Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-18

to me that means Of which you spoke"
You insist upon it7" said the Old lady. "Well.
that means Is to marry me-"
marry yout your"
"Me! / have sworn that that book should
never belong to any but my husband. Now, ir
you become my husband -"
MARY you?"
~? OH" cried Macrin, ~ accept, shall be
delighted. Is that all. An why did you no.
say 80 sooner? Marry your. Let US ge0
married at once, Mother Hovius, let US get mar
And with these words he began to dance and
smother widow Hov1uS with his kisses, until
the good lady's face became the color Of wine
lees.
XII.
On the 18th OF June OF the year 49,. Mr. Jean
Mae 5e mar msEH IN the 81 the
All day long he was pale. agitated, restless
and Impatient, for he was anxi0usly waiting
for the hour OF midnight II was at that hour,
In default OF other things. that his wife was at
last to grant him possession OF the editiO l)rfn
CPS: the sole ambition OF this strange hus-
band.
Macr1n kept looking at the clock, which ad-
vapced too slowly for his wishes At last mid
night struck. Macrin gave a joyous shout OF
victory. and selling the arm OF his bride. he
dragged her TO the nuplial chamber In mad
haste
XIII.
We'll" said the bibuomaniac, 1.-THE book.
await, my friend, walt!, said the ex-whow
HovIus
Then taking out of a drawer little key that
shone IN Macrfns eyes moment, like a star.
from It an old book bound In red.
Macrin bounded forward and snatched the
book from the hands Of his wife; then looking
at It with bis eyes lit up with a strange fire:
There IL Is! There it is!' he said, turning
over The pages greedily. Yes. this Is 1t!
L ~ des batates! and it is mine, the beau
uncut: and there, there, the date. 1898. :.
All! Madame Hovtus, Madame Hovlus, embrace
me- be am a aapp ss,o tho old o,o.n rns,,na
into the arms OF the young maniac.
They remained tor moment locked In their
embraces, alas, and then Macr1n dr1ly pushed
his wife away. and proceeded to turn over the
leayes OF the Arbre deS Bataiucs.
He could not believe bis eyes He devoured
the book, he breathed It, he kissed It. He
laughed like child. He sang, he recited verses
he spoke OF love to those printed pages.
Never for years, never had he felt such Joy. IL
was the 0pOgee OF felicity, the summit OF happi-
ness, the peak OF Joy. There was nothing left
now out 10 come down from his mountain top.
He came down.
Suddenly. in the midst Of his laughter, of his
pursts OF galety, ne uttered a cry, became terri
Oily pale, and rose brusquely. His eyes were
starting from his head. He approached e.oca
to the lamp and looked attentively at the title q
HIS hand trembled; he was In fever. He
gave loud cry, cry of anger and of grief. and
Tell heavily on the oak floor The old WON 20
sprang to bis side, took him In her arms a Id
weeping all the while, tried to restore him ID
animation by her sexagenartan caresses.
when he came to himself again he stammered
With stupid air:
Fac-Simile edition of the ediio princeDs o.
1895. published byJ. p bibltophile II. Ah! ali! ah.
The type was imperceptible. This is not the
first edition. IT Is forgery. Hovius has robbed
me! Hovius has robbed me! Robbed! Robbed,
Robbed,"
Yes then said the old woman with a
h0neyed voice, T." but remain to youn
He locked at her. She smiled at him. To-day
Mr.. Jean Macrln, who is hardly forty years of
age. Is still the husband OF the ex-WidoW
UOYtuS Who Is at least seventy.