The morning call., 1890-12-07

me. must not vex Armand's SOUL"
Fear nanght, Andre" entreated Made
leine. Il will give our beloved sleep! Look
at me. let me but feel that l may speak.
Oh, implore you, Andre, let me tell you
how L"
Stop. Madeleine!~ cried Boulanger, turn
ing almost fercely upon her. Don't bring
that word across your beautiful lips.
must not hear it. l dare not listen to you.
Ii you would not make me execrate my
self, dismiss me in silence. Oh, Madeleine,
save me, save me from myself" and as
Madeleine hid her face upon his breast and
he felt her form rocked by this storm of
grief. he took her head gently between his
hands and raising it slowly bent 1t back until
the soft light of the candalabra fell full upon it.
For momsnt he stood there in silence,
with his gaze chained to that divinely fair
countenance. Never had he seen such a
face, nor had he felt himself SO deeply moved
since MS boyhood days, when in the dim
light OF some cathedral he watched some
angelic countenance of the heavenly choir
pictured on the windows.
Madeleine's heart stopped its beating.
She hung upon Andres lips like criminal
upon his judges. He uttered no word, but
bending forward pressed kiss upon her
forehead.
ut cannot be, Madeleine" he murmured
slowly, II have not told you all -"
Alarmed by these words, ana fearing lest
he might escape her, Madeleine locked her
arms about his neck.
Not yet, not yet Andre" she gasped
convulsiyely, as If about to sink forever.
Il know what you mean, but, oh, in heav-
ems name tell me. Andre, why must l be
l was tricked into this marriage. / loathe
Dumontier; the law will set me free.
may be yours. Andre. Oh, may be yours"
Not that, Madeleine; not that" whisp-
cred Boulanger.
what then" speak, Andrea she ex-
r1aimQN hrQat hlQcalv hot oil lyao
US apart|
MY VOW. Madeleine; my sacred yowp'
Your VOW, Andre; your sacred yow!"
she repeated with bewildered look.
"Ay, madam" cried Boulanger; "for you
must know that pledged my sacred word
to Armand that I'd kill Dumonier for his
Infamous treachery, and by the eternal pow
ers OF heaven, III do so tomorrow morning
as soon as there's light enough for me to see
the place where his base heart lies"
With those words B0nlanger tore himself
out OF Madeleines arms and sprang toward
the door.
"Andre, Andre" sbrieked Madeleine, as
she sprang forward; mo, no! Spare him.
Andre, il you love me, don't take his lite!"
But Boulanger was gone, and in mo-
ment Madeleine heard the rafting of his
horses hoofS on the highway grower fainter
and fainter in the distance and then cease
altogether.
Scarcely had the duelists crossed swords
rage that defeated the very end he had
IN view. Dumontier was no mean swords
man and was defending himself admirably
when Boulanger succeeded in piercing
his arm. The surgeon at once declared
that the fighting could proceed no further,
The brachial artery had been punctured.
IL was the work of few moments to tie
the artery, however, and the dueling party
made its way back to Yyetot.
In few hours word reached Captain
m fhnfl 4
that his presence was needed Immediately.
Madelaine was already Mt her husbands bed
side. Left alone after reaching home, the
wounded man had violently undone the
surgeons work, and when discovered by
the servants was rapidly nearing death from
loss of blood.
As Boulanger entered the room the dying
man held ont his hand and smiled family
Its better thus" he whispered; tits my
own work, Captain; but oh, that Armand
could know that l was true to my compact
with him., gasped the notary's son, and
then the end came quickly and silently, more
like dropping OFF to sleep than augbt else.
Andre Boulonger tried to:speak, but the
sound died away in his throat
My boy has died as he lived" spoke the
aged notary solemnly, with the truth upon
his lips. was l who forged the letters. 1t
was l who wasted Maitre Zephyre's money
in mad Speculation, and it was | who per
suaded the old farmer that only upon condi-
lioh VI dHS NOulu S:tNt hin
from impending ruin. My crimes are great,
too great for human forgiveness. l must
look to heaven for mercy"
A hand was laid gently upon Andres
shoulder. II was Madeleine.
Farewell, Andrei she Inurmured.
$ Madeleine" cried Boulangrr, turning
pale and instinctiyely reaching out to hold
fast to her, Where are you going?"
!" Into Gods house, my FRIEND" she re-
piled. Mans hand is against me. Mayhap
heaven Will give what the world has SO
cruelty denied me!''
Nearly year has gone by. Andre Bou-
LANCER has made repeated pilgrimages to the
holy place where Madeleine seems to have
found rest at last, and he is becoming more
and more convinced that the fair penitent
will ere long make up her mind to the fact
that she has taken fate too seriously.
CoIgri0ht, 1890 bv the AuthoYs AUid7ce; all RIGHTS
IN his English UerSiOn r6Serped
The next Novelette, will BIS g" His Oldest
Friends" bv Miss NJ. T.. Braddon.