Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-11-09

of the agony of hundreds, and then Es-
teIle remembers nothing.
When next she opens her eyes and
gazes round her, who is it their glance
encounters! Her husband; yes, Henri
Vergennes, and with a shrek she turns
away. Then she tries to recall what has
happened; she tries to account for his
presence there but in vain, Eer brain is
still full of confusion, and dull pain
numbs all her faculties. 1t is Henri's
voice rouses her at last. He came tow
ards her; He is leaning over her.
"Estelle,' he says, scan you rise; it
is necessary we should reach Paris to-
night"
'Paris! You" murmured Estelle
"Do you remember nothing -
"Why are you here?'' said Estelle,
evading the question.
q will tell you all. l was on the
train in which you were, when
"Oh !" exclaimed Estelle, '' remem-
Der now the horrible crash, the screams,
oh. where" but here deep color came
into her pale face, and she buried her head
in her pillow.
| Octave Seran is dead" said Henri,
in cold, calm voice; "you believe are
uninjured l am not here to reproach you,
this is not the time, but TO save my honor
and yours. Your flight was known to
none; you must return with me your
guilt will be thus forever hidden to all bu:
me, and l shall keep the secret for my
own sake
.'What if l will not return o.
g have not thought of that, because
you will return"
"Will you take a faithless wife back
again beneath your roof -
90 Rise, Estelle, am your husband; |
will be obeyed, and answer no more vain
questions we must be in Paris tonight
we must be together tomorrow at broth
er's wedding; there is no time to lose
the tram starts IN an hour. In All hour
| shall come and take you, be ready"
Estelle, as soon as she was alone, threw
herself down on the bed, and wept bitter
ly she had the crime of murder on her
conscience yes, Octave had died for her ;
why had she not died, too. At that mo-
ment it seemed 10 her she had never loved
any one but Octave. For Henri she had
the most profound contempt, Forgive a
faithless wife forgive her ? take her back
to his bosom she dispised him. Still
she felt she would be compelled TO obey
him, and drying her tears, with dogged
resolution she began her preparations
Henri found her ready, and without an
other word, drew her arm through his,
and led her to the train.
Once again Estelle is beneath the roof
she thought to have left forever-back to
her home honored as she was. Her hus-
bands sister is there waiting for her. She
speaks of Henri's absurdity IN taking his
wife on SO hurried a journey; she asks
details of the terrible accident. Henri
never leaves the room, and under the in
fucnce of his firm, cold eye she contrives
to give coherent answers.
At last they are alone ; then Henri bids
Estelle listen to him.
g Madame" he says, it is right you
should understand your position. l have
saved you-brought you back for the sake
of my reputation and for your sake"
"You cannot think | shall love you,' -
said Estelle with contempt
- Madam continued Henri, with a
cold, sarcastic smile, women of light vir-
tue, women like yourself are to plentiful
in Paris for me TO ask your love You
are here merely as the representative of
my honor. Because have sworn to pro-
tect you, L saved you from the ignominy
into which you had thrown yourself; /
was prepared to take you at any cost from
your seducer death saved me the trouble.
by the way, that you may not there Is a
trick on my part, here is an account OF
the accident in this paper. you will find
his name in the list Of the dead Madame,
you are the mistress of my house; you
are TO the world, to our friends, even to
my family, all you were before; and
mind, that neither by word, or look deed
you betray the past.
"You scorned and neglected me, Henri,
when [ was faithful to you-when L loved
you-now do you think me SO base as
not to dispise -"
{" Madame" said Henri, allow me
TO conclude you have heard my first
with regard to ourselves. To me alone,
of all the world, you are not wife; you
are a woman who has forfeited all esteem
and all respect to me alone you are the
mistress of Octave Seran, and as such a
woman shall / look on you and treat you
Never speak to me when there is no wit
nesses you will know nothing OF my in
| terests, nothing of my feelings, nothing OF
| ANYTHING that CONCERNS me You have