The morning call., 1890-12-07

manner. Offering her his arm, he led her
TO a rustic seat near the edge of the pond.
Il trust. madam" said he, that you will
be convinced that come TO you in some
thing more than the mere guise of friend
ship"
Madeleine fixed her eyes searchingly up-
on Boulanger's face. She was amazed to
find that there was no trace Of reproach or
condemnation there.
Then you-then he-Armand. she
wins cred breathlessly, turning her pale
did not upbraid me? Oh. l was so weak
so weak. bit would have stood firm had
not that terrible letter"
81 That letter. ma dsm," broke in Captain
Boulanser almost violently. "was an in
famous forgery! Armand could no more
have penned it than Lueifer have written
the beatitudes! His last breath was q bene-
diction upon your head!"
"A forsery?" cried Madeleine bewil-
dered. :" Oh, sir. spare me, dou't make my
crime blaeker than it is; | saw the letter
from Tonquin addressed to Monsieur DI-
mnntier. 1t was Armand's handwriting
there could be no mistaking it,
- Never, madam exclaimed Boulanger
in tone that sounded strangely solemn 10
Madeieine'S ears.
distracted look burning III Madeleine's eyes.
With a shrek she dashed away toward the
water. but strong arm restrained her ere
she had reached it. Boulanger led the
wreiched woman back to the pathway,
where they were joined by one of Nine
DIDlontier's maids, who with the Captain S
aid conducted her mistress to the house.
If Armand's friend had needed anything
to wbet the edge of his purpose 10 punish
the treacherons Dumontier, 1t was furnished
him by Madeleine upon his next interview
with her, when he learned that in order to
move the farmers daughter to abandon
Guiilot the old notary had had recourse to
the vile subterfuge of decefving the simple
minded Maitre Zephyre by announcing
speculations had turned out disastrously,
and that sure and steady ruin Was staring
tho farmer in the face. The bestowal OF
MadeleiDes hand upon his son R,ne was
the sole condition upon which the old no
tary stood ready tn go to Maitre Zephyre's
assistance. The solemn assurance from
Captain Boulanger-which Madeleine could
Lot hear too often-that Armand was per-
fectly convinced that her love had been
turned from him by some Infamous trick or
device, and that he nobly and generously
spoke of her as free from all completely,
carried much-needed balm to that poor
wounded heart.
Now that Captain Boulanyer had accom-
plished this half ofIhis mission his thoughts
turned with redoubled activity to what re-
manned to be done. He had already met
which he had been introduced by Guiilot'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 bolster
ous and iil-inannered at the card table and
even INSCRIPTIONS in his play. Hence il
was not at all to be wondered at that the
bot-blooded Partisan should have on snch
an occasion hurled his cards into Dumon-
tiers face and applied tile harsh epithets of
liar and cheat to him.
1t was still early in the evening Sud
denly it occurred TO Captain Bonlanger that
he had promised to pay a visit at Bose
Mesnil. BY good fortune his horse had not
been sent back to the stable, and eaping
into the saddle B0ulanger turned the ami
mails head toward the farm house. 1t
might be his lastvisi 1t might be the last
look that no would have in this world if that
sweet pale face with its wondrously tender
and soulful eyes. Dumontier had the repu-
taton OF being an excellant swordsman and
Captain BoulangeT, strange to say, did not
feel that steadinpss of nerve which he fain
would have desired 10 have, and for which
he was so justly famous.
Madeleine met him at tho door with a
smile which in no wise bettered matters.
The Captain had never yet fiinched before
woman's eyes, but he could not withstand
the mysterious fascination which looked out
at him from the windows of this woman'S
soul. He quailed before it and turned away
but he could not escape that sweetly melan-
choiy voice.. 1t followed him; it thrilled
him; it moved him like some faint melody
heard by drowning man; it promised help
and yet it seemed as il he would rather
listen and die than have it come too close to
him.
Madeleine; how pre0ccupled you are how
unlike yourself. Has aught happened? If
you have any troubles will You not let me
sympathize with your
The Captain blurted out some flimsy ex-
cuse for his -mindednesS, but 1t only
served to increase Madeleine's 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.
Bouanger had never presumed to call her
by her first name, but she seemed SO utterly
desolate that he softencd, and in sympa-
thetic tone of voice said:
Some, dear Madeleine. come. you must
strive to part with this sorrow. Don't you
hear me, Madeleine -"
With quick movement Madeleine looked
up and riveted her gaze with strange in
tensity upon Boulangers face.
A blind man could have read the thanks
In those tear-mostened eyes.
"Ah, my friend" she murmured. ssthis
world is firmly resolved that shall get no
happiness out of it. feel it. know IT,"
Suddenly it occurred to Captain Buulanger
again that possibly this was the last time he
should meet Madeleine, and he made an
effort to free himself from the mysterious
feeling of alteration which she inspired in
him.
Madeleine saw this and thanked him with
one of her smiles Of almost celestial sweet
ness. Again and again he called her Made
leine and every tine he spoke that name it
grew sweeter and sweeter to them both.
But suddenly a sort OF panicky fear came
upon him: His friends bleeding form rose
before him. He could hear Armand's
piteous cry:
Madeleine. Madeleine, wait for me-"
and he felt like thief in the hottest of
places reaching out for monstrunce or
chalce.
He rose to escape from Madeleine's pres
ence, but her hand was iaid upon his.
"0h.. Andre! Oh. my friend!' she
pleaded, wait, wait; l 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 ont your baud. I'm
lost If you withdraw your gaze from me il
cease to hear your voice. Oh. Andre,
Andre, can you not understand me?"
'TOO well. too well Madeleine ~ xvhi 4