The Duvenger Curse.

We followed her through halls and up stairs , and around Avinding passages silently ; as the great door SAvung open , Ave entered the haunted chamber . The moonli ght fell through the latticed casement in checkered squares upon the floor , and in the oak was a dark spot , it might have been a vein in the Avood , but they said it was the stain of blood which Avould never Avash out . There

Avas something so weird in the sumptuous old chamber that no one felt inclined to speak loud . Louis and Nip stood off in the shadoAV softly Avhispering , ancl his Avife watched thep for a time , uneasily , ancl then proposed a return . We never went there for pleasure again .

The days fleAV dreamily by ; the whole atmosphere seemed saturated Avithromance , and its influence Avas strongly felt by all of us . One person alone never joined us ; but often , if Ave happened suddenly to enter the salonalways dark ancl cool in

, the hottest weather , the white figure of Artemise Avould rise from some sofa , and glide silently from the room . " What is the matter Avith her , " I asked once of Isabel .

" An unhappy marriage , I believe , " Avas the reply . " I don't think she is quite in her right mind . " " Do you believe in the Duvenger curse ?" I asked .

" I have some trace of the old famil y superstition , " she ansAvered ; " you know my only bi'other was drowned . Louis is the last of his name , ancl if he never has a son . the curse perishes Avith him . " The old toAvn Avas full , of curiosities , and

Ave had something to keep us busy constantl y . Once I found a rcera avis . It Avas one warm afternoon Avhen Louis and Nip had gone out for a drive , and his wife Avas in a frenzy of rage . I put on my hat and left the house , but finding the streets unbearable from the heat that came up from the flag pavements , I stepped into a shoe-store . While I stood there a crash of

music sounded from over head , and a Avonderful voice began to sing . It Avas the shoemaker ' s daughter , and he told me I mi ght go up . I did so , and found a young girl of fifteen , one AVIIO had been educated at the convent , and hardly kneAv of another Avorld than that which lay in St

. Phili ppe . She knows of it UOAV though , lor she has since become the protege of a 1 rinia Donna and will make her debut in

Europe next year . I must have stayed an hour , and when I Avent out I met James Fairfax sauntering gloomily along . He joined me and we turned homewards . " What Avere they all doing when you left 1 " I asked . " I don ' t knoAV" he answered" only

, , that Hathaway Avas reading poetry to Miss Duvenger clown by the fountain . " Nip or Isabel , Avhich ? I said to myself ; then aloud , "We can easily see IIOAV that will end . " " The man is playing an unworthy part "

, Avas the reply , ancl further than that Mr . Fairfax refused to say . We found them still by the fountain Avhen Ave returned home . Isabel all in Avhite , Avith a black lace scarf throAvn around her , sitting in the grass , leaning

OA'er the marble basin , with her hand in the ., water . Mr . Hathaway at her feet , stretched out at full length , resting on his elboAV , his hat off and his Avavy black hair lifted from his forehead by the Avind . The book he had been reading lay closed beside himancl his eyes Avere resting on her face .

, Just behind the fountain , a dark shadoAV in the picture , stood Adrienne LeFevre . What had she to do Avith the destiny of those two 1 Louis ancl Nip just then drove up , ancl had to take a round scolding , which he bore in silence , ancl she with

laughing indifference . One day Ave started off for a picnic on a lull six miles distant . Two gentlemen Avho Avere often at our house , were invited to join us , to make the party even , and when Ave came to start Ave found four

vehicles at the door , tAVo barouches , a phaston and a buggy . "ITOAV shall Ave arrange it 1 " said Josie . " Louis and Henriette , ancl John and I can go in one barouche . Isabel I know has a fancy for the phteton—" " jAiid I prefer the buggy" spoke up

, Adrienne ; " and you are the only one who can drive the horse , " smiling at Maurice Hathaway . " That just does it , " said Josie ; " James will , of course , go in the phaeton with Isabel . "

So Mr . Fourier ancl Nip , Mr . LeGrand and I stepped into the other barouche ancl drove away in the merriest of spirits . That clay on the hill is one to remember . The sunlight was so golden , the trees and grass so green , and we all seemed to reflect