The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-17


absolute quiet, and caution you to make no eff
fort 10 collect your scattered thoughts. Let
nature do that"
For several days my nina continued to wan
der. Margueriie's name would tremble on my
lips, but it seemed to me that it was not my vile
that 1 was thinking OF, but the beautiful little
child that l used to drag about under the trees
OF the old country home. 80
Gradually however. with my returning bodily
strength the awful scenes OF the past month took
on outline and color. growing brighter ana more
vivid until the horror or my present position I'M
pressed itself upon me- Dr. Befteaux was als.
erection itself. Possibly In my dellrlum L hau
told him all he wished 10 know.
When / asked for permission to Visit some
friends In the city he readily accorded it, adding:
''But you must return to me for another week,
for Pm going TO effect radical cure VI your all
menL"
promised TO do as he requested.
1t was beautiful June day as l hobbled out
into the street On my crutches, and made my
way slowly and with strange fear and treplda-
tion-toward Rue Dauphine. 1 felt Ike crlml-
nal returning home to beg forgiveness for some
deSpicaDle ottense. Ii seemed TO me that had
no right to return to Marguerite. And now
terrible thought seemed TO agliate me. "Wlll l
not Kill her If | enter abruptly into her presenter
May not the shock OF seeing me return from my
grave unfiX her mind?"
NV limbs trembied so that was Obliged TO SIT
down and est for awhile. AT length reached
Rue Daupblne but for some reason L couldn't
identity the clearinghouse, and walked up ana
down for hall AN hour IN fruitless search OF 1t.
| think | should have been obliged 10 return 10
DE- BerteatIx and wait until mind ana body had
grown stronger had not my eyes at that moment
fallen upOn NINE. Cabin. She was just entering
little restaurant on the ground floor, and now
recollected that that was where we used to buy
our food.
As my beard had grown and 1 was dreadfully
emacialed, 10 say nothing OF being Oh clutches,
l had no hesltaLcy IN crossing the street aud
entering the little restaurant. Calling for glass
OF wine, l sat down at Que OF the tables, aud
listened 10 the cOnyersa;i ion, feeling assured that
Nine. Cabin would make some mention OF
Well" said the propretress, the poor little
woman on The third story finally made up her
mind 10 accept"
sWho wouIdn'tlp exclaimed Nine. Cabin.
1t was the best thing she could do. Monsieur
Slmoneau was very kind 10 her. He had settled
up the affairs OF his fathers estate, and found
himself well fixed for life. lie has a rich aunt
near Nantes somewhere and Marguerite is to
fill the role OF companion TO her."
The pToprietreSs gave a low chuckle Had 1t
not been for the wine had hastily swallowed
when Mime. Cabin first mentioned Simoneau's
name, | should have fallen forward senseless on
the table. Only with the greatest effort was L
able 10 maintain an upright posture.
II suppose ii Will end In marriage" added
Mime. Cabin, "but give you my word of honor
have seen nothing improper Her grief seemed
to be perfectly genuine, ana as for Nj. Simoneau
lie acted like 4 gentleman throughout. Well,
they got of yesterday, and when Marguerite
lays of her mourning L don't see why they
mayn't do as they please, do you?"
he woman nodded her acceptance OF that
view.
Anyway" bluIted out Nine. Cabin, "the dead
man couldn't compare with NJ. Simoneau. l
never liked that rack OF boEes always sitting
around whining and moaning, and without
cent in his rocketl All, such husband as that
is not worth much for a woman with any lie In
her. But just look at NJ. SimOneau; strong and
healthy as day laborer, and itch into the bar
ganl
she turned to leave the restaurant, ''the other
man did well to get out OF the way. Ii was a
lucky thing for Margueritel"
made haste 10 quit tne place, and as caught
sight OF myself in the mirror strange and
not diSagreeable sensation erept over me. Never
before had realized what a miserable wretch /
was, so far as looks went. Had II not been pre-
SUMPTION, nay, crime, for Inc 10 marry that beau
iful girl? III | had had plenty OF money it
might have been different, but TO be such an un-
slightly creature and yet expect This fair haired
and sweet-vlsaged child to share my poverty, my
gloom, my melancholy. Oh IL was crime; aye
crime. That is the only word which expresses
IL. And now that l am dead to her would il not
be generous and manly TO remain so? But as my
health continued TO improve under DIR. Berteauxs
sklllful care The demon Jealousy again took
possession OF my hearl, and my only thought was
10 rescue Marguerite from SliBoneau. My bene-
factor saw that some great grief was gnawing at
my yltals, and when proposed TO make a short
journey TO the country lie gladly gave bis con-
sent.
While felt that l would never have the cour-
age 10 demand that Marguerite should return to
me. yet was fully determined to appeal 10 her
and exact solemn pledge that she would never
become Simoneaus vile. / knew about where
the family estate OF the Simoneaus was located
and had no difficulty in finding The spot where
Marguerite had been hidden away from the
world by his man. Ii was a beautiful old house
standing In the center of a garden, and hung
around II for several days like Thief watching
for some one 70 open the gite that lie might slip
in. One morning as stood peering through the
iron rails OF The garden fence The sound OF foot
steps on the grayeled walk caught my ear aud
the next instant Marguerite and Simopeau came
In view. On heaven, how beautiful she looked!
His arm was twined aliectiOnately around her.
and her sad, sweet face was almost too fair TO be
human.
My first thought was 10 shrek out my rage and
beat upon the iron fence with my cruIches; but
presently my heart softened, the tears burst
forth, and / found myself breathing blessings
upon that angel In mourning robes.
ut is better thus" groaned, better for her
at least" and as that tall, girlish figure disap-
peared among the r0se-trees | turned away mut-
Iering TO myself, "the dead and the living cannot
inhabit the same wordi'
Ten years have ELAPSED since that dreadful
hour, and have never repented my action
Thanks 10 DR.. BeTteanX. whose name | have
taken, am strong and robust man, aud thanks
TO him, well supplied with this worlds goods for
before his death lie confded to me his discovery
Tor the cure OF nervous ailments and the manu-
facture and sale OF that remedy has enriched me-
own a small property adjoining Monsieur
Slm0neau's, and from the window In the library
can overlook his garden.
Seated at that window often watch Marguerite
with her falr-haired children about her. They
call me "tbe gentleman with the sad facen and
so like my little love OF the far away past is the
little Marguerite OF to-day that | find it very
hard to say no when she asks 10 enter that
sacred lncosuie Where there are so many beauLl-
ful flowers, but none so beautiful as Marguerlte's
children.
My wife's husband and have a noddtng ac
qualntance, and SO IL shall remain till the end
THE END.
Copyright, 1890 By he ii.thors' alliance An
rights in This English yeTsion reserUed
Everything Goes Wrong