Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-09-05


and save for the flush that would
sometimes light his eyes, he gave no
sign of resentment or rebellion.
1t was about three weeks after Min
cites flight that Leopold Won Brand
stein again sought an interview with
Leroux. The Prussian had suddenly
become convinced that he must know
of her flight, and perhaps OF her place
OF concealment. 1t was an illogical
and baffled passion had deprived him
of his usual calm reasoning powers,
and for once he acted on impulse, and
sent for his foe.
The man was brought to his pres
ence, and his ruthless eyes swept over
the pale haggard face, the thin
weak figure that scarce had
strength to stand with the erect soldi-
cry grace of old before him, he saw
how well his orders had been carried
out.
"You look ill.," he said coidiy.
"Are you tired OF Il prisoners life
YETI"
II am tired OF my own. l shall
doubtless have to thank my foes soon
for shortening it,"
"You are Us quick with your tongue
rs ever. Have you any explanations to
make?"
None. l know how useless It
would be-"
The dark fierce countenance before
him turned livid with rage.
"If you are not less insolent, | will
have you thrashed within an inch of
your life
you are not more anxious to have
that life than | am to yield it up, mon
sier."
'.Say you so? Well, perhaps have
something to tell you that may
sweeten it. You remember the woman
told you was interested in your well
fare?n
Il remember, monsieur, thinking
to delude me with such a belief"
"Oh, you do? l have sent for yoG
tonight to learn her whereabouts.
That you know it am sure. lam r.
solved to tear the secret from you at
any SOSls CNCl VI yOul lllCs IAlo 10
no idle threat. l mean it to the very
letter. Tell me where she is" The
man laughed hoarsely and scornfully.
You ask me of your mistress's
whereabouts? Are you mad, mon
sieur, or am ~"
when | told you that. l lied!' said
his adversary, tiercely. "She is moth
i,,fr 10 | nVlt Lot nl of
she was your wife. Well, where is
she now?'
Pierre looked at him in incredulous
amazement.
This is poor Jest" he said calm
~. II know nothing of any woman
whom monsieur is pleased to honor
with his attentions. Even ii l did
"WellP"
81 should not tell"
Dog! DO you dare brave me thus?
You lie! You do know where she is.
Out with it or will ring the truth
from your throat as l would BIRDS
neck"
"You are welcome to do so. 1t is
your prerogative doubtless to--mur-
der. Well, it will be the one benefit
have derived from my foes"
| Won Brandstein rose to his feet, lit
orally trembling with rage and pas
sion. His eyes swept over his antag-
onist, meeting nothing but the patient,
calm disdain that no threat could
change to fear, no bribe could win to
Difference. For an instant they faced
each other thus, both silent. Won
Brandstein spoke at last.
80 kill you would be too great a
boon to bestow on you. No, you shall
| live. But listen first. | have that to
tell which will make you curse your
folly till the last day OF your life. In
the first place, this woman-your wife
of a week-whom you like mailman
forsook in a moment OF frenzy, has
never wronged you even by a thought
all the while that you have believed
so iii of her. She has been basely
deceived, cruelty wronged; but for all
that she is heroine in her bravery
and endurance, a saint in her purity,
"a woman in her fidelity. Does it hurt
| NOu W Ihlo. al, YOU arc
now! TO think of all you have lost by
your rash action! What, incredulous
still, and she has loved you? Oh,
fool, fool! Why to stand in your place
and hear these words, and know an
enemy's lips reluctantly confessed the
truth, would die a dogs death the
next hour"
Over the soldiers weary, suffering
face great wave OF feeling swept.
"Why do you torture me thus?" he
cried. at is not true. l cannot be
-
1T is true. will prove it."
"Do so.
"You believed your wife fled fir ON
you with lover, did you notP"
''Her own words confirmed that be-
lief
The man whom she sheltered at
risk of her own reputation, the man
for whose sake she has become an
outcast, for whom she has borne
your desertion, and your base inter-
probation Of her motives. is her