The morning call., 1890-06-22

"oh. yesl" she exclaimed joyously; then
wishes il. But / fear that JACQUES loves some
body else. He doesn't seem TO care Tor me. L
suppose he looks upon his life as SO nearly over
that II would be folly"
The young girl besitated.
But persisted Pierre, "n. I should send
him to you some day happy and hearty, you Will
make him love you. wont you, Juliette?"
Tears ehoked her voice. She held out her hand
TO PIERRE who pressed II TO his lips.
Why, this Is dellghtfulr' he thought to him,
self. Save Jacques, make Julietie happy and
punish her all by one and the same blow"
Nine. de Yignes now entered the room with a
request from jacques that Laurier should pass
the night under their roof, as was In fact often
his custom
But he warns you, Monsieur Pierre" cried
Nine. de Vignes, laughingly, mot 10 make your
appearance at Breakfast with the same solemn
vlsage which you've worn this evening"
The night was surprisingly beautiful, and
Pierre. throwing of his coat and vest and loosen
ing his shirt al The neck, TO get rid, II possible,
of the feeling OF sufiOcation which weighed upon
his breast sat down by the window. He noticed
that he was in jacques room, from which, on
account OF the chilly air from the water, he had
been removed TO one on the land side of The villa.
CAV, jacques is right" unused the artist; ut Is
only the affair OF minute, ana gives no pair,
save TO the spectator. Then why not tonight Pr
The dreamy splash OF the fountain on the Ter
race and the faint, sad murmur OF the sea as IL
broke on the stony shore, were sounds IN
sweetest harmony with Pierre Laurier's thoughts
and sleep least OF all things seemed likely to
come TO him, he rose half unconseiously with The
intention of descending TO the terrace. AS he
gaZed Into the mirror he shuddered, so ashen-
pale was bis face and such a mysterious light
shone from his eyes. He had never seen himself
If that was lie. Suddenly he gave a start, his
breath came in puffs and cold drops of perspira-
tiun gathered Oh his brow. jacques pistol was
lying in front of him. Gradually the fearful
sinking sensation passed off The painter looked
Into the mirror and smiled, then reaching out
took up the weapon, thrust it into his pocket and
passed nolselessly OUT OF the room.
The deliclOusy cool night air soon rid the
painters brain OF all its phantoms and he sat
down where he could look out on tile sea and
heal Its voice more plainly.
Suppose DavidOff should be wrong?' he
whispered to himself, "suppose this thing called
my SOUL this breath, this shadow, should not
Yield obedience 10 my WHY Wen, what harm?
A few tears few ali mes and would be for.
gotten. When only one goes so many are still
left And IL would be a tiiumph Tor CleineDce
Villa. Must | not be superb she would say,
that men are willing TO die for me this way All,
but If | can only return, what long sweet in
tOXicating draught OF revenge will be mine! And
jacques, too. restored TO health and my name
coupled each day with blessing by that child
Of heaven, sleeping sweetly beneath that roof
which have now abandoned forever Farewell,
Jacques: take my SOUL freely, willingly. give II
TO thee"
a soft low voice, so TREMENDOUSLY sweet that 1t
seemed to have fallen from the heavens over his
bead.
''JuIiette !"
what would you do Monsieur Pierre?" was
spO Ell again in that same gentle voice.
save Jacques" muTmured Pierre.
Save Jacques p" size repeated slowly, ''if that
is what you would do, come, for he is dying and
calls for you. Your voice, your touch may save
him, come !"
Taking lferre by the hand, Julfette led him
slowly INFO the house. The paroXysm had al
ready passed and Jacques welcomed his friend
with faint smile ana feeble pressure OF the hand.
Toward morning, Pierre prevailed upon Nine. de
Nignes and Juliette to 60 TO rest and Ell him
watch out the rest Of the night alone jacques had
now fallen asleep aud his friend sat there by the
bedside thinking over the strange events of the
night, how Juliette had stayed his hand at the
very moment he was about 10 set his soul free,
and al the very moment, too, when JACQUES was
crying out for II.
fought not to heed this admonition?" Pierre
asked himself. Fought | not TO turn back at
JulieIte's call? Is tins not the hand OF late laid
upon my shoulder? Fate? What is fate but
another name for surrender? Men make fate as
much as fate makes them. Jullette bids ne save
jacques. IN obey her. Davdof Is right; II Is
not physical power that Jacques stands In need
of but will power He Is dying because he re-
fuses TO fight for breath until nature can repair
the ev,l done by his ancestors"
An, jacques, awake, are your murmured
the artist as the sick man opened his eyes and
gave deep sigh OF regret at sight of earthly
light again. "dIink this, 1t Will strengthen yous'
SAID Pierre.
Jacques obeyed mechanically.
"HOw useless, how useless" lie whispered, as
he sank back upon his pillow; what do a few
days longer signify, my friend? Why not let me
go? Why cling to me SOP"
Listen, Jacques" said Pierre, impresslvely,
"theTe Is really no need oil yorr going at all.
DaYidoff says, ana believe him, that hundreds
OF men lead active lives and attain old age with
no more lung surface than you have; that the
other organs OF your body are entirely Tree from
disease aud that II Is simply case of de-
pressed spirits caus. by the presence of car
bonic aciu gas In your system; thai you are dy-
ing, in other words, OF indifference aud despond-
enCy."
Call it what you WILL dear Pierre" murmured
the sick man, Il ain dying. nevertheless; but
don't let il worry you. l know IL Is not pleasant.
Ii is as much a bore 10 you, suppose, as t is 10
me. II is such roundabout road. | always did
hate curves and angles when | was at school.
Don't you remember now they used to call ME
'straight-line jacques
at IS wonderful !" said Laurler 10 himself, as
he gaZed upon his friends face. "See what a
Transformation has taken place He Is not tile
same person. The very moment be Is rescued
from himself he begins TO mend. DayidoH Is
right, this is a disease Of the mad and can save
him. l can breathe spirit into that frali body
which Will rescue ii from dissolution The soul
OF Pierre Laurier in the body of JACQUES de
Nignes."
- Jacques" suddenly cried Pierre, give me
your hands. Nay, both of them, now press hard
and look me fun In the face, but don't think let
me do tbe thinking Be passive. receptive. as II
were expecting to hear some call or sound, or
have some hand touch you. Now. tell me,
Jacques, what do you see. do you see no one, dc
you hear nothtng?"
" Yes, yes, Pierre" whispered DE Vignes, as
he chung convulsively TO the painters hands, his
lips parted, his breath coming with sound OF