The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-07-29

At this instant the Countess de F.
appeared upon the threshold of the bou
\ doir, and tho three friends grew NOR
composed. -
The Countess had also been educate,
at the same institute, and had know
the friends in their youth.
II was looking for you,n said MADAM
de F, "and felt very sure that woul
find You together. still as inseparabl,
as ofold, l seeW
"Yes," responded Madam Beau
champs, "and will ever remain 30,
trust"
"Of what were you speaking as en-
tered, of Jollivet, our dancing master, o
poor old Rlbadeau, who used to try t,
| teach US to draw, and who so patientl,
| suffered all our teasing? Come, tell me
for delight in chat over old times"
1--WE were speaking Of you, dear Eu
genie," replied Madam Laramie, slight,
blushing at the want Of truth in hel
words, yet anxious to avoid q confession
OF the true subject.
"Indeedl Well, that's delightful; wha
We're you sayingW
"That you seem happy"
"Then l but seem what / indeed am
exclaimed the countess, her dark eyes
sparkling with joy.
"At least one OF the four is happy
thought Estelle; "this is about the social
proportion"
"But," continued the countess, "you
must not isolate yourselves from the
dance, or my ball will lose a great at.
traction; 80 If in ten minutes more do
not lind you all three in the dancing
room, Will return and have you carried
there by force" With these words the
countess disappear
"Heaven be thanked" said Madam
Laramie, "she does not suspect the ma.
ture Of our interview, As Others. sne
believes my husband to be travelling in
Germany, and little dreams that we are
separated now and forever"
"She Is happy" sighed Estelle; "it
seems unkind, and yet l wish she was
as miserable as myself. Cruel as it NAV
seem, l envy her her happiness. Why
should she be happy and l wretchedW:
"Ah, Esteile, poor, forsaken one, guard
against Jealousy; remember / am the
victim Of another's jealousy,D responded
Nine. Laramie. "During four years.
every action Of my life, every word ut
tered. every gesture made, was deemed
crime. loved society, balls and the
aters; these renowned, and sacrifice
AFTER sacrifice was made uncomplain.
ingly to calm the tyranny that ruled me.
The more humble and submissive i be-
came, the more suspicious my husband
grew. When could no longer restrain
my tears, owing to my Wretehedness, l
was accused OF weeping tor an absent
lover. II, on the contrary, l was gay, it
was because lexpected lover to return,
and was filled with rejoicing. If / ex.
pressed wish to 60 out, | had rem
dezVous to keep; and so time wore on.
until l found myself filed with envy for
the fate of Desdemona, in which there
was at least release"
~ such be the case" resumed Madam
gu Pres, why DO you regret SO misera-
"Do you not understandw responded
her companion. "Had / borne my suf-
teYing might, in time, through patience
and endurance, have brought my hus-
band to repentance, and led him to AM
plore pardon"
"And you, Pauline, why do you de-
plore your resolution? Was it to be ex-
pected that you would be willing to be
q mute spectator OF the ruin OF your in
terestsW
"Perhaps not, and yet regret the
step. As l had no children 1 should
have hesitated to come before the tribu-
nal OF justice, and cast shame upon his
name, exposed his vices and denounced
his faults. That name, although tar
nished, l still bear; besides, he yet gam.
bles, and what end may not now be Ills.
since exposure has robbed him OF all
self.respect. More than once have been
forced at heavy sacrifice, 10 redeem his
debts, fearing q dire result, and vet we
are forever parted. Had been silent. Il
might still have hoped much from timei'
"You have heard us both," continued
Madame Laramie; 'sbelieve me, when /
tell you, Estelle, that l am convinced
that God reunited us this evening, that
our tate might serve as warning to
you."
"No," responded Estelle du Pres, firm
ly. 81 do not believe it,"
"You are, then, deaf to our entreat-
iesW
sIam."
"You repel our earnest prayers~
81 do," resumed Madame du Pres, 81
am weary OF the role imposed upon me.
While l am here with you, what thought
is given me by Paul du Pres? Does he
know that l am absent from the ball
room? He is not here to watch me, No.
am determined to ayenge myself.n
"Avenge yourseltP"
eyes. fully and entirely. I have re-
solved that Paul du Pres shall be dis
"Be silent, for heavens sake," whis.
pered Pauline, clasping her hands.
Will not" continued Estelle. "Here.
upon my bosom, carry letters, avowals
Of his love for another, of tender and pas
,ionate devotion. In their written words
have found a fitting instrument to work
)ut my revenge"
"You must destroy those letters, or
swear, by your every hope in heaven,
never to use them," exclaimed Madame
Laramie.
II will do NEITHER" was the firm re.
,ponse.
"What, then, do you propose doing?"
added Louise.
Gas have said, to expose this love.
Before eight days have elapsed the hus-
)and Of the woman / SO hate shall re-
,eive from me these letters.D
"Surely you will pause before taking
'uch STEP"
"You are mistaken. I have sworn to
10 this act Of justice to myself"
AS Estelle said these words, Madam
Laramie arose and carefully closed the
loor Of the boudoir, and then returned to
Ter friend.
"Listen to me-" dear Estelle," she con.
inueu. "Have you childrenT'
eyes, one, d daughter"
sis your father aliveW
UHa jsU