Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-10-15

SG&a |
10 the cannon and wondering if any one |
would be left alive by morning, the en-
peror came in.
HE looked as if he had been wounded
to death himself; and SO he had, though |
not by sword or bullet. His heart and
spirit were broken. But he saluted me
courteously, and said: We are ruined,
II. de Lisle. I am about to order the
white flag to be hoisted. But | wish to
say to you that it is not your fault that
France falls today. You saw the rem
edy, and urged it; you have also ex-
posed your life like a brave man, and IN
O manner to effect the best results. You
have done well, and I thank you. In an
hour I shall cease to be emperor; mean-
while, let me bestow upon You What is
in my power to bestow.' He then gave
me the cross from his breast, and put in
my hand a folded paper-the patent Of
nobility. 4 have observed your con
duct he said, and provided this recog-
milton of it. Had destiny been kind to
us you should have been great in
France"
sit was very nice of him" remarked
Olympia. "No wonder you like such a
man."
81 entreated him to go to America"
continued the count, land offered to
undertake to bring him here. | said:
when these troubles are over France
will ask for you again But he answered
that it was too late. France will never
forgive me this defeat he said; and, be-
sides, 1 am a dying man. l once thought
there might be a future for me and had
taken steps to assure it. But all that is
past hope. 1 shall retire to England. Do
you go to America, if you will, and seek
the fortune that | have lost Other
things he told me; among them secrets
known only to himself. But I weary
you, mademoiselle, with so long astory."
But Olympia had been deeply inter
ested. Beneath an outward Quietude Of
speech and manner there was in Count
de Lisle a suppressed fire and emphasis
that fascinated the attention and sum
moned pictures before the imagination.
Fixing her eyes upon his strong, reserved
features Olympia wondered at the at
traction he had for her. And again,
when she looked away, she had a notion
that he was somehow less a stranger
, than he appeared. Some natures exer-
else a mutual magnetism owe each other,
so that when they meet it is as if they
had known each other before.
Olympia's fine organization made her
susceptible to impressions that had no
existence for ordinary people. The eff
feet, in this instance, was to incline her
to preserve. Ayoung maiden instructive
ly resists whatever threatens to subdue
her, and, moreover, in Olyinpia's mem
DRY, the figure of keppel Darke remained
as something sacred, not to be disturbed.
"How shall You amuse yourself in
New York." she asked, breaking a short
silence.
81 have made some plans" he said;
"but the first thing is to make the ac-
q~uaintance of the people. That must
do quickly, for this winter l mean to
give a ball at my new house, and every
one who is anybody must be there. AT
ter that I shall be at home and can at
tend to my own business. | am going
to build a school of art"
Olympia Immediately forgot her hest
tations. "That's good news!'' she ex-
claimed. ''There is nothing l could de-
sire more. But what will be the plan
of it,"
If knew you were fond OF art" op-
served the count, looking curiously at
her. Il will not say your little pictures
are beyond criticism, but there is some
thing in them that l like, and that rem
ders them very valuable to me. But l
didn't know that your interest in the ad-
vancement of art lay so near your heart"
81 once had a very dear friend who
was an artist, and l was thinking more
of him than of myself" She drew a
signing breath, but did not blush. 81
can imagine what he would nave wished,
and I should be glad to see it done"
"This friends not now EyingT
said the count gently.
HE died nearly three years ago."
"And you still think of him and wish
to see his dreams realiZedf" The count
spoke these words in an undertone, and
rather as if communing with himself
than addressing Olympia. SIT will give
me pleasure, madenoiselle," he con-
tinued, in another voice, 'to know that
in carrying out my projects 1 am also
fulfilling the desires of one who was dear
to you"
She had listened with rising color and
sparkling eyes. at would be glorious!'
she cried, pressing her hands together.
"But can it be doneF"
MANY a poorer man than l could do
as much as this" he replied. 'There is
capital enough in this country engaged
IN spreading Industries and developing
resources. Civilization can spare me
what I need for this hobby of mine; and
perhaps a future generation will think
me less unwise than the present one"
The count had become moved beyond
his wont by the train of thought he was
INDUCING, and had risen from his chair,
and was pacing upand down the room.
AT this juncture his attention happened
to be attracted to a portrait that hung
in an alcove at the left of the window,
It was IN admirable likeness of Olym.
} pia herself.
"Ahw he exclaimed, stopping short
| He remained silent and motionless fol
! several moments, but finally said, in an
3 Indifferent tone: 'fThat is a good work.
3 Is it your own?'
"Oh, no. / cannot paint like that,
puc icpiiCu' 1udb WIS pdiuIeu ny LII
friend, the artist. It was the Last thinf
he did before his DEATH"
"a good work" repeated the count
"Are you willing to dispose of it? Yor
can name your W price for it. Frank
/ ly, I have taken a fancy to it,"
2 81 cannot sell it," said Olympia. 81
is the most precious thing to me in tn
world"
, The count continued to look at tn
g portrait, but his face slowly REDEEMED
g "You will pardon me, mademoiselle,
l he said in a low voice. 81 had not SUP
posed that you had"-he hesitated-
q that you had conseerated yourself to
memory. Our friends are dear to u
o while they remain with us--we Low
g them-but when they are gone, an,
, years have passed since their departure
the sentiment becomes less controlling
u It is three years, you say, since this ma
y died. May / say that it seems to hav
been a remarkable friendship"
at was not a common friendship
n Count de Lisle, and there was never an
10 one like Keppel Darke. II you kne,
. what he"-
d "Keppel Darkel" interrupted hecount
20 "a have heard the name. Yes, it wa
n ea~,4 e.,~l NJ. D~-- -