The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-09-14

L
he did not insult her with some mention
of your name. Our parents died with
in n few months of the marriage, and
was ut the convent. There was. moth
ing to be done with her misery but en-
dure it, knowing that she owed it all L
your impotence. Can you wonder tina
she is unforglving?
He Is leaning on the small table be
tween them with folded arms and down
bent eyes, and he Is very pale. even
through the bronze of ten African sum-
ners.
IL loved her always" lie says,
almost inaudibly; then pauses; nor does
he finish his sentence, though she waits
for him to do SO.
you loved her? You could Fsot aave
wrecked her life more utterly if YOU had
hated her. Can YOU wonder that she
has grown To fear the thought of love
| that has been so cruel To her as yours
aud her husbands? Monsieur, my
| brother-in-law died two years ago-God
is so eood!' continues Lucille ticrcey.
''Since that time Jeanne has been at
peace. and she shrinks with absolute
terror from disturbing the calm which
has come 10 her after such storms. She
fears YOU. she avoids you, BECAUSE
shall tell you why?'
She can see his lips guivcr even I'M
der the heavy mustache. but he neither
speaks nor raises his eyes.
She loves YOU" murmurs Lucille,
just aloud.
He lifts his eyes now and looks nj her
dumbly for an instant; then. rising, alb
ruptly walks away.
I'll DIES DeauN ycuN mon Dieun
she thinks, with Il thrill of wonder that
Jeanne should have had the courage to
refuse him anything when they were
young together.
He comes back presently.
MY child he says. very gently,
edo not try to make me believe that,
unless you are very sure. for if once
believe it again, II
IL am rs sure rs that l live that
Jeanne has never ceased to love you.
and that YOU can force her to confess it
If YOU will make love To me-"
Il? You? You are laughing at
me-" with rush of color into his dark
face.
do you think so i'll of ,Jeannc's sis
ter?' she asks softly.
Pardon. am scarcely by self, and
cannot imagine how
Jeanne will not receive you because
she knows her own heart and is afraid
of it. She fears that YOU will destroy
the hard-won peace she values SD high
ly. But you are wealthy, distinguish
ell, the head of your name-a very diff
erent person from what you were ten
Years ago, and she can find no reason
for refusing you as my sutton if | con-
sent. and rs my chaperon she must be
present at all our meetings. You begin
To understand? Make her see that your
love is not all jealousy; make her re-
mcmber-make her regret.
"But, forgive me, when one has low
ell u woman for ten years, with q faint
smile, there is no room in onr's heart
for even prctense ut iovint":Hother."
IF there were. monsieur. should
never have proposed my plot" she re-
plies with dignity. ''Is is because |
have watched you all these weeks and
know that Your love is worthy of my
sister that trust you. But it is not
with ones heart that one pretends.
Eniin. it is with you to consent or de-
cline"
..Decliner' he echoes, with u passion
none the less intense for its quietness.
''Does u dying man decline his last
chance of life, however desperate ii may
bc?"
The next week is full of bitter sur
prises to the proud and patient woman.
whose pathetic cling to her new found
peace Lucille so well understands.
Though it is long since she has permit
ted herself TO remember anything of
the lover of her youth except his jeal-
ousy, she has believed in his faithful
ness as utterly as she dreamed il, and
when she receives DE Publishers note
asking the consent of his old friend to
his love for her sister, the pain she feels
bewilders and dismays her. With Il
smile whose cynicism is rs much for
herself Us for him, she gives the note to
Lucille expecting an instant rejection of
the man whose motives in pursuing
them they had both SD misunderstood.
But with gay laugh. Then my SYM
pathy has been all without cause" the
girl cries. ''Bv all means let him come,
my Jeanne. 1t cannot wound you who
have long ago ceased TO regret him, and
he is the best parli in Paris, and tres
tel hOm'lc for his age"
1t is quite true there can be no objec-
ton 10 the wealthy and distinguished
Marquis de Fia.S-icr II Liciiie IL WILING
none bu: the pain al her heart which
she is too ashamed even to confess To
herself. So note is written liking an
hour for his first visit. and Mime. de
Miramon prepares herself To meet the
man whom she last saw alone in all the
passionate anguish of Il lovers quarrel.
Is this wild flutter in her throat Il sign
of the peace she has resolved to poSsessp
Thank God! she can ut least promise
herself that whatever she may suffer,
neither he nor Lucille shall guess it.
There is the sound of wheels in the
courtyard, and she rises with Il hasty
glance at her fair reflection I'M the'mir
rOr.
His old fricndn' she niurmurs scorn-
fully. II dare say look an old woman
beside Lucille"
Then she turns with look of grace
full welcome, for the door is thrown
open, and u servant announces:
M. le Marquisc de Palisser."
Nothing could give me greater
pleasure than Ia receive rs my sisters
Suilor the old friend of whom the world
tells me such noble things She utters
her little speech us naturally as though
she had not rehearsed it Il dozen times,
and holds out her pretty hand to him.
To her surprise he does not take it.
How should she guess that he dareS not
trust himself to touch calmly the hand
he would have risked his life TO kiss any
time these ten years?
"You are too good madame he re-
plies very low; and she reflects that he
is, of course, a little embarrassed. 81
am afraid you had mach to forgive in
those days SO long ago, but time, l trust,
has changed me-"
1T would be sad indeed if time did
not give US wisdom and GOODNESS in cy-
change for all it takes from u.s." she
says, with quick thrill OF pain that he
should speak Of ten years as if it were
an eternity.
mot GOODNESS" he exclaims, coming
nearer, and looking at her with eyes
that make her feel girl again. IF you
could see my heart, you"
..May [ enter, my sistera" asked the
gay voice of Lucille, rs she appears
from behind the portiere at so fortunate
moment for the success of her plot
that it Is to be feared she had been
housekeeping.
De Palissier turns at once and presses
her hand to his lips.
"Mademoisclle," he says, tenderly,
81 am ut your feet"
Then begins charming little comedy