New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-02


and his wife and those children OF his were mis-
erably poor people living at Tours Our of kindness
OF my brother J arranged that nv elder son, the
Comte de Maupas, should marry that girl Marguer-
ite, though never cared for herto my eyes she al
ways had misfortune written on her tace. But my
son admired her, and he was willing enough. She
was mere child then. Well, they were betrotbed,
and then the war broke out, and my son Leon went
straight to tho front and was killed in the first bat
tie. Do you understandP
Perfectly, madame said Frank gravely.
The story improves it goes on. After that, in
the winter, We arranged that my second son. Coles
tin, should marry Marguerite. ! did it all out of
in the army He was killed in the spring in the
last BATTLE
frank could.not restrain slight shiver. There
was something quite awful In the Comtesse's sharp
voice. her cold eyes, her air Of repressed excitement
with quick nervous little movements of her two thin
hands
After that she said, you would have thought
perhaps. tley might have had tho decency to seId
the girl to o convent. But no she must make q
good match in spite of everything. They waited
only two years, and then they arranged marriage
tor her with Jules de Marigny He looked as strong
and handsome as yourself. But knew he would not
ltve-whY should he, when my sons died A week
before the marriage he out shooting and he shot
himself by accident-accidentv
Madame de Maupas raised her voice almost to q
scream and ended this part OF her story with little
shrill laugh, which made Frank feel colder than
ever.
Good she said, going on more quietly Now we
come to the fourth, to GregOire de Ia Massellere
He was only three years ago-for, let me tell you,
people talked about all this and saw plainly that it
would be tempting Fate to ally themselves with
such an unucky young person. But this worthy
man had been abroad for some years in the colonies
Il don't know where. He came home to lind a
wife. lie had plenty OF money and some brains
He saw Marguerite and proposed for her at once to
her father. OF course he was accepted, they were
only too glad. lie came to this house, where my
dear relations. were living with melt IS my house.
monsieur, and not my brothers at all-and they
lodged him In this very room. never SEQ visitors
Since my great griets have avoided all strangers
rave lived alone as you know enough Df f g6 ene
fat man stumping about in the garden one summer
evening, looking so prospetous and contented that
felt sincerely sorry Tor him. Why should this poor
creature die too said to myself. knew very well
that Marguerte's history would not be told to him.
unless told it. made up my mind to save him. II
he chose to be saved. came to him IN the night, as
/ come to you now. My dear monsieur, terrified
that poor sheep 80 utterly out OF his senses that be
fed from Maupas the next morning, and wrote from
Paris to my brother to say that he had changed his
mind about marrying. Heavens, how | laughed
when the baron came to mo with the letter in his
handV -
Frank listened with the deepest attention to oil
this Tho history of NJ. de Ia MasselIere seemed to
do him good for when it was finished he was sInil-
well said Madame de Maupas, looking at him
hard.
'Madame'
Well have You been lstcningi Do you under
Il have listened to every word but you must ex-
cuse me il cannot tcel sure Of your object
NV object! / had no llea EngllSnnlcn WeTc 80
dull. To save yOu Of course. as saved GIegoiro de
10 Nasseliere.'
You really hope. madame. to find me such das-
tardly coward rs NJ. dc In Massellere-that poor
sheep as you Justly call him EnRlishmen are dull
no doubt. Tiny don't understand being expected 10
behave dshouOrably.'
All, indeed! Then you Will not give up my
nieceP
Frank cOorod scarlet. and spoke with almost sub
lime energy Afterward he was half-amused. half
grieved at himself. for having iOwn out IN TINS
manner 10 poor old mad woman. Madame dc
Maupas SCENE deeply impressed. She got up. Iem
bling a little, and leaning on her stick.
Very well. Please yourself. do not wish to see
you again. You are very ungrateful. and no doubt
there is bitter punishment IN store iOL y0n' i9n
also will die, and your Crath will break the girls
heart | understand tbot she cares for you moro
than foT any of them. wish you good evening"
She departed by the Ta. she had come through
" hch led u bor own part OF the mousse FRANK
opened the doors for her. aud shut and locked them
his clair before the red smouldering fire. to muse
over the strange explanation OF his marguerite
sadness.
Albert kept his word. and tho next day after
breakfast Frank found himself left alone IN the
salon with Marguerite. lie poured ont his FEELINGS
with the demonstrating ca1dor natuTai 10 NM Tny
English lover seemed to her Charming ana wonuer-
full creature /: perhaps little wild and unmanage-
able. "a
amazingly happy-if only things would go Wen;
The shade OF the past still clOuded her eyes and
saddrned her smilo.. Could any mortal man be mas
tel OF FateS Certainly II anyone, Frank Morley;
1 know you think me very sad ana stupld,' sne
said by and by. Believe ne, have had GOOD t,d
deal to make me Only take care OF yourself aud
shall forget l. all presently,
Am in any danger, then p said Frank.
no: not any real dangeri But think VIC are
az u n. s vd family Perhaps some day may Dc
Tell me now, can't Won't But in the meantime
You need hardly wear mouInn Tor me IN prosper,
Marguerite. I have not the smallest intention OF
diving at present
his fingers aS he spoke. $500,
never to have allowed il. | ought never to have
said yes | ought to have cared more-ah, Frank,
| have been selfish, and seliishness Is sure W be
Nonsense! What are you afraid Of y said Frank,
gazing earnestly into her face; She shook hcr mead
and looked down. Then she lifted her eyes AGAIN
with little ar Of proud resolution. ~
| will tell YOU she said, AMI then you VIII oe
warned. perhaps. and go away. You onght 10 ha ,
known il all before; you have been dTetTed ii, os
think what was doing, but now know. FRANK,
thought it would be easier to die than 10 tell you
all the story; but nov TiIi Tor YOU are gE rn
yourself ignOrantly. ANA L Will not nave C' 1ou
are too dear and generous. ,
Frank smiled as ne listened and watched her face
q think you are disturbing youISei "'ou' N''A
ing my dear child he SAID -, ~, .o,, that 70
Indeed am not. All, you would not say that IL
You knew what pain it il to me, how all the Ola pam
comes back Only this is fifty thousand times WORSE
because do believe -, IT,
THAT Won love me, and | love you Frank lin
ished her speech Tor heI should say that made
fifty thousand tiucs better. strikes me you doh
quite understand the force OF what you are say ny
Under those circumstances ia it likely that should
give YOU up. whatever you might have to tell me !
listen. You are like some princess IN ialry taie
who put all her lovers to death If they COULDN'T an
sger q certain question: What Is my thought IKE
Don't you knowi Well lots OF them came 70 AN an
untimey end, hut at last the right pan came anu
different. You asked it me one morning as you
Went out of that door, and would not stop to hear
the answer, because you knew u Wouid De ine @
Frank spoke very deliberately, with coO rea-