then, madam, I shall not intrude again" said Richmond, as, with a face dark with anger, he turned and left the room. Next morning at breakfast Georgia did not appear. There was an ember-, rasa-meet—a. restraint upon all present, which deepened when the unconscious Captain Arlingford, the only one who ventured to pronounce her name, in- quired for Mrs, Wildair. A dusky fire, the baleful fire of jealousy, flamed up in Richmond Wil- air's eyes. Freddy and his mother saw it, and exchanged glances, and the ola evil smile broke over the former's face. "Silo was indisposed fast night," said Mr, Wildair, with freezing coolness, "and I presntee has not yet sufficiently recovered to be 'able to join us at I table, Yon will have the happiness of seeing her at dinner, °aptain Arling- ford.' There was something in his tone that made Ca twin Arlingford look np, and AIM Wildair, Leaning a public disagree- ment, which did tot snit her purpose at all, said hastily, in a tone of the Most ortethr rly solicitude: 'rl'oor, dear child. I am timid that THE BRUSSELS POST little affair of yesterday has mortified hereto death, Freddy, love, do go up tper room, eel pee how sbv:is," low Mires Freddy, Who was a most ptedeub,.young hid,, fox sundry good reasons of her own, would have pre- ferred' at first not boarding the lioness in her don, bub after an instant's thought, the desire of exulting ever her, proved too strong for her fears, and she rose with alacrity from her seat, and with her unvarying smile on her face, passed from the room and up stairs. ereaching eoredoor she haltd,anddiscretypeeped. tbrongli the keyhole. Nothing was to be seen, however, and the silence of the grave reigned within. She softly turneci the handle of the door, but it was locked, and, after hesitating' a moment, she rapped. Her summons was at first un- answered, and was repeated loudly throe or four times before the door swung back, and Georgia, pale and hag- gard, with disordered hair and gar- ments, stood before her. So chaugod was she that Freddy started back, and then recovering herself, she drew a step nearer, folded her arms, and looked np in her Taco with a steady, insolent smile. But that smile seemed to have an effect upon Georgia, wbo, white, cold, and statue like, stood looking down upon her from the depths of her great black eyes. "Good -morning, my dear Georgia," she said, smiling. "Captain Arlingford sends his compliments, and begs to know how you are.' There was no reply to this insulting speech- The black eyes never moved in their steady gaze. "What shall l: tell the handsome cap- tain, Georgia ?" continued the little fiend. "ile was inquiring meet anxiously for you this morning. Shall I say you will relieve that anxiety by gracing our dinner table ? Allow me to insinuate, in case you do, that it would be advis' able to use a little rouge, or they will think a corpse has risen from the church- yard head of Richmond a a to take he - t W' i[ Y dair's table. And, worse than all, the flame with which your red cheeks in- spired the gallant captain will go out like a candle under an extingnisber at sight of that whity-brown complexion. Say, Georgia, Mille iu coufid nco, how did you get up that high Dolor ? As you and I are such near friends you might let me know, that I may improve my own sallow countenance likewise.' No reply—the ball form was rigid— the white face cold and set—the ack oyes fixed—the pale lips mute. "Mrs. Wildair and Mrs. Colonel Glea- son used to insist it was liquid rouge, but Captain Arlingford and I know bet- ter, and told them all country girls had great flaming red cheeks lust like that. We were right, were we not, Georgia2" Still dumb. Her silence was begin- ning to startle even Freddy's admirahlo equanimity. "And now, my dear Georgia, I must really tear myself away from yon. When shall I say we are to honored by your charming presence again?" Tho white lips parted, one hand was slightly raised. "Are yon done?" she said, in a voice so husky that it was almost in- audible. Ye—yes;' said Freddy, startled in spite of herself. "I only await your an. ewer, my dear." For all answer, Georgia stepped bac' closed the door in the very face of the insolent girl, and locked it. For ono moment Freddy stood trans- fixed, while her sallow face grew sal- lower, and her thin lips fairly trembled with impotent rage. Turninga leak of concentrated spite and' hatred toward the door, she descended the stairs. "Well, Freddy," said burs. Wilder, when she re-entered the parlor, "how is Georgia 2" "Not very well, I should say, by her looks—how sho folt, she did not conde- scend to tell me," unable for ones to suppress the bitterness she felt. Richmond, who was chatting with Miss Reid and Miss Harper, started, and a faint tinge of color shone ,on his cheek. "When is she Coming down 2" asked Mrs. Wildair. "Ily dear aunt, Mrs. Georgia, for some reason of her own, saw fit to av- ower none of my questions. Sho closed the door in my face by way of reply." Richmond began' talking rapidly, and with so much empressrstnit, to kis two companions that languid Miss Reid lifted her large sleepy -looking eyes in faint wonder, and a malicious smile curled the lips of Mise Harper. A sleighing party was to be the order of the day, and, after breakfast, tho ladies hurried to their rooms to don their furs and cloaks; and Richmond, seizing the first opportunity, hurried to Georgia's room, and knocked loudly and authoritatively at the door. It did not open ; allwas silent within. "Georgia, open the door, I command you I" he said, in a voice of suppressed passion. "Open the door this instant ; I insist." •' it opened slowly, and he saw the collapsed hod haggard fame of his wife, but he Was too deeply a gry to'heed or cats for her Tooke at that .moment, Entering the room, ho clotted the door, and with a light in hie eyen;and a look in his face that, with all 'bis auger, he had never worn hitherto,he,;conftonted ker. ' • • "ltiadani, what did you mean by your conduct to my soften this' Morning 1" be said, in a tone that he had never ttsedlto her before. A spasm Abet across her face, and she cooled as if she had received a blow. "01, lliohniond 1 ok, my husband 1 do nob say that you knew of her coaxing this morning." the cried, in tonos'of each anguish as he had never heard before, "I did know it, madam. And When she was generous and forgiving enough to forget your insolent treatment, and come to ask hew you were, elle should have r a been treated. thee having the door elameied pi her face," he said, in a voice quivering with passion. Sho did not spoak—ahc could not. Dizzily she sat clown with her hauds over her heart, always her habit when her pain there was most acute, Ho know, then, of tide last deadly in- sulb—he sanctioned it—he encouraged it. Itis cousin was all the world to Lim --she was nothing. It only needed this to fill the cup of her degradation to the brim. Her bands tightened involuntar- ily over ber beart, she could not help it; elle felt as though it were breaking. "And now, madam, since you will persist in your insolent coarse, listen to me. You shall not any longer slight the guests, who do yon too much honor --yes, madam, I repeat it, who do you too much honor by residing under the same roof with yore Since my requests are unheeded, listen to my commands. Wo aro all going out to drive, in four hours we will return, and see that you are dressed and in the drawing -room ready to receive us when we come. I do not ask you to do this. I command you, and you refuse at your peril 1 Leave off this ghastly look, and all the rest of your tantrums, my lady, and try to ant the courteous hostess for once. Remember, now, and try to recall your broken von' of wifely obedience for the first time ; for, as sure as Heaven bears me, if you darn disobey you shall repent it 1 I did not wish to speak thus, but you have compelled me, and now that I have been aroused you shall learn what it is to bravo me with impunity. Madam, look up ; have yon heard me 1" She lifted her eyes, so full, in their dark depths of utter woe, of undying despair. "Yes." "Aud you will obey?" "Yes." "Seo that youdo 1 A remember, n0 more scenes of vulgar violence. Chain youe unbridled passions, and be- have as one in her sane mind for once. You shall have to take care what you aro at for the future, mistress 1" And with this last menace, he de- parted to join his guests in their gay excursion. For upward of three hours after he bolt her, she lay as she bad lain all that liveloug night, prostrate, rigid and mo- tionless. Others in her situation might have shed teats, but Georgia had none to shed; her eyes were dry and burning, her lips parched; natures like hers do not weep, in their deadliest straits the heart sheds tears of blood. She arose at last, and giddily crossed the room, and rang the bell. Her maid answered the summons. "Susan," she said, Iifting her heavy eyes, "make haste and dress me. I am . going down to the drawing -room." "What will you please to wear, madam 2" said Susan, looking at her in wonder. "Anything, auybhing, it does not mat - tor, only make haste,' she said, slowly. Susan, thus loft to herself, arrayed her mistress in a rich crimson satin, with heavy frills of lace, bound her shining black hair around her head in elaborate plaits and braids, fastened her r earrings in her all ei ruby 1 small oars, clasped a bracelet sot with the same fiery jewels on her beautiful rounded arm, and thou, filially, seeing that even the crimson satin diel not Iend a glow to the deadly pale face, she applied rouge to the cheeks and lips, until Georgia was apparently as blooming as ever before her. And all this time she had sat like a statue, like a milliner's day figure to ho dressed, unheeding, unnoticrng it all until Susan had fin- ished. "Will you please to see if you will do, ma'am," said Susan, respectfully. Georgia lifted her lauguid. eyos to the beautiful face and form, in its dark, rich beauty and fiery costume, and said, faintly : "Yes ; you have done very well. ou can go now." The girl departed, and Georgia sat with her arms dropped listlessly by her side, her heavy lashes sweeping her cheek unconscious of the flight of time. Suddenly the merry jingle of many sleigh -bells dashing up the avenue, mingled with silvery peals of laughter, broke upon her ear, and sho started to her feet, pressed her i,and to her fore- head, as if to still the pulse so loudly beating there, and then walked from the room and descended the stairs. As she readied the hall the whole party, laughing and talking, with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, flashed in,, and the next instant, like one in a dream, she felt herself surrounded, listening to them all talking at once, without com- prehendieg'a word. "Of comae she is better. See what a high color she has," said the voice of Freddy Richmond, the first she clearly distinguished amid the din. "I strongly disapprove of rouging," said Mrs. Wildair, in an audible whis- per, to Mrs. Gleason, as they 'both swept up stairs, with a great rustling of silks. "What a bewildered look she has," said Miss Harper, with a slight laugh, as she, too, brushed past; "ono would think she was walking in a dream." "Here comes Captain Arlingford, Hat- tie dear," as she tripped after her; "sero, will awake now." Poor Georgia f she did indeed feel filo one in a dream; yet she heard every jibe as plainly as even the epeakers could wish, but she replied not, "My dear Mrs. Wildair, I am rejoiced to see you again, and looking so well, too, said the frank, manly voice of Captain Arlingford, as •he shook her hand warmly. "I trust you have quite recovered from your late indisposition," "Quite, I thank 3,01,' said Georgie, trying to smile. Every voice and every ' look she had lately heard bad been se I cold and harsh that .,ler languid pulsos 1 gave a grateful bound at the honest, hearty warmth of the frank young sailor's tone. 111 Richmond Wildair had just entered in time t0 witness this little scene, and something as near a scowl as hie sereno brow could ever wear darkened it at that very moment. Well has it been said that " jealousy is as cruel as the grave," it is also wilfully blind. The very openness, the very candor of this greeting might have disarmed all suspi- cion, but Richmond Wildair would not see anything but his earnest eagerness and the smile that rewardcdhim. Coming up to Georgia, he brushed al- I most rudely past Arlingford, and, offer- ing ber his arm, he said, coldly : "You will take cold standing in this draught, my dear; allow me to lead you to the drawing -room." At his look and tone the smile died away. He saw it, and the scowl deep. tined. Planing her on a sofa he stooped over her and said in a hissing whisper in har ear: "Do not too openly show your prefer- ence for the gallant captain this even- ing, Mrs. Wildair. If you cannot dis- simulate for my sake, try it for your own. People will talk. you know, if your partiality is too public." A flash like sheet -lightning leaped from Georgia's eyes, as the insuiting meaning of his words flashed upon her; she caught hon breath and sprang to her feet, but with a bow and a smile he turned and was gone. "Oh, mercy I that I were dead 1" was the passionate cry wrung from her anguished heart at this last worst blow of all. "Oh, this is the very climax of wrong and insult I Oh, what, what have I done to be treated thus 2" How this evening passed Georgia never .mew. As Miss Harper had said, she was like one in a dream, but it was overat lac ; and, totally worn out and exhausted, she was sleeping a deep, dreamless sleep of utter prostration. Next morning, at the breakfast table, Henry Gleason suddenly called out— "Well, ladies and gentlemen, what's to be the bill of faro for to -day 2" "Somebody was talking of teaching -us to skate yesterday," said Miss Har- per. "I want to learn dreadfully. What do yon say to going down to ,that pond we were looking at and giving us our first lesson." "I'm there I" said Master Ileury, whose language was ahvays more emphatic than choice, "what do you say, all of you young shaves ?" "I second the motion for ono," said Mr. Curtis. And I for another," said Lieutenant Gleason, and a universal assent came from the gentlemen. "And what says our host ?" said Miss Harper, with a smile. "That he is always delighted to sanc- tion anything Miss Harper proposes," he said, with a bow. "And what says our hostess?" said Captain Arlingford, turning to Georgia, who, with her fietitious bloom gone, sat pale and Languid at the head of the table. That sho is afraid yon will have to bold her excused," replied Georgia. "I scarcely feel well enough to accom- pany you." You are indeed looking ill," said Miss Arlingford, anxiously ; "pray allow me to stay with you, then, as you are unable to go. out." "And me too I" sung out Henry Glea- son so eagerly that the mouthful he was eating went the wrong way, nearly pro- ducing strangulation. "There is not maul' fun in teaching girls to skate; all they do is to stand on their feet a minute, then squeal out, and flop down like a lot of bad balloons, and then get up and screech and go hood over heels again. It's twice as jolly hearing Miss Arlingford sing." Miss Arlingford laughed, and bowed her thanks for the compliment. "And may I bog to stay, too 2" said Captain Arlingford • "I am really getting quite played out with so much exertion, and mean to take life easy for a day or two, Como now, Mrs. Wildair, be merciful to Harry and mo 1" "I think you had better try to join els, Georgia," said Richmond, with no very pleased look; "the air will do you good' "Indeed I cannot," said Georgia, who was half blinded with a throbbing hoad- ache; "my head aches, and I beg you will excuse me. But I cannot think of depriving ally of you of the pleasure of going, though I thank you for your kind consideration." "Now, Mrs. Wildair, I positively shall not take a ref asai,"said Miss Arlingford, who saw that It would bo better not to leave Georgia alone with her morbid fancies. "I shall take it quite unkindly if you scud mo away. I shall try if I cannot exorcise your Headache by some inueic, and'I really must intercede, too, kr my yonng friend, .faster Harry hero, who was delightful enough to compli- ment Me a little while ago." "And wilree one intereedo for me?" said the captain. "I will," said Harry. "We three 11411 have a good time all to ourselves— beeped if'wo don't 1 Oh, Miss Ailing. -ford, you're a—a brick 1 you are sol" ho exclaimed, enthusiastically ; "and, Mrs. Georgia, I guess you'd better let Ailing. ford 'stay Ito. Three ain't ootnpaey, and fours:' • A'hd "Do, Mrs. Wildair 1" "Do, Mrs. tileorgia," clliined le Captain and Miss Arlingford laughingly. And Georgia, unablo.to refuse without positive rude- ness, smiled a faint assent. rev one instant a scowl of !midnight blab. nese lingered on the face of Rich. TOI31 CONTINUED. txj cp CD w 1 CD IJ. LJ 81.2 OQ c+c 1--r cf'N PD `✓ F- f ofq c pp.�ss 73 cD ! 6Q <i O P CO C± �.1 0 0 1.1 cD t Ft .4a • c�. 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