The Grange advance., 1874-06-17
AN ERROR AND ITS C0NSE.
QUENCE5.
BY II. r. c.

May, Henri Duva!, handsome youth Of
fifteen, entered tie home Of his guardian,
Monsieur de Ceran, and thro owing his
school books carelessly upon the hall table,
he rapidly ascended the stairs leading to
the library, and without knocking, opened
the door suddenly, and to his surprise
found himself not only in the presence OF
Monsieur de Ceran, but in that Of woman
of rare beauty, whose noble and lovely face
was suffused with tears.
On seeing the lad the lady uttered hall:
smotbered exclamation and was about to
rise, but at quick glance from De Ceran,
she sank upon her seat, covering her face
with her hands. Henri glanced inquir-
ingly a, his guardian.
Henri questioned De Ceran with con-
fusion, why did you enter this room with
out permission
My friend,' replied the boy frankly,
never until now have you forbid my 50
loing.'
oh, MONSIEUR exclaimed the lady, in
voice full Of entreaty, have rity!'
Not another word, madame INFER
rupted De Ceran. Il forbid you to speak,
he added, and rising quickly, he grasped
her arm, as though dreading the words she
might utter.
i will obey sou,' she murmured.
Moreover, madame,' continued the law
yer, with evident control, an explanation
is impossible to day. l have already told
you that important business demands my
immediate attention.
For the last ten years. replied the
stranger, bitterly, l have asked in vain
for an interview, but you have Teen deaf
to my prayers. You have even forbidden
the approach of your home. Through
Submission to your wishes have hoped to
obtain mercy, but it is useless, for you have
remained inexorable. To-day, monsieur,
do not come to petition, but to insist on
your listening to me-.
At the age Of twenty five Octave de Co.
ran had been one Of the most brilliant as
well as most courted young men in Paris.
At that time lie had brother, Henri de
Ceran, to whom he was tenterly attached
The love Of Octave de Ceran for Mile. Eu-
genie de Benaville, the rich heiress OF a
noble house, was generally known to lis
friends. Also, that his suit had been de-
clined by the family of Eugene, who had
other views for their daughter. When a
happier rival became the husband of Mile
de Benayille, the des pair Of Octave was
so intense that his life was endangered. By
the advice of the attending physician,
Henri removed with his brother to an estate
they possessed near Paris.
Grief is not eternal. De Ceran, wearied
Of solitude and useless regrets, at length
returned to Paris. Nothing remained Of
his unfortunate passion hut quiet melan-
choly. Soon, however, happiness was re-
stored to him hy young and lovely wo-
man, also named Eugerie. Her gentle
sympathy, musical voice, tenderness and
loveliness, soon healed the wounds that
had been inflicted, and in the rich, full
love Of Eugene Destanges, Nile. de Bena-
vile vas forgotten.
One year after his marriage Octave was
blessed with the promise that child
would soon strengthen the bond which al
ready bound him so wholly to his young
and beautiful wife. In the midst Of his
happiness sudden decline threatened the
life of his beloved brother. The physi-
clans, after long and numerous consulta-
tions, frankly acknowledged that they did
not understand the nature Of the disease,
and prescribed change of air. Placing
Eugene under the care of his mother, Oc-
tave de Ceran left Paris with his brother,
who, after one brief month of constant
suffering and delusion, breathed his last.
On the night Of Eenri's death Monsieur
de Ceran had remained alone with him
1t had been observed that during the last
eight days of his brothers. life Octave de-
ciined all assistance. His grief, moreover,
though intense, found no utterance in
words, and no tears stained his 1ale
cheeks, or moistened his troubled eyes,
AS soon as Henri was dead, Monsieur de
Ceran, much to the surprise Of every one,
scarcely had issued orders for the burial,
ere he started for Paris. apparently in a
state of Indifference. From that hour a
profound mystery vailed Octave's life. Two
or three days after his return to Paris he
left for Italy, accompanied by Nine. de
Ceran, and for seven long years no tdings
were received.
Time passed. At length the parents of