Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-22


than us "a crime on his own part. lie
had undertaken duty--as important q
one Ms had ever been intrusted to a sol
dier-and he was about to fail in it. The
emperor, never hearing from him, would
suppose that he had been unfaithful and
had yielded to a base temptation. 1t was
more than probable that the whole fut-
IRE of France might be compromised by
his failure. He writhed in helpless ago
ny at the reflection. And every hour
every minute--he grew worse, and knew
that fate would be too much for him.
Dupont meanwhile faithfully tended
him; the lanls red haired adveuturer dis
played all the tact and cleverness of u
woman. He always spoke cheerfully to
the sick man. and his genius for telling
amusing stories seemed to grow with the
demands upon it. Nevertheless, Dupont
knew that the chances of his friends re-
covery were in1initesimal, and he per-
ceved that he had something on his
mind. Dupont had previously made up
his mind that he would find out what
sclange's mystery was, and he awaited
developments.
One evening, after a long silence, So
lange spoke:
GLOW far are we from Panama. Fran
cois:'
"Still two days at least, if the wind is
fair, mon brave"
"Sacre!-I shall never last it QUIT"
"Never lose heart! You will be all
right in day or two
Il shall be at the bottom OF the ocean.
| All, | know it! | have tried my best.
but it is no use. The emperor will curse
me for scoundrel.'
1.-The emperor" repeated Dupont, look
ing up.
Did l say the emperor! Bah! MY
mind wanders."
Listen to me, Maurice" said Dupont,
bending over. Your mind is not wan
dering but there is weight upon it.
have seen it all along, it has retarded
your recovery. Come! am your friend
am | not; II | Were as you are | would
confde in YOU. | don't know what wor-
lies you; but, if | did, might be able to
help you. And if can you don't doubt
that | Which? Come, free your soul,
my lad, and your body will be all the
better for it."
If | were sure that Unjust die'-mut-
tered Solange, hcsitating.
You are Il sick man; but l have told
YOU the only chance for recovery" said
Dupont, Struggling his shoulders, zone
believes in Providence, suppose? Wei,
is it not Providence that has sent your
best friend to your side at such a mo-
ment:'
The dying man fixed his eyes upon the
speaker. "Francois,' he said, 'it | tell
you this secret will you swear to be
faithful to the trust: VIII You carry it
ont as if you were myself: This is nC
child's play, be sure Of that. You are a
good felioW-you are my friend; but if
you were my brother or my father il
would not be too much"
make yourself easy on that score
mon cher" returned the adventurer, lay
ing his hand on the others shoulder. 81
don't want to drag out Of you anythins
you prefer to keep to yourself and it i.
only in your own interest that | speak
Bat as to trusting me-what shall say,
| have lived Us | cant don't deny it
but after all, am an honest man, and
would aS soon think of betraying YOU a
of scutt.ing this ship and swimming
ashore Noila.'
III you keep vour word, Francois, yoI
will be fortunate the rest Of your life, :
SAID Solange, "but," be added, hal
; raising himself on one elbow, If yoJ
, do bcUray me, may you die as am dy
, ing, and with no one to love you; ane
until You die my ghost shall haunt yol
day and night and make your life hor
ror,'
"Bah! bah! there is no need of this,
, said Dupont, with a laugh. II hav,
said that you may trust me, and l cal
say no more, Now, do as best please
you"
, Bend over here" faltered the othe
huskily, and let inc whisper in you
car
Solange died just after midnight. Du
pont, after securing all the papers tina
he could find in the stateroOm, prepare,
, the body for burial, ano with the assist
y ance Of the captain heavel it overheard
MAY your sleep be peaceful, old com
, rade," he muttered, as he leaned owe
! the bulwarks and marked the phCsphC
, resent giimmer as the corpse sank int
3 the depths Of the sea. Truly YOU ha
, a heavy load to carry on this earth. Yo
3 We're not equal to it; and Providence
, who favOrs the strong, transferred il t
a me. Well, | shall know what to d
with it, ghost or no ghost Farewell.
i, The Santa Lucia reached her port tW
days later. A tall, red haired man, VIII