The morning call., 1890-07-13

Alone by herself, Mathilde's thoughts went
back TO her first meeting with her brothers
friend and she saw the tears gathering In her
eyes as she stood before her mirror.
What changes, what terrible changes. Youth
and beauty gone, and in their stead fecks OF
gray hair, sunken cheeks, creased temples, hol-
low chest and knuckly haDdsl
"Men cannot forgive woman for growing
DID," murmured Nine. de Courcs with sigh
as her heavy, sad eyes searched for trace of the
delicate peach bloom which once made her face
the envy OF her school friends. "He remembers
me as he saw me last, and oh, how cruelty desil-
lusiOnne will he bel''
AS the time grew near for De Bourueval to
make his appearance at The Chateau de Conr-
ceulles, Mathllde surprised herself several times
In The act OF lingering over the petty details oil
her toilet, making search for some color which
would harmuniZe with her dull, white skin. or
thinking out some style OF costume which
would conceal her now strikingy slender figure.
De Bourneval himself was greatly changed.
Fifteen years residence in country upon which
an almost tropi cal sun beats down and from
which continually rises malarial eXhalations OF
great malgnity had effected complete trans
formation Of the man. His own brother would
not have known him. But even In her malig-
nant moods nature is more kindly than man in
hsIdepraVty ii was entirely physical change /;
the heart the soul had not been touched. His
step was sim elastic his voice clear and ringing
his eve bright and hopeful, his laugh musical
and infectious.
In weeks time he had made friends with
every man. woman and child in and about the
chateau, save Mile de Courcils. She was not to
be placated upon any terms. She dsliked the
man, and that ended it.
simon" exclaimed De Courcils, laying his
huge hand on his friends shoulder, "if you're
not better fellow than you used TO be- much
less OF crank. too. learn 10 play cards. drink
more ana study up on booded Stock. and you'll
be good company for any one."
True man Of the world that he was, with a
keen, alert and incslve Intelligence, IL required
but a glance to satisfy De Bourneval that Ma
thilde's happiness had been wrecked by her
union with this cold and selfish egOtist and vo-
luptuaIy. Every time her hand met his be trem-
bed lest she should cling TO him and force bin TO
listen while she empIied her heart of its bitter
ness and woe.
civil engineer and architect of acknowledged
ability, the old Chateau de Courceulles and It's
parks and gardens revived like magic beneath
De Bourneyal's skillful supervision. Oftentimes
simple rearrangement OF old hanglngs and OLD
Everybody was delighted except Mile. de Cour-
ellis. She protested against the vandalism" The
bold and vulgar presumption" which laid lis
hand SO unceremoniously upon effects" In
vented by her t-grandfather. AS for Ma
thilde-greatest miracle OF all-she awoke and
found herself young again NO genius could nave
served her more faithfully AT table, De Bour
neyal, delightful raeonteur, entertained he
With stories OF the mysterious civilization OF Cen
tal America. read to her, taught her botany
nom The living flowers as he gathered them FOL
her or superintendent their culture accompanied
| her on her visits OF mercy and ended by attract
Ing circle OF admirers from the neighborlne
estates, so that Mathlde soon found herself pre-
siding over charming little salon.
1t Is a miracle |" whispered her guests TO
| each other Mime. de COurcils IS delightful
person. Who would have thought ft?"
1t would be hard to say whether ID Q COurcil
was pleased or dspleased with all these changes
| Except that falling health had forced him TO be
less ardent and unrestrained in his pleasures
| there was no change In his manner OF life. Once
| and only once De B0urneval had presumed TO re
mOnstrate with him, but lie had turned upon his
| friend with such fury that the latter had firmly
| resolved never again to make an attempt Il
| check his wild career for fear that De Courclls
might drive him from the chateau and Mathilde
he dan we'd al
| which had rescued her from despair.
Nearly year had slipped by since De Bourn c
val had become an inmate Of the Chateau Cour
| ceullus; but speaking for himself and so far a:
| lie had been able TO observe, for her, too, NJ
other feelings save those OF calm refined and sat
| iSfactory friendship had for single instant &C