Middletown transcript., 1869-06-12

age was the same, and the intercourse be-
tween the two young people conducted
without change in any respect, except
that the " Monsieur" and " Mademois-
ellie" disappeared neither knew how, and
Marguerite" and Henri" took their
places.
Beauvallon was absent all that day, but
only occasionally in the evening. Mar
guerite occupied his chamber, the thres-
hold of which he had never crossed after
the evening he brought her in apparently
dying. Henri slept on the lounge in the
outer, or dining-room. Once Marguerite
demonstrated at his permitting her to in
commode him, and said now she was we'll
she had best 80 away and relieve him of
annoyance. This was met with calm
smile, and "a" "Mademoiselle, have you
ceased to trust me?' So naughty, yet at
the same time, so like brother speaking
to froward younger sister, that it was
never repeated Marguerite was domina-
ted; put under spell by this man. One
look in her face showed that she was a wo-
man of proud spirit and powerful will;
but in the presence of Beauyallon she was
to have will of her own.
In the most matter of fact way, and with
manner which permitted no remon-
STRANGE, he supplied all her wants. He
brought her books and flowers; and trades
people brought her clothes In a little
while the pale emaciatcd girl of the street
had disappeared, and in her place was a
strangely quiet, self possessed woman, with
all the unmistakable evidences about her
of high breeding, and the habit Of society.
One day Beauvallon did not return with
the evening. When he did, it was after
midnight. He entered the outer room and
closed the door behind him very softly A
light was still burning in it, but Margue-
rite had gone into her chamber, the door
of which was but half closed.
As Beauvallon crossed the room to close
it entirely, he heard the murmur of Mar
guerite's voice. She was praying, and
his name mingled with her prayer.
He paused and extinguished the light
in the dining-room, and approached the
door of her chamber. Her reileuise, or
night lamp, threw feeble glimmer through
the room, but he could see that, still
dressed as he had left her during the day,
she was kneeling in prayer beside her bed.
But she was praying in anguish of soul.
She was praying to be protected against
herself Groaning, and wringing her
hands, she murmurcd, "Oh, mon Dieu,
mon Dica! Save me-saye him-I love
him-I love him-He is noble and true
but I, oh, mon Ditu! [ am woman
He respects me. If | were queen, or his
sister, he could notserve me with gent
Ter, purer reverence But love him-I
love him-I cannot bear it; some day I
shall go mad. Oh, Holy Virgin, Mother
of Sorrows, pity me-help me! When he
speaks I must answer in monosylables, or
1 should betray myself. When he looks
at me l dare not meet his eye, for he
would divine me. 1t cannot last. 1t is
torture. Some day shall throw myself
into his arms, and tell him my love. And
then-then he may spurn me. After that,
only that bridge and the swift waters of
the Seine, as | saw it that night, when
like coward dared not die, but crawled
away in the street to perish of cold and
hunger. God help me! God help me |"
and went and lay down upon his sofa. A
strange smile was on his face as he dropp-
ed asleep. But it was some time before
he slept, and he was not at all an ordina-
ry man.
AT breakfast the next morning Beauyal-
lon said to Marguerite:
"Put on your hat and shawl. 1 wish
ysu to make visit with me"
She looked at him with surprise, for she
had never left the hotel since the night he
''IIe has found occupation for me. He is
wearicd of me at last. Even his beneyo=
lence is tired out am nothing to him
but an object of charity, to whom he has
discharged duty. Now he means to be
rid of me; to put me where l can earn my
own living And l love him; | worship
hin. He does not know it. He never
shall know it. L can die; but | will not
degrade myself. No, he shall never know
All this flashed through heart and brain
in second, as she rose, apparently calm
and unmnved, and went into her room.
Directly she returned dressed for the
street.
Beauvallon took up his hat, and they
went out Neither spoke word
! A short and silent walk brought them
to the Mayors office. Beauvallon mo-
toned to her to enter. She hesitated for
an instant, and a spasm of doubt and ter
ror passed through her. Had all this care
heen hnt the cold co1culafion of somo row.
olutionary agent? Was this man whom
she had loved, whom she had fanoied per-
feet, nothing but brutal spy, who had
maintained her so long only as butchers
fatten beasts, to kill at last? 1t could not
be. Had not Ropespiere fallen? Was
not the reign of terror over? And then
his face was calm and noble as ever.
Whatever his motive it must be good.
So she bowed and entered.
"Monsier le Mare," said Beauvallon to