Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-13
Galfs airo Sketfbes.
A DECoRous DEATH.
EMILE ZoLA.

age. Blue blood runs in the counts
veins. His family is one of the most an
Gent in France. Yellow gold lies in tn
counts Golfers. His fortune is one of the
largest in France. Honors are heaped
upon the counts head. He is member
Of the Academy, deputy, patron Of the
arts.
The Countess Mathilde de verteuil is
thirty-six. Blonde is the Countess Ma
thilde-blonde ard beau ifil. Age does
not wither her. Her rounded shoulders.
her satiny skin, her golden hair, her star
~ eyes-all these make the matronly
beauty OF the countess the envy Of young
er rivals.
The verteuiI household is thoroughly
respectable one. Dame Rumor- tongue
never ways concerning it. Their mar
rage had been one Of the eminent good
taste. said the world-both wealthy. both
of good family. And then they had lived
as husband and wife for nearly six years.
And then their two chiIdren-ferdlnand
in the army. and Banche-had so well
brought up. And they had married
Blanche very we'll. 1t is true. they no
longer affect the sentimental husband and
wife. But what Of that If each mas a
separate suite Of rooms in the Eerteull
abode, do they not treat each other with
the utmost courtesy? They are perfect
models Of department, and nothing eau
be said against either.
One night madame returns from ball
at two O'Clock. She is fatigued, il Mad
anne Mathilde. As her maid disrobes her.
she says:
The count. madame. is somewhat I'M
well this evening"
The countess yawns. "Ab. she muir
murs Then az she extends her form be-
meath the luxurious coverlet, Wake me
at ten tomorrow, Julie, The modiste is
coming"
At break fast the next morning the count
does not appear. Madame is concerned.
She sends TO inquire after his health. The
count is desolated he presents his ex-
cuses to madame, but he cannot quit his
chamber. She will herself see the count.
She enters. She finds him in bed, cx-
tremely pale, but extremely trim. He is
perfectly respectable invalid. The
room shows no vulgar signs of disorder
no walls scattered around no furniture
misplaced. Three physicians are whisper
ing in a corner and two well trained do
mestics move noselesslv about the room.
This IL no common invalid-it is my lcrd
the Count of Verteui who lies abed. This
is not your low and plebian sickness
il is illness. trim, and proper and cere-
monious illnss. which is here.
you are uuwell, see. my dear" says
the countess. II hope it is nothing dan
gerous ?'
The count smiles feebly-a somewhat
strained smile.
mot Mt all. :" he answers with an effort.
"All need is rest and quiet. am sorry
to have put you to so much trouble"
The days pass. The chamber remains
Us ever. well arranged. The SNUG and
shaven faces of the servants are express
sionless. Nothing is changed-nothing
save the master. And he lies at deaths
door, and he knows it. Physicians shall
not dole out weak patitudes to the Count
de Verteuil. But sometimes. as he lies
staring grimly at nothing. the counts
face shows WEAKNESS.
In the world of fashion the countess tells
her friends that her husband is little in
disposed" She could not say that he was
more. for Madame Mathlde has not
changed her life. Rides. drives. balls and
parties make up the round. But never
theless. morning and evening the
countess dutifully visits her husbands
chamber:
Better. | hope. to-day. my dear Pr
n little better. think. my dear Ma
thilde."
III you wish it my dear. | will stay
with you"
Thanks but it is unnecessary. II would
only fatigue you uselessly. Thanks. very
much. nevertheless.
They understand each other perfectly.
They have lived apart The count would
die apart. lie enjoys n certain bitter
egotism in thus quitting life alone. with
out the comedy of sorrow being played
at his bedside. And he will die with dig
nifty, will the count. as should man of
the world.
The sick man is growing weaker. his
breath more labored. He knows he will
not see the morning sun. So this evening
when the countess pays her habitual visit
he says with & faint smile:
e--better-not-to 90
OUT this-evening. my-dear. lam
not--very-well."
The count Is considerable even in bis
weakness. He would spare her the Cos
sip of the world, were she seen abroad
the night he died. The countess appre-
ciates his courtesy. She stays at home.
The physicians remain in the sick man's
chamber. The countess sends for the
children Blanche and Ferdinand. and the
three install themselves at the counts bed
side. Now the forms are complied with
the count can die.
But he struggles to repress himself. He
would avoid convulsive vulgar death
scene. He stiles his rafting breath. And
when he finds himself going. he turns to
his wife and children. kisses them. The
domestics are much moved. When his
wife would speak to him. he motions her
from him with feeble gesture.
The moments pass away. There is NO
movement in the silent form with its face
against the wall. One of the physicians
leans towards it.
''All is over" he SAYS. as he closes the
dead mans eyes.
The Count de Verteuil has died. as he
wished. alone.
.
The morning Of the funeral the Vertcuil
mansion il filled with Borrowing friends
The son aud son-in-law of the count receive
the guests with the mute politeness of af-
fiction. And the mourners at the counts