The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-07-16
A FRENCH TRAGEDY.
The Dreadful Mystery of the PalatiaI
Chateau I.eontine.

Chateau l-eontsne.
In the outskirts of the town of Be-
sancon, France, embowered in stately
trees and reached by neatly-graveled
paths and carriageways. stands the
Chateau Leontine. It's deserted now.
The windows and doors are closed.
The harsh cry OF the lonely peacock
falls discordantly upon the ear, and
were it not that the butterflies skim
so wearily over the waters of the arti-
fetal pond that can be seen in the dis
tance, and that the grass is kept
trimmed and paths neatly tended, the
whole aspect would be that of a
dreary and lonely place.
Twoyears ago the Marquis Gregoire
Leontine left the chateau, saying he
would never return, but also left be-
hind hims strict orders that hegrounds
should never be allowed to 60 to ruin.
The cause OF this resolve was TRACE
dy which for long while baffied the
skill of the most astute Partisan de-
tectives, and was only discovered by
q confession. Three years before that
time theMarquls Leontine had brought
to the castle his newly-wedded bride,
Heloise. She was an Alsatian, a blonde
of blondes, with long, sunny hair that
rippled in tumultuous waves over her
fair white shoulders and bust. Her
lips were full and ruddy, her nose aqu-
line, and her great, lustrous, blue eyes
had in them an alternate expression
of laughing merriment and languishing
criticism that at once captured the
susceptible young Marquis Leontine,
and, although she was comparatively
poor, he laid hot siege to her heart
and won it after an ardent courtship.
The wedding took placein Alsace, and
after a brief wedding tour the young
couple came to the chateau at Besan-
con. There were grand times at that
homecoming, and for month ormore
the happy bride and groom were the
center OF attraction. Each day claim
ed the attendance at some fete of the
happy bride and groom, and the
stately beauty of Heloise was the talk
of all the country round about. The
Marquis was the happiest of men, and
his wife the most contented of women
-tor a woman is always contented
when she is the center Of admiration.
Her devotion TO her husband was
marked on all occasions, and one
mark of it was that at all times she
wore around her neck one ofthe choic-
est of the gifts he had bestowed upon
her before their marriage. This was a
large gold locket, set with costly stones,
in the center OF which was her mono
gram set in diamonds and surmount-
ed with a coronet of opals. 1t was
held by massive gold chain; and as
it rested on ser heaving bosom the
gems flashed and sparkled with each
pulsation. More precious to her, how
ever, was a medallion portrait OF the
Marquis, which was under the cover
of one side of the locket, and lock of
mis- black hair under the other
A year had passed, and there came
to visit at the chateau Henri Merville,
q cousin of Heloise. and his wife
Beatrice. Henri, although not
handsome man-for his red hair and
gray eyes prevented all ideas OF good
Ekoks-possesse many charms of
manner, and proved an agreeable ac-
QUESTION to thesociety at the chateau.
His wife was somewhat ola nonentity.
She was pretty, after fashion, de-
voted to her husband, and very Jealous
of him.
Henri and Heloise had known each
other from childhood, and Beatrice
would hardly have been expected to
be Jealous of HeIoise, but sometimes
there came q balefuI look into her
dark eyes as she saw the two walk.
ing togeJner IN the siiru555r 5 = and
watched how friendly and confidential,
even tender, their intercourse seemed
to be.
Six months had passed and the Mer-
viIles were yet visitors at the chateau.
One day the Marquis had important
business to transact IN Paris and
asked Merville to accompany him,
adding that they would dine at the
club. return to Besancon by late
train, and have the carriage meet
them at the depot. The programme
was carried out, and shortly after l.
o'clock at night the two men drove up
to the door Of the chateauin excellent
spirits.
Nine. Meryille stood in the open
doorway awaiting them. Her face
was ashen pale, her manner nervous
and excited She advanced hastily
to Leontine, and asked huskily:
aHaye you seen Heloise?
ssSeen Heloise" exclaimed the Mar
ouis in surprise. "Why, Henri and 1
have Just come up from Paris. How
In the lame of goodness could see
her?v
BE calm, Gregoire you will require
All vonr courage, Heloise has gone
.sGone! Gone where? This is some
Joke, / suppose. Perhaps she has
gone to visit some of the neighbors."
Perhaps SO; but listen. She and
took stroll in the shrubbery this
morning. / lett her at noon to return