The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-17

movements here and there and taking note oil the
smallest detail. Suddenly the slight giimmer
which had continued to make It's way through
one Of my eyes and keep me IN communication
with the outer world went out ~
Nine Cabin had closed my eyes. AS felt her
fingers on my eyellds The full consciousness OF
nv awful condition broke upon me, and could
feel an icy GOODNESS creeping Inward from the
ends OF my limbs toward my heart
Little dear" said Nine. Cabin, turning TO
Marguerite, who had entirely ceased crying,
atheTe are certain things to be done now. The
death must be reported to the authorities and ar
engagements for the funeral must De mace. you
are not In condition 10 attend TO such detalis
and am not willing TO leave you alone, So II you
have no objection, I'll go and see II Mr. Simon
As Nine Cabin pronounced this name could
hear Marguerites breath come and go with
rushing sound.
"iITacious Ieavenlu thought TO myself, sis
be here. beneath this very roof? Never never
Will permit this hated creature to enter tLlS
sacred chamber, to take charge Of my burial, to
cuBdoe with my beloved Marguerite, and, most
maddenng thought OF all, TO offer her bis heart,
his love, his money, his protection. NO, no! l
Will come back from the deaGi L VIII open these
eyes, which they think are closed forever, and
this tongue shall cry out In hot Indignation
against this sacrilege."
In vain, IN vain. Although l called upon my
soul with frantic entreaty to lend me just
strength enough TO sit up in bed and whisper
single word OF warning, il would not heed me.
was DEAD dead. The dread chill Kept creeping
nearer and nearer to my heart. longed 10
shrek, 10 howl, 10 grind my teeth and clench my
=, Ii
Death hello me in his embrace. L could only lie
there and listen in the impenetrable darkness
which enVelOped me.
sTnis is Mr. Slmoneau," half whispered Nine.
Cabin.
In an agony of suspense waited to catch the
first sound OF his voice, for something whispered
10 me that it might possibly be some other
SimOneau.
Marguerite began sobblng again. and there
was moment OF deep silence, broken only by
these accents Of woe. IL came AT last, full,
deep, round voice:
II am entirely at your service. madam. 1
trust you will permit me TO take charge OF every
thing for YOU"
on, horforl Oh, torment, There was no mis-
taking that voice. II was SimOneau. Slmoneau,
the hated rival. from whose clutches ilad barely
succeeded In saving Marguerite. S:-.s>ueau, the
y tall. handsome with the red cheeks and
loved, but whom she had resigned to become The
wife ola poor, miserable wretch, devoid OF for
tune, lacking In every bodily grace, whose life
hung by thread whose deep-set eyes burned
Win a sickly fame and whose pale lips parted
over teeth blackened by the acrid medicines
necessary TO keep body and soul together.
More than ever / recognized now that was
dead-dead in tie full sense OF the wOTd-eSe
had the presence OF this man called me back to
life again. | could hot hear that Marguerite
made any reply 10 SimoDeaUs oilefi Dut pres
emily became aware OF the proximity OF Nine.
Cabin and SimoBeau 10 my bedside. She was
whispering 10 him about the expenses OF the
funeral, and was telling him Low much Cabins
funeral had cost her, ana proposed asking Mar
guerIie whether she had any money but Simon
eau restrained her. My soul reYOlted al Inc
Thought Of having my funeral expenses paid by
TINS man, aud | lay there suffering ten thou
SAND torments, when I heard him leave tile room.
mine. CABIN also took her departure, In order 10
PepaFe some dinner for Marguerite. We were
dlohe strained every fiber OF my body 10
maze some slight movement and attract my be-
lONed WlIe'S attention. l called upon heaven 10
oien my eyes Tor single Instant that / might
look upon my beautiful Marguerite ana In that
look tell her all. But no. no; ii was all I'm vain
Marguerite refused 10 touch lie food which
NINE. Cabin had prepared, and as | Law there
listening TO the faint rumble OF the Dusy streets
OF Paris, as 1t came through the open window a
harsh, strange voice suddenly fell upon INV ear
Ii was Tie Medical Inspector
Where's The bOdy?' he inquired.
Simoneau had followed him In.
" Shall hold the candle for your" asked the
latter
at is not necessary" replied the inspector.
+" What time did he dep"
"At O'clock this morning." answered
SlmOneau.
Every instant thought this officer would ap.
proach my bed, feel my pulse, put his to my
breast, look at my eyeballs. and thus discover
that my soul had not yet taken flight; but no, he
turned and left tile room for | heard Simoneau
say:
a Good might, sir"
NY fate was sealed. The law had decreed