The morning call., 1890-07-13
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER Ill
Although the weight OF fifty years acted as
somewhat of a drag upon De Councils In his run
before The strong winds Of human passions, yet
The only change OF course observable was a
slight veering away from eDioyments and gratl-
1cations usually cataogued for men OF his age
as absolutely dangerous" Time seemed
utterly powerlesS TO abate any OF the harshness
and unsympatheIlc quality Of bis nature. Even
the distlllation of his mrth had an alkaline
flavor. To Mathilde lie remained the same-the
man who th inks q woman's thoughts should be
consecrated 10 the adOrnment OF her body and
the salvation OF her soul. These are poison
and antidote," he used 10 say.
Nor was II possible for Nine. de ,COurclls, al
though she never tired OF making the effort to
draw any comfort and consolation from the
lives of her two sons, Paul and Andre. They
looked upon her as perpetual menace to that
indulgence which once enjoyed by child Is
jealousy chung TO as a natural right, and they
were only too quick to learn from their father
that that respect which man pays TO woman
is, some way or other, concession on his part,
rather than any inherent right on hers.
But Mime. de Courcils by the birth of a third
son, TO whom the name OF Rene was given. was
now enabled to look with more OF resignation
upon the marked lack OF tenderness in the
natures OF her other children, and of her conse-
quent loss, 80 far as they were concerned of that
sweet gratincation OF a mothers love-tne coin
In which Childhood is supposed to pay its way.
Rene proved TO be as gentle and ovabie as
Paul and Andre were frOward and uusympa-
thetc, aud althoughlMlle de COurclls made per.
sistent and laborous effort to infuse seme OF the
u
was doomed TO meet with ignominlous failure
The child was not 10 be corrupted. From his
mothers clear blue eyes, made even more
glorious In bis face, beamed a tenderness or
flashed n courage and devotion which were as
surprising TO the outer world as they were full
OF balm TO his mother. When but five years OF
age the lash OF his toy whip set crimson line
one day on his brother Andres cheek because
the latter dared TO wag his tongue in anger
against his mother.
He is beginning to show little of the "spirlt
of the De Courclls." said Mathilde with quet
smile as she caught her tiny champion to ner
bosom and pressed kiss on his little cheek,
still hot With indignation.
"fle, sir, strike your own brOtheri" exclaimed
Mile. de Courcils, as her thin blood struggled to
make Itself Visible through the heavy LAYER of
powder which coated her face.
Yes, when he does wrong!" was Rene's an
swer.
At the very moment when Mathilde,s new life
had with Its stoIe OF love succeeded In setting
the balance even, and there seemed to be many
years OF deep, calm and satisfying happiness
awaiting her. death, with that terrible pleasure
which II appears to take III striking where you
least expect II, ended all.
A severe cold, contra cted while ministerng to
the wants OF a sick child OF one OF the tenants
developed rapidly Into dangerous inflammation
aud De Courcils wife died, as she had lived for
the past six years, with a smile on her Iips-a
smile 80 sweet and llfelike thai 1t seemed almost
a mockery TO say that she was dead.
The blow staggered DE Courcils and he went
about for a brief time with dazed look upon his
face. like man whose intellect has been dis
ordered by some severe business reverses
De BOurneyal aged five years In a single night
and upon his pale and thoughtful face DESPAIR
set lis cruel impress.
Rene, with the blessed privilege of that con-
vulsIye grief only accorded 10 childhood SOON
ceased 10 sob only 10 awake. however, TO a sor.
row harder TO bear when, In reply TO bis inquiry
When will Uncle Simon Teturn?p Mile de
Courciis answered harshly and CURLY: Z" Per-
haps neverp
De Bourneval had gone TO Paris after Ma
thilde's death TO attend to some private AFFAIRS
but with no intention OF seDar ating from ms old
friend De Courcils. Here II was than 10 his more
fore the family notary OF the Croixluces and he
present at the opening and reading OF The last
will and testament Of hime. de Councils
De Courcts was already In the room and
greeted DE Bourneval with churlish indliier.
ence that showed only TOO plainly that he cousid.
cred him an interloper.
Gentlemen" said The old notary with judi.