The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08

lessor TO himself "How could he try to defend
the greatest evil-doers the world has ever sesnan
And he recalled with shudder that he had
solemnly vowed that Coste should never hear
from his lips the word that alone would induce
him to inter- the house again.
One morning old Pascal came to the Colonel
Monsieur" she said piteousy, what have
you done to my poor masterk He scarcely
touches his food He does not sleep, he sits the
whole day in his study without opening book,
without touching pen, and will no one.
speak with no He is wasting away. Mons
ieur. what have you done to hint Save my poor
masteri"
The old soldier was in no way too proud to
talk with Pascal with equal He told her
everything.
..And you see, Pascal he concluded, .I have
sworn by my honor and happiness that I will
enter his house until he has admitted his
wrong-and | cannot break my oath"
Monsieur, a sinful oath, sworn in anger is
not binding" answered the kdevout old woman.
Ask the priest. even go to the bishop himself
they will release you from this unholy OATH
But the Colonel only shook his head.
NO Pascal, you do not understand" he said.
Il have sworn by my honor. and no priest can
recall my words"
Tears stood in his half blind eyes He looked
wretched and pitiable. but he spoke with such
frmness that she saw her pleading was of no
avail.
A month passed without bringing any change
in the situation. The singular strife
topic of conversation throughout the town. but
no one felt called upon to act peace-maker.
Then the Professor, after obtaining special
permission went away earlier than usual on
his summer vacation trip. For ten years Coste
had been in the habit of accompanying him.
The two had been together in Paris in the
Pyrenees and in Switzerland They had en-
joyed themselves imm eDsely everywhere. But
this time the Professor travelled alone. He
wanted first to Paris-and from there-he
knew not whittier he would GO He wished to
get away from Montpelier He could stand it
longer.
The Colonel stood at the window of his room,
concealed behind the curtains. when the cab
drew up at his neighbours house he felt as il he
were choking. His dry eyes burned as if with
fire. when he saw the Professor bowed and tot
tering come out of the house and enter the
withered hands, and wept. But he found a sort
of relief in the fact that his lost friend was
longer near him. For several days ne wandered
gloomy and meditetive up and down the garden,
where no one disturbed Or regarded him. Then
certain calmness came over him. and one
morning. soon after rising, he wrote the follow
ing letter.
Dear Isdor-I have decided to leave Montpelier and
settle in Algiers. There shall find my old regiment
and some old comrades, with whom shall live They
cannot replace that which have lost, but with them
fore 60 away never to see you again wish that we
might meet once more as in the good old time will
therefore make this propositions Write me on the
ceipt of this letter and appoint place of meeting in
Paris. Then will run about the great city
each other good night have done night for
ten happy years-and in the morning wilt be gone.
Will then think OF without anger, as OF de-
parted friend from whom you separated in peace and
and will think the same of YOU 1t was
tor fey days that fss ofef feel yoa
as of old, and remain, even if you reject my pro-
posal, your true friend, CAsIMIR CosTE.
Old Pascal had given the Colonel her masters
address in Paris He was at small hotel in
the Rue du Helder, whose landlord was a native
of Montpelier, and in which Tisscn and Coste
had lodged together at various times.
Two days later the old Colonel received
fattn pn~tc Aa nd fh0 han ~
writing of his friend and tore it open with trem-
bling hands. It contained only few hasty,
almost illegibe lines
have sworn never to say the words you wish me
TO speak before you my threshold, but may
least tell you how hard it has been fer keep
my vow. Forgive me the wrong did you in anger.
have atoned for it. and have been. till death your
true old friend. I. It.
All grew black before his eyes. AS he
recovered himself somewhat. he FASTENED to old
Pascal. She had received news of her
master Coste at once teIegraphed to the hotel
keeper in Paris, and begged for immediate in
formation about the welfare of Professor Tisson,
Of Montpelier. A few hours later a reply came.
Professor Tisson bad been found dead in his
room on the morning of the previous day; the
funeral to take place on the morrow; his
daughters had been informed of the unhappy
Coste departed for Paris the came evening,
and arrived there but few hours after the
burial of his friend. In the hotel he met the
TWO daughters ana LDelr QuSDauOS. I0eV were
n the deepest of mourning and bore their grief
With becoming resignation. They regarded
,odly the old man. who, with travel-grimined
clothing and dejected face came to their room
1nannounced. They gave short, precise answers
20 his questions concerning the last moments of
heir father; his death had doubtless been caused
oy sudden stroke of apoplexy; he had gone to
his room at 10 o'clock well and happy, and twelve
hours later he found dead and cold in his
oed he had probably passed away about IL
o'clock at night, without pain they hoped.
The next morning Coste visited the new-made
grave. When he returned to the hotel he
earned that the daughters had departed, after
ordering handsome monument to be placed |
,ver the Professors grave
The landlord, Monsieur Doncet, laxative |
nan, had known the old Colonel for many years, |
md was usually but too glad to chat with him. |
But now he was short and uncommunicative, |
when Coste tried to learn something more about |
he death of his friend. The old soldier per- |
eived at once that they were keeping the truth |
rom him. He determined to 60 the bot |
ON of the matter. He bribed the waiter who |
lad charge of the room in which Tisson had |
led. At first the man would say nothing. But |
fter the old Colonel had solemnly sworn not to
,etray him, he related the following facts:
Monsieur Tisson had arrived five days before.
lie had looked wretchediy. sad and weak.
Ie went out very little, had taken his meals
lone in his room, and talked with one. On |
friday he had written several letters and
nailed them himself Towards 10 o'clock he |
ad ordered tea and said to him, the waiter,
hat he would go to bed and did not wish to be |
allied very early the next DAY.
when knocked at his door, about o'clock
sunday morning. to bring him letter which
ad just come, there was answer and, fEd-
ng that the door was bolted on the inside, I
Inspected that something was wrong I called
Ionsieur Doncet, and he sent me for the police,
S he wished the door to be broken open in the
resence of al official of the law. Monsieur Don
e:. the officer and doctor tered the room alone.
hey babe me keep watch and let in. I
'aited long time. When the three came out
ionsieur Doncet was pale death. He took
ne to one side and said: I depend upon you,
8 old servant OF the house, to say nothing
shatsver about this. The reputation of the ho-
ell would be ruined l promised him TO be
lent. and till now I have spoken with no one
bout the occurrence, and shall not talk of it
gain. But you were an old friend OF Monsieur |
'sson. and You ought to know the truth.
After some hours the doctor came back with |
vo assistants The three shut themselves up |
4 the room and remained there at least an |
our Late at night-in order not to brighten
he other guesIs-the coffin was secretly con-
eyed into the house.
- Il