The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-02

hulking husband of hers was cured, after
starving eleven years to feed him. Oh.
these Parisiansl these ParisiansW shak-
ing her head dolefully, They've been lit
tie cracked ever since the wal" and Shout
dering her faggots she numbered down the
hill
Nine. Perreau knew the chateau of DR..
Bourdel only too well. From the west win
dow of the gray house, when she was
dreaming over her work late O. nights, she
looked with longing eyes at its graceful
Norman tower cleaning like silver in the
moonlight. The lacelike balconies would
be such delightful places for Jean to sit
and dream on warm summer days. 1t
angered her to have that tempting villa al
ways before her eyes morning, noon and
night, to remind her of her misery. She
had begun TO hate the very sight of its vine
grown walls.
Today it seemed as if Nine Perreau
would never reach the green eminence on
which it stood. The heat was oppressive;
she was faint from having eaten nothing
since morning. The perspirstion rolled
down her heated cheeks: her hair had strug
gled from its fastenings and fioated wildly
about her face. The dust covered her from
head to foot As she struggled on the
hedges seemed to close in about her as if 10
hold her back The. chateau, with its
cleaning roof, melted away in the distance
as if trying to elude her.
Who would have recognized La Belle
Elise of other days in the bedraggled figure
that sank down exhausted in the shadow
of the hedge that skirted, the Doctors gar
deni The music Of a fountain soothed her
tired senses. The sight of the house that
held all that was dearest to her on earth
made her forget her great WEAKNESS. And
yet she felt dOuf-an unrest in her heart
that she could not define.
But when the gold pieces jingled in the
rusty sachel her hopes revived. How he
would welcome her, bringing such joyous
news She could feel his arms about her
even now and grateful tears falling upon
her face. The very thought gave her
strength. She walked slowly toward the
fountain and sat down on the rustic bench
by its margin.
She wanted to think over what she was
to say TO Jean the moment she saw him.
She was too excited to face him just then.
What should she say2 What should she
say to this stranger who had Lot seen her
face for eleven long years.
1t is forbidden for strangers to enter
these grounds without the doctors per
mission" interrupted voice. She turned
A servant in dark blue livery was cycling
her curiously.
81 came 70 see my husband" rising.
HE is here under the doctors treatment
for his eyes"
Mime. Perresu"
"Yes."
BE seated. They are even now coming
out" lie turned away. She sat down.
Her heart was beating wildly. She did not
dare TO look toward the house.
She heard the crunching Of the gravel
on the path. She turned. She saw Jean
and with him DR. Bourdel. as she sup
posed. guiding him gently with one hand
on his arm.
rs it better now, my poor friendp asked
the doctor.
MY eyes are so dim with tears that every
thing is misty" said Jean. 'Ahl to come
out of eleven years of night into this glori-
Gus day"
But you can see"
Distinctly now" wiping his eyes. "Oh,
is it possible there can be misery in such q
lovely world As thisi"
1T is not the fault Of nature, you may
be sure" said the doctor with a smile.
Nine. perreau moved toward him. Their
eyes met. Hers soft with love; his cold,
passionless. He regarded her curiously as
she struggled 10 speak.
who is this woman" be said, looking
at the doctor inquiringly. The other shook
his head.
T.,
choked with tears it was like another speak
ing
MY wife, he said. raising bis eyes
dreamily toward the sky. la Belle Elise
had glad, blue eyes and softly rounded
cheeks and curling hair Of gold A face
like st. Ceciha's, worthy 70 Dc worshiped-
He paused His eyes scanned the wan,
white face, the si!vering hair, the dusty,
shabby dress lie shook his head No
no. nv good woman. gently. You have
made mistake. do not know you"
His eyes wandered 20 the rose bushes Be-
yond the Towering parterre He passed
slowly down the path He did not look
bsck.
Madame watched hiru 70 with dry, tear
less eyes Her hat mad fallen Of The
sunlight touched her hair with gold.
Doctor she cred. in agony, why did
you do it Why did you do IL We were
happy before-vhen be NAs blind But
noE-but now, with son. he does 10,
know me-hrs wife HIS eyes have been
opened God in mercy Close mine
she fell az his fe~t. The gold from the
open sAcheI was scattered over Der dusty
dress and bled hair. covering her with
a uockinz significance. IL vas = glorious
pail for Ia Belle EIise-ErneS9 Delaney
Piers0n IA ~ Louis Republic
An ObJeetios