The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-08-10


had done in blindness; but it was not too
late to justify herself, toredeem the wick
edness of having sheltered and succored
himl
She could hear the wind crying without.
Scarcely conscious of what she did, she
rose to her feet, and with conyulsIye
hands threw open the window. The cold
blast rushed into the room, large flakes
of snow foated in and glimmered in the
dim light.
Clutrhing the window-sill. she leaned
out into the night.
And the snow fell Tricky upon her
head, while the win loosenei her golden
hair Still with that stupefed, despair
ing look, she Gazed out into the darkness
Harkl
A feeble cry, like call for help, came
from the sick-rooI-
She started, but kept her place.
In few moments the crg was peated,
but still she did not stir.
She strained her eyes up at the dark
heaven. Her father was there, some
where beyond those troubled clouds. All!
that she might 90 10 him that he could
beckon to her out of tie shadows Of the
grave and call her to his side.
The cry came again.
She turned from the open window and
staggered rather than walked back to the
S ck-chamber pausing at the door like a
ghost and gazing in.
The man had changed his position and
with both his arms thrust up above his
head was living back without the pillow
which had fallen to the floor. His mouth
was half-open, his eyes looking straight
at Blanche.
She saw that he had partially recovered
consciousness, and recognized her. Was
it fancy, or did he call to her in a faint,
low voice, entreatingly?
she stood like stone; then, taken by a
sudden thought, and fixing her eyes on
his, she raised the medallion, which still
lay in her hand, and kissed it.
He watched her, and seemed to under
stand; but the next moment his eyes
turned away in pain, and a convulsion ran
through his body. How lurid, how death
like his face appeared in the faint glin-
mer of the night-light!
The small timep zee in the adjoining
room struck one.
Nearly an hour had passed since she had
last administered the anodyne. Already
her vengeance had begun. lie was sink
ing, and she had not put out a hand.
All at once, as if by heavenly inspira-
tion, she seemed to hear the voice OF her
father speaking to the ear that is ia the
soul. The voice was low and gentle just
as it had always been, but it sounded like
a warning. She knew the Chevalier !
deeply humane nature; she knew that he,
of all creatures, would have been the last
20 approve an act of vengeance.
An act, lot merely of vengeance, but Of
murder-none the less murder because
the victim was a miserable sinner, guilty
of unnatural bloodshed. If she stood
by, with the power 10 save the life that
was fast going, she was as responsible for
the loss of that life as if she had used
knife or poison to de 5troy it. She would
have to answer for a sin before the Great
Judge of quick and dead.
Then she thought of her God. She re-
membered the divine precept of her re-
ligion, Love thy neighLor as myself.
Alas, it was mockery. How could she
love the slayer of her father? But love
was one thing, and obedience to the COM
maud of the Almighty was another.
The clock licked out the moments,
while she watched the agoniZed struggles
Of the sinking man. In few minutes it
would he too late-perhaps, indeed, it
was too late alreaGv.
Tortured between hate and duty,
Blanche now underwent the great trial IF
her life. God in His mercy gave her
strength, and at last she conquered. Come
what might, she felt thai she could not
let the man perish without making an at
tempt to save him.
Father. forgive mel" she moaned, pite-
ou,ly, while now for the first time the
tears began to triclile down her checks.
Forgive met l cannot let him die"
Moving quickly to the mantelpiece. she
took the vial, and with trembling hand
measured out the life giving drops; then,
holding out the glass, she approached the
bed. Aud now, once again, the horror
came uUon her to think she must approach
so near and even touch the beng she
lCathcd so much.
She paused and prayed for strength; it
was given to hor
Steeling ell her soul mo resolution,
she bent over tRe man, raised his head
with one hand, and with the other placed
the glass to his lips. His eyes were half
closed, but they opened for a moment and
looked gratefully upon her as he drank
the auodyne.
Then, overpowered by that sublime
effort. Blanche uttered Il heat broItcn
cry and sank, wildly sobbing, upon her
knees.
Her face looked quite old and dreadful
IS she stole shuddering toward the door.
Before she reached 1t a cry from the
bed startled her so that she almost Shrek
ed. Turning Involuntary, She saw him
gazing at her with outstretche hands.
"Froulein, he moaned, what has hap
pencil"
hen he, too, shuddered, adding, All!
[ remember,
She stood like marble-her eyes dilated,
her face ghastly-looking at him.
lie uttered groan of pain, crying:
Why DO YOU look at me so strangely:
/ thought thought that | was dying;
but | am stronger now, I think. I hat
dlaught you gave me-but for that /
should have died God bless you, BIanchel
God bless you!"
blessings from him! 1t seemed zoo
horrible
silence" she said, in a voice so faint
aud low as to be almost inaudible. do
lot speak TO me; / cannot bear it,
And she hid her face in her han1s
One word-only one, she beard him
moan. rs it possible you knew him
that Frenchm1nI7
Tue question recalled her to herself.
brought back to her all the agony OF her
loss. With q face set like steel she
walked Ia k TO the bedside and gazing
into the mans face with fearless ewes,
replied:
A1C WIS MY ldtutI.
lie shrank as if from blow, and n
tered cry full of sorrow and compassion.
At that moment she felt a touch upon
her arm, and, turning. she saw the aged
EousekeepeT, who had euterad the room
unperceived.
Mademoiselle. it Is I; thought I
heard you call. Mon Dieu, what is the
natter
81 nche did not reply, bUt, shiyellng as
if with cold, turned her face away: then.
followed by the dame, she walked into
the outer room. The window was still
vide open the snow drifting in AID lying
Ill white patches upou he floor
Mademoiselle, look, the window is
open. All, you will catch your death
1t IS a bitter night"
But Blanche stood bareheaded il the
window recess, needless of wind or snow.
Appalled, by her look and manner. the
old woman questioned her again: ont
still she returned no answer.
81