The morning call., 1890-07-13
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
MADAME De COUNCILS.
WRITTEN FOR THE MORNING CALL BY GUY DE MAUpAssANr.

De Bourneval acquiesc5d with friendly nod
OF The head and an oldtlme smile; ,,oro,,y n1
Mile Mathlde," said he, rather Solemnly, Il
'.Adieux Monsieur Simon?'' repeated the
young girl with unaffected surprise ''hny,
pray where are you golngY'
TO America"
America ?" echoed MathIde, as her large
blue eyes clOuded up and her breath, IN spite OF
her efforts TO appear calm, seemed 10 eaten on
something In her throat.
"Yesn continued Bourneyal with difficulty,
deeply moved by this demonstration OF leelingi
Il have accepted a position as engineer on the
works of the Panama Canal. may never return
TO France. l long for the freedom and ltberallty
OF the New World. The old order OF things 0p
An, mon ami" answered Mathilde sadly,
you need not be so. You choose TO raise your
hand when no one threatens you.'
a To be silent is 10 approved" cried De Bourne
val dramatically. have no respect for the
weaknesses and prejudces OF those who nave
gone before me- he continued, with gesture OF
disdain, simply because they have been sanct-
fed by the solemnity OF legal enactments or
royal Decree"
In spite of herself Mathude's ears drank in
these Strances with mysterious pleasure. She
knew not why. out never before h Ia 60 nsf
brothers friend seemed so delightful, SO lasc
mating. His rich voice, as II rose ana Tell III tne
intensity of conviction, rang Ike the tones Oh a
" But Sure, my friend" exclaimed Mile. de
CToiXIuce, win smile sweet enough 10 melt
Rhadamanthine heart, t" you would not lay
- | would"
Maihllde tTembled and the faint tnge of rose
fed from her cheek
" For centuries" said Bourneyal, with sup
pressed VIgOr, bending forward and looking the
fair young girl full in the face, 'for centuries
this coWardly world has followed strange fan
cleS Look at our women! They bow IN all
humility 10 the degrading myth that curse has
been set upon them, that man is their MASTER
that some mysterious advantage Will accrue 10
them If they serve him in all patience and meek
ness. Mid idlOey has thus come TO be ato-
geJher honorable, both wOmanly and Wiley, and
men jeer at the strong minded woman as uuntted
for the sacred roles OF wife or mother. Our
women are slaveS!"
e l am no slaye!" replied Mathllde, with a sad
smile, looking calmly Into BourueyaPS face.
may not say that. You have never tasted lree-
dom. You have no standard TO Judge by. Your
slavery Is none the less actual because your
spirit dwells in beautiful prison"
"Do you not even believe In Cody? quelled
Matnide, the words struggling over her lips and
a strange look Of fear filling her clear blue eyes
ITO quote the language of your sacred book,
replied DE bOurneyal as gently as lie could al
though 1 have searched diligently L have not
been able 10 find him OUT"
Malhilde's eyes filled with tears; her bosom
rose and fell with terrible effOlt 10 throw OH
some dull weight which had suddenly fallen
upon it,
.'Oh, my friend. my poor friend =, she half
sobhed, NOW you are aStray. what is there sa-
cred in your lie? What are your sacraments?'
The right of every human creature to be
cried De BUuTneVal, his face flushed with enthu-
SaSm; aud those who contribute most TO the
worlds happiness the saints IN my calendar.
Sllle. de CIioXluce sat win her head resting