The morning call., 1890-06-22


pleasures a course which had succeed In
draining purse and health with astonishing
rapidity.
Both Nine de Yigne9 and JuIiette-now
girl OF g and giving every promise OF rare
beauty and sweety sympathetic eharecter-were
al this time making the most patient and earnest
efforts TO check the malady with which Jacques
had been stricken, and Il was with heavy hearts
that they noticed his apparent rebellion OF late
against the strict regimen prescribed by his ply
slcanS and his frequent return TO tue villa after
The night dew had begun 10 fall
Nine. de Nignes. not only in view Of the
fact that Julietfe's ample fortune would now
come in most opportuueIy to swell her sons
sadly reduced revenues, but also for the reason
that Juliette was an altogether charming aud de-
lightfu girl, certain TO make a noble vile and
devoted mother, had dreamed OF a union between
her and Jacques Now, however, an opposition,
as strange as IL was STUBBORN, mao arisen 10
thwart her Wishes not, as might be readily sup
posed, based upon the Tact of jacques Illness,
apparently past all human aid, but upon ro
mantle within or sentimental notion OF Jacques,
that he must out OF gratitude TO Pierre for the
long years OF unSeltsh affection for and devotion
TO him, give him Juliette," as he phrased 1t.
"He must have her, mother" were the sick
mans Olt-repeated words. "He is worthy OF her,
TOO. for where, pray tell me, can you mud no.
bier, more unselhSli, more industrious, more tai.
ented man lhan Pierre Laurier? Ia been dead
ten times over had he not watched over me,
nursed me- saved me from myself. God bless
him."
Nine. de Vignes was only too ready to admit
the justice of jacques position.
"Buf, my son." urged his mother. "Juliette
loves you. Juliette has always loved you. |
can't say 10 her, stop loving jacques and begin
to love Pierre"
For his devotion to Jacques and for his watch
full care over his weak and erring friend Juiiette
was deeply and heartily grateful 10 the young
artist, aud he was always sure of mOst cordial
welcome from both her and Mime de YigneS.
One evening shortly after bis break with Glenn
ence Laurler received special invitation 10 dine
with the De Vtgnes He found Jacques alone In
the salon, and his heart sank within him at sight
OF the progress which tile instdiOuS allment had
made OF late 10 sapping the last remnant of DE
Yignes' Vitality.
81 must be quick" murmured the artist, ''or 1t
Will be too late"
The fact is, Jacques had within the past few
weeks experienced such feeling Of utter hope
essness aud despair in his struggle for life that
the darling project of his college days, tO-wlt:
the bestowal of the hand of the beautiful heiress
Juelte upon his worthy and industrious friend
Pierre so engrOssed his thoughts that Nine.
de Vignes, yielding to The wbim, had promised
on this particular evening to make Juliette look
as radiant as The morning star" SO poor
Jacques had expressed Ii.
"Where's JulieIte?" asked Laurier.
"Ob, don't be impatient, my boyi" replied
Jacques, rubbing his thin, transparent hands to-
then you'll see something TO set your artistic
imagination In culver of delight-a dream of
loneliness, very substantial dream, too, my
dear friend, 10000 francs income What do
you say to that?"
Riches are death 10 art, Jacques" replied
Pierre solemnly, as he dropped into a seat and
passed his hand over his eyes as If TO brush
away those shadows and shapeIesS forms which
so oiIen float before the weary eye.
d" Bah," exclaimed Jacques, "the money
wouldn't be yours Juette could order an occa-
siOnal picture when trade was dull that's all.
But what's The matter. Old fellow? One would
say that you had The consumption, and that
was the big-chesied and red-eheeked artist
Why, cheer up, man, you look five years older
than you did the other evening at PalrZzIs
Don't worry about me, this dying business Is
or atty exaggerated, you know. It's only the
affair OF a minute. It's just the same death on
the stage; ii creates a thousand pangs in the
Ptafn ami NJ ha I'm rfO
Juette now made her appearance and II must
be confessed she came fully up TO the description
which Jacques had given his friend.
Pierre Laurler had never her look so
lovely. and his sadness lifted for a moment as
his ewes followed the tall, graceful, willowy
creature about the room. Mime. de YigneS had
kept her word and exhausted Der ingenuity in
dressing the young girl bee0mngly-a charming
simplicity 10 attire which displayed the exquisite
dellcacy OF her hgurr, united with Greek
couture, which lent a most piquant and arch ex-
preston 10 her face and head.
The dinner was not very gay. Do all that be
could, Jacques could not arouse the painter from
the settled melancholy which seemed 10 have
fastened Itself upon MIN. AT an early hour Nine.
de Vlgnes led her son from the room, reminding
him that the physicians had recommended AS
much sleep before mfuntght possible.
Juelte was seated at the piano, engaged In
improyslng low. sweet melody, talent which
she possessed In MAJ ked degree. Lauiier sat
near her. Ever and anon the odor OF the spray
Of jasmine which was pinned upon her cOrsage
reached tile artist and an almost suifOcaing sen
sation came over him. The conflict within his
soul was terrible. On one side he seemed to see
Jacques almost 1eshless hands projecting above
black and staguant pool, as il lmplorng him TO
reach out quickly; the other maiden OF
angelic meln. Tobed Ia trailing robes OF white.
fastened her pleading eyes upon him and whsp-
cred, " Take me; III bless your life forever"
And the beautiful enchanlress rose before him,
her eyes filled with that savage CLEAN last
seen by him there. Her mocking laugh broke
harsby in upon me solemn peace OF his friends
home, and he heard her cry out: 81 shall take
him, and only ior your sake" with this. Laur
ier's heart beat hard ana fast. He called 10 mind
his threat, 81 You shall see me again." and as he
tasted this delightful cup which revenge set to
his lips, be clencned his hands and murmured,
must; must do it,"
- Must do what, Monsieur Pierre?" inquired
Juette, arcby, as she wheeled her seat around
and faced The sollloquiZing artist.
INST save Jacques 70 said Pierre slowly and
solemnly.
"Saye Jacques? Oh. Monsieur Pierre" cried
the tar young maiden In trembling voice,
clasping her hands and fixing her large brown
| eyes on the artist, wouia TO heaven that you
could save our poor Jacques My last words on
| earth would nvoNe blessing on you"
"And II do save him. Juliette," continued
Pierre, 'you win become his wife, VIII you not7"