Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-29

uiS uipp0ncy ana 88yety LAC MdAuestly 8uHefeQ
diminution, and, above all, his opinions of and
conduct toward women had undergone revision
and suppression. Briefly stated, he was not the
same man, and it was darkly limited ut among
his brother officers that Guillot in the hour Of
his death had unloaded some terrible grief upon
Boulanger-a grief 20 intense and absorbing
that to it, and not to the effects OF the climate,
was to be attributed the breaking down Of his
health.
Capt. Boulanger himself quietly but firmly
repelled all attempts Of his intimates to get at
the true inwardness Of the matter.
''Leave that melancholy in Paris"
Come back to us with a new liver and new
spleen, too!'
.Remember that like cures like in lover
Such were some Of the good-humored bits OF
advice volunteered by his brother officers when
Boulanger parted with them.
Once out Of the warm, moist atmosphere OF
the east, Capt. Boulanger's health mended rap
IDLY, and BY the time he found himself once
more in the whirl of Partisan life most Of the
old-time dash Of manner and vigor Of action
had returned to him.
He made but short stay at the capital, how
ever, for he longed to be where his thoughts
were, and within week after his return to
France set out for the old city of Yvetot 1t
was the blossom time of the year when Capt.
Boulanger reached his friends birthplace and
1t seemed to him that he had never seen a more
beautiful country than that which lay around
about the famous old Norman town. As the
fell upon group Of spacious and well-kept
farm buildings. In an instant he recognized it
as Bose Mesnil, and as the fragrance Of the
poisoning fruit trees entered the car window
and the twittering Of the nesting birds reached
his ear the Partisan found it very difficult to
stem the rising tide Of grief.
What strange thing is fate" he murmured
to himself. why was it that poor Armand
could not have returned hither instead of me?''
Capt. Boulanger's first step was to seek out
Gulllots cousin, a wcll-knOwn manufacturer at
Yvetot, and deliver to him certain messages
and kcepsakes in accordance with the dead
officers request. and also to communicate to
this relative the full particulars of Guillots
death.
While scrupulously careful not to give Gull
lots cousin the faintest intimation Of the awful
nature OF his GRAND to Yvetot, Boulanger
could with difficulty restrain his eagerness to
get at the heart of the mystery which enwrapped
the betrayal Of his unfortunate friend and the
marriage of Madeleine to the notary's son.
although great effort has been made" be-
gan the cousin. ito lead US to believe that Ar
mand never really loved Madeleine, but through
motives Of vanity merely wished to show the
good people of our city how easily he could
bear the farmers daughter triumphantly away
from all woOers il he SO desired. yet to my mind
was this only part of u wicked scheme of de-
ception which shortly after Armand's departure
was entered upon with o view to break off the
engagement and secure Madeleine for young
Dumontier.
"lAnd now that Maitre Zephyre has died."
continued Guiilot's cousin, 81 greatly fear me
this mystery will never be cleared up, for, nat
urally, the Dumontiers, father and son, the
chief conspirators in this wicked business, will
never speak to cOnfound themselves. Their
lips are sealed forever
At this mention of Guillot's perfidious friend
Boulanger felt his hot blood beating on the
walls of his brow but he curbed his inclination
a a inf off 10
friend OF Armand's, and merely said, inquir-
ingly:
"But Madeleine?"
Poor child" murmured Armsnd's cousin,
"the world, with all its bright promise of bliss
fui existence, has slipped away from her COM
pletely. First made to believe that her lover
has proved recreant to his VOWS. then forced
into marriage with man for whom she has
no affection, fate would have been bitter enough
il it had stopped there. But then came the
battle OF Lang-Song, when there was every
reason to suppose that he threw his life away,
and last OF all her fathers DEATH
Terrible. terrible!' whispered Boulanger,
and then, after a moments silence, he in
quired:
docs she make her home at the Dumon-
tiers?'
'Oh, no." was the answer, ''she is too deeply
attached to the old farm at Bosc-Mesnil to con-
sent to leave it. Here she has shut herself up
from the world and persistently refuses all adj
vances OF friends and acquaintance. She is
said to be almost an object Of worship to her
overseer and farm hands. In fact I'm told she
looks more like q ministering angel in her
mourning robes than che does like an inhabi-
tant OF this cold and selfish world
And Dumontier? almost gasped Boulanger.
He comes and goes between Bose Mesnil
and his fathers home, j" was the reply. ':Osten-
sibly they are man and wife, but in reality they
are apart fear. forever"
Capt. Boulanger had dismissed his cab, for he
had resolved to return to his hotel on foot.
he now found himself somewhat outside the
city limits, and it suddenly occurred to him
that it would be much more pleasant to dine at
the old inn which Armand had so often de-
scIibed to him. The highway seemed wonder
fnlly familiar to him, and he unconsciously
strolled along, pnusing now and then to enjoy
the sad satisfaction Of looking across the fields
and meadows with Armand's eyes, as it were
The table was set in the garden of the old
Inn, ana Boulanger fingered SO long over his
dinner that the sun was we'll down in the west
and the hum OF the bees had almost ceased
when ne rose TO continue his walk in the direc-
ton of Bose Mesnil
The evening promised to be one of unusual
beauty and serenity, and the within came 70
him that ne would like to see the farm build
ing of Bose Mesnil at the twilight hour. when
the sheep were folded, the oxen resting from
the labors of the day and the cows were tink-
ling their bells over their feed troughs This
had been poor Armand's favorite hour to walk
forth with Madeleine. Boulanger stood for n
long while gazing upon this calm and peaceful
scene, and then turning aside from the high
way, he followed path along Towering
hedge. At once it began to take on O familiar
look and he saw that he was on his way to the
pond bordered with flowers. strange joy
took possession Of his heart and some mys-
ferrous psychic force merged his identity into
that of his dead friend.
oh. Armand, Armand" half sobbed
womnn's voice.
who calls me?' he cried ont, yielding to the
fascination OF the spell which was upon him.
and speaking 10 like Armand that the same
ness Of voice startled him.
With q smothered Outburst, half fear. half
amazement, slender figure clad. in deep
mourning confronted him.
Andre Boulanger" came with ill-feigned
wonder from Madeleine, for she it was.
The same, madam" replied the captain.
taking Madeleines outstretched hand and press,
ing it respectfully to his lips.
"Armands descriptions Of you." continued
Madeleine in voice OF indescribable pathos.
were 30 indelibiy impressed upon my memory
those OF an old friend. You will pardon INV out
cry: but to be frank with you, you broke in
upon my reverie rather abruptly"
BOulanger was delighted with Madeleine's de-
liclous repOse and certainty of manner Offer
ing her his arm, lie led her to rustic seat near
the edge Of the pond.
Il trust, madam said he. 'that Won will be
convinced that come to You in something more
than the mere guise of friendship
Madeleine liked her eyes searchingly upon
Boulanger's face. She was amazed to find that
there was no trace Of reproach or condemna-
ton there.
'Then yOu-then he--Armand" she wh;s-