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


plicity, carried much-needed balm to that poor,
wounded heart.
Now that Capt. Boulanger had accomplished
this half Of his mission his thoughts turned with
redoubied activity to what remained to be
done. He had already met Monsieur Dumon-
tier several times at the club at which he had
been introduced by Guillot's cousin, and he
was not little pleased to discover that this
gentleman was prone to take more wine than
was good for him, habit which often led to
his being boisterous and ill-mannered at the
card table. and even interruptions in his play.
Hence 1t was not at all to be wondered at that
the hot-blooded Partisan should have on such
an occasion hurled his cards into Dumontier's
cheat to him.
1t was still early in the evening. Suddenly IL
occurred to Capt Boulanger that he had prom
ised to pay q visit at Bosc-Mesnil. By good
fortune his horse had not been'sent back to the
stable, and leaping into the saddle Boulanger
turned the animals head toward the farm
house. 1t might be his last visit. 1t might be
the last look that he would have in this world
OF that sweet. pale face. with its wondrously ten
der and soulful eyes. Dumontier had the rep
utaflon OF being an excellent swordsman and
Capt Boulanger. strange to say. did not feel
that steadlness Of nerve which he fain would
have desired to have and for which he was SO
justly famous.
Madeleine met him at the door with smile.
which in nowse bettered matters. The captain
had never yet finched before a womans eyes,
but he could not Withstand the mysterious fas-
cination which looked at him from the windows
OF this woman's soul. He quailed before it and
turned away, but he couldn't escape that
sweetly melancholy voice. 1t followed him; it
thrilled him; it moved him like some faint mel
ody heard by drowning man; it promised
help and yet it seemed MS if he would rather
listen and die than have it come too close to
him.
''why, Capt Boulanger," murmured Made
sshnw vnrp no HON il-a
yourself. Has aught happened? If you have
any, troubles will you not let me sympathize
with you?'
The captain blurted out some fimsy excuse
for his absent mindedness, but it only served to
increase Medicines disquiet.
He Was conscious that he was constrained in
his manner, even cold and distant, and quite
unlike himself.
Suddenly Madeleine sank upon the sofa, and.
covering her face with her hands, began to
weep.
Boulanger had never presumed to call her by
her hrst name, but she seemed SO utterly DESC
late that he softened and in a sympathetic tone
of voice said:
'.come, dear Madeleine, come; you must
strive to part with this sorrow Don't you hear
me. Madeleine"
With quick movement Madeleine looked up
and rlveted her gaze with a strange intensity
upon Boulangers face.
A blind man could have read the thanks in
'Ah my FRIEND" she murmured. ''this world
is firmly resolved that shall got no happiness
out OF 1t. feel it. know it,
Suddenly 1t occurred to Capt. Boulanger
again that possibly this was the last time that
ne should meet Madeleine, and he made an
ing OF alteration which she inspired in him
Madeleine saw this and thanked him with
one OF her smiles Of almost celestial sweetness
Again and again he called her Madeleine. and
every time he spoke that name it grew sweeter
and sweeter to them both. But suddenly sort
of panicky fear came upon him. His friends
bleeding form rose before him. He could hear
Armands plteOns cry, Madeleine Madeleine
wait for me-" and he felt like a thief in the
hottest OF places reaching out for monstrance
He rose to escape from Madeleine's presence,
but her hand was laid upon his.
on, Andre On ny friend" she pleaded,
walt wait: have much to say. Don't leave
me alone in this great cold world. Don't let
me sink into the very gulf of despair. Reach
out your hand. I'm lost if you withdraw YOUR
gaze from ME, II cease 10 hear your voice.
me?"
''Too well, too well, Madeleine" whispered
Capt. BOulanger, land therefore must not
tarry. You must not constrain me. must not
vex Armands SOUL
Fear naught, Andre" entreated Madeleine.
lit will give our beloved sleep! Look at me: let
me but feel that may speak. Oh, / implore
you, Andre, let me tell you how -"
stop. Madeleinc!' cried Boulanger turning
almost fiercely upon her. Don't bring that
word across your beautiful lips 1 must not
hear 1t. dare not listen to you. II YOU would
not make me execrate myself 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
Ills hands and raising 1t slowly bent it back
until the soft light of the candelabra fell full
upon It, For moment he stood there in 81
lence with his gaze chained to that divinely
fair countenance. Never had he seen such a
face, nor had he felt himself 80 deeply moved
since his boyhoOd days, when in the dim light
OF some cathedral he watched some angelic
countenance OF the heavenly choir pictured on
tho windows.
Madeleine's heart stopped its beating She
hung upon Andres lips like q criminal upon
his judges. He uttered no word. but. bending
forward pressed kiss upon her forehead.
ut cannot be. Madeleine" he murmured,
slowly; Il have not told you all
Alarmed by these words, and fearing lest he
might escape her, Madeleine locked her arms
about his neck.
Not yet, not yet, Andre" she gasped con-
vuls:vely, as if about to sink forever. Il know
what you mean, but, Oh in heavens name tell
me. Andre, why must be punished for sins 1
have not committed? l was tricked into this
marriage. loathe Dumontier! The law will set
me free l may be yours, Andre. On, may
be yours"
mot that. Madeleine, not that" whispered
BOulanger.
what then?" Speak, Andre!" she exclaimed
breathlessly: what else may keep us apart?''
MY vow, Madeleine. my sacred vowo'
Your vow, Andre. your sacred VOW" she
repeated with bewildered look.
"Ay. madam" cried Boulanger; "for YOU
must know that pledged my sacred word to
Armand that I'd kill Dumontier for his infa-
nous treachery. and by the eternal powers of
heaven do so tomorrow morning rs soon as
there's light enough for me to see the place
where his base heart lies'
With those words Boulanger tore himself ont
OF Madeleines arms and Sprang toward the
door.
"Andre, ANDRE" shrieked Madeleine. as she
staggered forward, mo, no! Spare him, An
DIRE; II yon love me, don't take his life''
But HoulanSer was gone. and in a moment
Madeleine heard the rafting of his horses
hoofs OH the highway grow fainter and fainter
In the distance and then cease altogether.
Scarcely had the duclists crossed swords
when BoulanSer fell upon his opponent with u
rage that defeated the very end he had in view.
Dumontler was no mean swOrdsman 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 5rachiGl artery had been pune
tured. 1t was the work of q few moments to tic
the artery, however, and the dueling party
made its way back to Yvetot.
In O few hours word reached Capt. Doulanger
that his opponent was dying and that his pres
ence was needed immediately Madeleine WAS
already at her husbands bedside. Left alone
after reaching home, the wounded man had VIC
lently undOne tho Sur1eon' work md wha ds