The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-09-27

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wife and her lover"
"Realy,' l replied, I'm sorry"
} Sorry - he quickly interposed, with
a fierceness that was in strange contra.
dlction to his usually good-natured
face. There is only one thing to re-
greet, and that is, haven't yet found
the man."
"And when you meet him ?" | asked.
Il mean to kill him, of course" and
he stared at me as if he thought | was
deficient in comprehension.
"But you are not in Texas. remem-
Der that" l replied.
He merely snapped his fingers.
what are you doing?" he contin
ued, in his abrupt way.
Nothing in particular just now" ]
answered.
"Will you take short walk"
"Certainly," l replied.
Let us go where we shall see the
most people" he said.
"All right I returned. "Wem
walk on the Diguc."
'Nhat's the Digue?" he inquired.
"The fashionable sea wall prom
enade. It's about three miles in length
and some forty feet above the ocean.
All Ostend resort there
"-And we are of Ostend today at
least. Let us go" he returned.
Lighting our cigars we strolled to the
spot, that was already alive with the
representatives of both hemispheres.
1t was a gay scene, and Madison
seemed amused by the sights and
sounds that surrounded him. He
talked necessarily, but never once al
ludcd to his personal affairs. One, to
notice his buoyant spirits, would never
have supposed he had crossed the
ocean on a desperate adventure. He
was 4 well read man, and possessed a
fund OF information, Notwithstanding
he had only passed the boundaries of
few states till he came abroad. He
talked interestingly also. In short, he
was a good companion. And yet all
the while we were on the Digue | could
notice how sharply he scrutinized every
group we came upon, and that no one
appeared to escape his rapid glances.
We did not return until the time of
dinner, and we dined together.
When the meal was over he said,
"Will you come to my room? I've
something | wish to say to you. Mind,
whenever | weary you, tell me. l won't
be offended not in the least. Only
be candid. VIII you promise?,'
TO be sure I will" | replied. To
tell you the truth, l begin to be inter
csted in you, as it is not my custom to
be demonstrative on early acquaint-
ance; but, really, | like you, Madison.
You see, l am candid, as you wish
n am glad of it," he said, 'the SEN
tment is mutual, and being SO, | wish
to start in a direction that is congenial
to me. Remember, when first intro
duccd myself to your notice, l told you
| was plain man. | mean just what
the phrase conveys. ] expect to be
polite, but | do wish to be more famil-
lar with you. 1t may come awkward
with you from the start, but please try
and call me Jim, and, with your per-
mission, I'll address you as John"
''All right, " replied, well try it at
all events.
Good " he returned, and, giving
an order for 4 bottle of wine, we went
up stairs. His room was on the same
floor as my own, but it was far more
expensive. | soon learned, however,
something Of his reckless nature in
matters Of money.
''Sit down - he exclaimed, throwing
himself at the same time in a large,
comfortable chair. 81 suppose you
can guess why I've brought you here? ?"
and, before | could reply, he added,
Il in going to tell you my story"
Pushing the wine towards me, we
drained our glasses, and he began:
81 lost both rny father and mother
in early life. My uncle took charge of
me, raised me, sent me to college, and
when became of age placed me in
possession of good fortune left by
my father. Soon alter went to Texas,
never supposing | would make it my
home, but man proposes and God dis
poses fell in love there Yes ,mad-
ly in love- Bought a rancho, made
money rapidly, and married the girl
who had captivated me. | built one
of the finest residences in the state on
my place, and took my wife there to
live. I'll be as brief as possible; tell
me if | weary you, John.
go on-go on" | answered, "let
me have it all"
1--WE lived happily enough for several
years" he continued, ''but one day
there came to the place a man on
| horseback, Frenchman, who called
| himself Count Fafonte. The man was
ill, and took him in and rode thirty
miles that night to obtain physician.
If he had only died t'would have been
well. But he didn't; he got well; it
was a close call, | assure you. My
wife spoke French, and gave him a
great deal of attention. Latonte spoke
English indillercntly. He was well
supplied with funds, was 5ood-looking
and Il fine musician.
L.