The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-10-20

your return rom llIlt nNlSSlOn 10 lJrcSl, /
on which sent YOU"
al told you that, but told you lic."
"Whut fOr?"
"To keep over Il resource in times of |
need. If | had told you simply the
truth-that she was alive, why could
not have come as do now, and ask for
ten thousand francs to keep silence"
"Villain, into what misery you have
plunged me-"
"You plunged yourself into the mis-
cry; didn't"
81 thought | was free. But give me
proof"
"Ilere; you know her writing"
The Count held out his hand, and TAX
ing the letter, looked down on it with .
shuddcr. When he had finished read I.
ing it look Of despair came over his
face, and he sank down, pale, and gasp
! ing for breath.
Nathalie! my childrcn!" muttcred
the Count.
"Thero is remedy for all this. Car
oine does not know that you are mar
ried. Caroline cannot come to Paris
she would dread above all to see you.
All can be rcmedied.'
In what way?'
d" BY brbe. Yes, a bribe to mo. !
have no scruplc in saying it. ! am
rascal. Society has kicked me out; but
/ must live, and make use of the means
| possess am the only creature who
knows of the existence of your"
"1Iush. Call her by no name that
links her to me-"
"Wcll, Caroline writes to me only.
All the world has forgotten her. Like
me she is an outcast. From me only
can she learn that you are the husband
of another; that"
"Ten thousand francs, did you say ?''
"Tpn thousand francs!'
"Nillain murderer! dcSpise YouW
cried The Count, striking the table with
violence, as he arose with gesture of
scorn but all ut once he sunk back
again on his seat, and, gazing up at Ma
thalie's portrait that hung on the wall,
, he hcaved deep sigh then turning to
his visitor, in changed tone he ad-
dressed him:
"IIow long will ten thousand francs
last you:"
81 may never trouble you again.
With this | intend to go to America"
"No one else knows that this woman
, still lives ?'
A." No one else. swear it, on my hon
or. | see your lips curl with scorn, but
+ | swear it by what was in the past,
when we We're companions and friends" "
The Count rose without replying, and
going to his cscretoire, wrote check for
the amount.
l "This will be paid:"
D "To any one you choose to send, on
| my honor, which | have not forfeited as
D you have yours"
/ "Ndieu, then. You can rest in peace
Nothing shall now disturb your happi-
| ness. She shall never cross your path
The Count made no reply to this; he
e scarcely seemed to hear the words that
were uttered, or to see the man leave tho
> room.
; After some moments Of thoughts thai
seemed bitter and sad, he rose and paccc
= the room.
@ "Ths is weakness! this is madness
e and vet for Nathalic's sakC-Oh! God,
= could not endure life without her; anc
then to bring blush to her check, my
/ own proud, pure Nathalie, the wife OF
n my soul. No, it shall never be, even a
the cost of my life; and now | must trI
+ and forget this horrible revelation-for
g get Il as | have need to do the past
n Nathalie must not see Il shadow on N.
brow"
G "Nho was your visitor?" said Natl!
IL allie, carelessly, ~ he re-cntcred the room
d As you said, Il petitioner that wa
ALL"
Nathalie thought no more about thi
visit. She was happy; her life ha'
e never known n shadow. Rich, place.
in the highest ranks of social life, adore
by her parents, she had married Il ma
o who inspired her with Il passion tru
# and profound. She had inspired hiu
with holy, pure, yet passionate tcndci
lc ness, that her friends called idoIatry
SO Congcniaity of soul, of mind, OF cduco
-" ton, of position, all combined to ma,
I her married life the essence of huma
Q, happiness.
She knew that in Gontran's formo
lc life there was somedark secret; she kncl
2 that it was connected with his formo
I.,I tl l,nttv,