Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1889-12-24

I rage, WHICH Was orIyen rapidly
away. Marguerite slept upon hel
aunt's shoulder until they reached
home and when she awoke she was en-
/ tirely free from the effects of the bran
| dy she had taken
Count de Frontin had begged to 40
company them, and Marguerite's aunt
had been glad to have his protection
| Both were indignant when Margue.
rite told them of the call boys efforts
| to assist her
DO not blame him." she said 'sHe
intended to help me, and could not
know the effect the spirit would have
upon me. But ann disgraced forever.
And my poor father! OH how wish
could be with him. What care for
success or failure if he Is taken from
meT"
Listen to me, Marguerite, said the
count When all Paris was at your
feet when it hailed you as the success
thought of me as a lover, / was con-
tent to be nothing but friend But
now when YOU need kind and loving
protector, when you have been in
suited and scorned, l am here, dear
Marguerite, at your feet, offering you
the devotion and homage of my whole
life Marguerite. you need me now,
do not refuse my love and my protec-
ton"
MY father" she murmured-
I'VE will 60 to him. As my wife,
you shall have my tenderest care. In
a few days we can sail from Havre
and until that time, / Will telegraph
daily for news from the sick one. Ali
difficulties shall be smoothed away,
which hates today what yesterday it
adored. Speak, my Marguerite, tell
me you will be my wife, for my love
must awaken some answering feeling
IN your heart"
Marguerite said nothing, but the
events of her whole life passed IN rapid
her hard study, her triumph the ex-
pected joyful reunion with her ia
ther, then the news of his terrible i'll
ness, the scene at the opera. Could she
ever face that hooting, jeering crowd
againf Their misses still seemed ring
ing in her ears. Could she ever for
get their scornful criesl Then before
her knelt the handsome lover, a
whole world of pleading tenderness in
looks and tone. What was this new
feeling that came into her heartl How
vain, how frivolous seemed her past
ambition, In contrast with a life p eSed
in sweet companionship with him.
Could this be love2 She placed her
hand in his and said:
Paul, 1t seems wrong to give you
only a grief stricken heart, but take
me if you will. / am yours"
He clasped her to his heart, pressing
kiss after kiss upon her lips.
Sleep sweetly tonight, my dar-
ling. Hereafter let all your cares be
mine.
The next day he came early to see
her, and told her of the preparations
he was making for their marriage and
hasty departure.
Tomorrow, my darling" he said,
Il must be away all day, for it is nee
essary that | go TO the races, IAN
glais, conducted by the gentlemen Of
the club to which l belong. / have
had horse in training for the event
all summer and must obey the imper-
ial command which bids me to be pres
ent. So all day l must be absent. But
l will see you before l 60"
The next morning the count rode
into the courtyard TO leave bouquet
for Marguerite. He waited in the
courtyard until it had been taken up
to her, and she, leaning far out the
window, threw him a flower after kiss
ing 1T. 1t was a marguerite, and he,
too, kissed it and placed 1t in his but
ton hoi& Then he waved his hand
guerite, and rods auEzp - .
All day long Marguerite rested
quietly in her own room, refusing to
see any one. A telegram from New
York told her of her fathers condition.
A letter came from her manager but
she left it unopened. She felt that her
artists life was over, and a newer,
brighter, more peaceful existence was
opening for her.
AS night approached she dressed
herself carefully and sat or half re-
climbed on a seat near the window.
The sun had set in soft haze and 1t
was hardly dark, although the lights
were beginning to twinkle in the pal
ace de HEtoile The avenue was filled
with carriages. The races at the Bots
were over and all Paris was streaming
home to dinner. Soon she would hear
the clatter of horses hoofs upon the
stony courtyard, announcing the
COunt II grew a AlttIC ddI
er. There was no lamp in the room,
but the fire on the hearth with its
glow was making faint lights and
shadows on the wall.
As ii became dark the silence became
almost oppressive, and a vague feeling
of some impending evil seemed to
come over her. Surely" she said to
herself Paul is very late" Then
she arose and began to pace the
floor with slow and measured tread
AT last she approached the window
looking out on the little street 1t was
filled with people returning from the
races and walking as if much excited.
lie pauvre garcon," said one, Ito
die SO young"
But he was such a fine horseman,"
said another.
Hardly knowing what she did, she
called out:
Who is hurt2 For the love of
heaven, tell me, messieurs."
Certainly, mademoiselle; it is the
Count Paul de E'rontin, who was
killed.
But she heard no more; with a wild
scream she fell TO the floor. That
night she was in the wild delnium of