The morning call., 1890-06-22

responsibility, IL was q QTtdm tudl SUM- u
woman often INDUCES in, but has not the moral
courage to transform into reality. Clemence
Villa lacked nothing less than she did audacity.
1t had given her medi0crity as an actress the
stamp OF talent. She had taken the world by the
throat rather than by the heart. She had not
corrupted the jury, she had overawed 1t.
Never was man so overwhelmed with tender
ness, SO literally besieged with attention and
consideration, as Jacques de Vignes by Glenn
ence villa. 1t was revelation to him. he had
been accustomed to look upon women as full OF
| guile. many hundred times gentler than doves
when occasion required, but always great deal
wiser than the besteducated serpent. 1t Is not to
be wondered AT that jacques was touched by these
delightful manifestations OF tireless devotion and
unaffected unselhshness. In few short weeks
| he found himself as Dayidof had phrased IT,
"fooshly, nnreasonably, madly" in love with
| Clemenee villa.
Juliete noticed his frequent and protracted
| absences from home and was not a little sur
| prlsed at VINE. de Vignes' camness and compos.
| ure under such circumstances. When he did
| make his appearance Jacques was all amabty
| and gentleness, but, with woman's intuition.
| Juliette felt that there was certain indifference
latent under all this show OF friendliness. Moth
ing occurred to mar the serenity Of the existence
| which had spread Its gentle powers OF fascina-
ton over Jacques until toward the close of the
season and The lease OF The pretty little rose
covered cottage rented by Ciemence was about to
run out.
"Now or never" thought the enchantress as
| her thoughts were busy with her approaching re-
turn to Paris. Sue knew only too well how dan-
| gerous 1t would DO for her 10 allow Jacques TO
| miraculous restoration TO health, unless the
| scheme of marriage could be first carried out.
That evening dread feeling of uncertainty took
| possession of her. She followed Jacques to the
| door and endeay0red 10 get from him promise
| TO return Tomorrow morning and breakfast with
| her. But all In vain. He would set no hour.
| "G0od-by, good-by, my sweet" was his CHEEKY
| cry as he walked toward the door; don't be
| foolish, you shall see me again Tomorrow some
me again."
Jacques! Jacquesl" came from Clemence's
bloodless lips In stranged voice as she stag
| gered back against the wall
| "For Gods sake. Clemence, what's the mat
teri cried De Vlgnes, catching her in his arms.
mWhy how pale you %! are how you tIemble Let
| mo, no." gasped Clemence; Z" 1t will soon be
over. A sort OF vision came over me. my darling.
Ii seemed as IL was parting with you forever
Pm better now. Now I'll let you go, dear
Jacques, but come early tomorrow. You viii,
wont you?"
"Yes, yes, certainly" replied De Vignes.
| "And now that you're ailing sweetheart, Pll
| come and take breakfast with you" And laying
| his band upon the knob OF The door he drew him
| sell up IN mock dignity and exclaimed in meas
| urea tones, " Never mind your visions, Clemence,
! you shall see me againr
As The door closed behind him, the woman
| covered her lace with her hands, gave a half
shrek, hall groan, ana then called loudly Tor
help: In an instant her maid was at her side
| ITO bed 10 bedi" whispered Clemence, and
| she dragged herself along toward the staircase.
! In few hours she seemed to recover her self
possession and began to chatter with her maid
|
! gossip aud scandal Of The day.
| " What do you think they say, madam? Why,
they say that Pierre Laurier didn't die because
you wouldn't love him, but that he killed himself
| SO That lie might give his soul 10 Monsieur de
Vlgnes. Did you ever hear anything so ridieu-
| madam? You are III. What shall | do for you?"
Nothing, nothing" gasped Cemence. "only
| don't leave me alone, not Tor a single moment.
| 1 am SO afraid oil ghosts and your ghost story
| has set me all In tremble. Go on with my hair
now, only don't tell me any more ghost stories.
cant stand them. They frighten me 10 death"
| Dear madam" cried her maid your hands
are burning up with fever. Let me send for
| your physician; you ara really Ill. Your face is
red and White by turns; please give NE leave 10
| call a doctor. Now your skin is cold as ice."
| No, no." whispered Cemence, "pll be bet
ter after good nights sleep, only don't leave
me alone, not for single moment Do you
| hear; not for single moment!"
When De Vignes reached the house the next
morning lie was mol surprised 10 hear OF Glenn
ence's Illness; but he was 10 be told that she was
| threatened with brain fever. he servants
shook their heads myslerlousiy, and informed
him that their mistress had passed The night in
half Gelirium, calling out for mercy al the hands
| Of iieIre Laurer, but that she persisted in re-
tusing 10 allow physician 10 be called In.
| Jacques bounded upstairs, and entered the
| room on tiptOe.
The instant Clemence Villas eyes rested upon
bin she u tered piercing shrek and fell back
on Tie pillow, covering her face with her hands
as il TO shut out some narrowing sight.
don't, don't come ill.," she pleaded in piieous
| tones " Laurler's ghost is behind you | see il.
| Ii has followed you mere. IL has come 10 tor
| meuI me. &c back, 60 back In heavens
name, dou't stay herel Leave the house quickly!
| Go. 90"
! Holror-slTcken at the sight of the dellrious
| woman, and deeply moved by he cries of terror
utte'ed by her. DE Vignes hastily quilted the
room with The Intention OF reaching his carriage,
and driving OF Tor physician Without mo-
| meutS delay.
| An hour elapsed before he succeeded in finding
| the French physician to whom lie desired to in
| trust the case but upon announcing himself and
The doctor al Inc door. lie was quietly informed
! that madam could see nobody, That she was not
| IN need OF a physician, and had given absolute
| orders that none should be admitted.
| De Vignes turned away IN silence dazed and
| beWlideIed by the extraordinary turn which
events had taken.
| The next day The residents along the terrace
| aud The llshl-hearted hHbitues OF The Casino
lfeard of the mysterious disappearance of Glenn
enee Y lila from Monte Gallo.
De Nignes knew but little more than the rest
of the world. She had He'd from the ghost OF
| Iiere LaurieT-so the. giddy pleasure seekers
| put it-aud that was the truth, far as he knew
| anything about The sudden end OF this Queen OF
| BohemlPs Irlgn.
| Some events are so terribly earnest and start
| affect in calm and neutral condition, state Of
peace rather than conflict. Such was The effect
| of Clemence Villas Disappearance upon Jacques
| de Vignes.
As Jacques was engaged relating to his mother
| some OF the extraordinary incidents connected
! with his fascination for Clemence, Jueite. pure
| and radiant as a summer lily, bounded joyOusly
| toward them. jacques cut The story very short
| and, dropping on his knees, pressed the girls
| hand ierventy to his lips as he cried out: ~
| have come back to you, mother, and back 10
| Julietie too"
THE END.
Copyright 1879. III rights to This English ddapta
| ton reserved