The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-10

they recall the times when as mere children
they hand-ln-haHd rOamed the dalsed helds TO-
gether, and, later, thelf lovers Walks Dy many
babbling stream.
"Yes, / remember everything" says Pauline,
"and II we had to part / should not forget the
bank OF the river where we children used TO
gather The long reeds ana myosois. You held
me very tightly 10 prevent me from falling. /
trusted you much that could see no danger,
but II you were TO leave ME | would still go and
gather flowers, which | would leave for you on
the river bank, and ! would forget that you
would never be there again TO hold me close ~
They part with mutual assurances OF affection,
and after having come TO the determination 10
fly together to some distant town on the morrow.
THE FIFTH ACT,
Wherein Pauline, worn and wasted with ment al
and ply steal suffering is discovered lying on her
wretched bed OF straw In the cottage garnet, is
full OF pathos. Her aunt throws her INFO a state
OF the greatest agitation by saying that she can
10 longer afford her shelter, persuading her 10
tejoin her husband, and stating that II is mat
ter Of common report that Francois whom Paul
iue has not seen for afortnigbt loves another. In
her weakness and despair she becomes a prey
to hallueinatiou. She thinks she hears Cadet
saying, " You are my wlfe-my prey-While l
shall be, you shall be bound to my tieshT' And
as head appears through the skylight she be-
leves it is his, and sbrieks out in her paroXysm
OF terror, Don't come a step nearer, or I'll dig
my nails into your fieshi'-
"Mam'z elle!" cries Defuble, the shepherd, for
1t is he, and Pauline recognizing him. cries,
"PrOtect me- Defuble k-Cadet-There-
XIII him-Kill hmv'-and falls writing on her
her side, and the latter exclaims, ''AlI, she IS
killing herself! 1t is who am doing III"
For moment Paullhe's reason returns to her,
and she says, caressiDg him, Why don't we go
away, Francois? Yes, yes, Francois, let MS go; L
am dying; I've only one thought, one wish-to 20
away with you. Oh, why don't we gO?' Fran
co.'s tries to make her understand the pledge lie
has given to his parents, and adds: you must
see that all is over between US; your husband
comes between u.s."
IAN! my husbandl He. always her" she cries,
shiveriug. and presently adds "Whar, II lie
should die?" ave sworn to do my duty" saws
Francois "DO yours; go back" She then
walks 10 the door with a heavy and hating step,
saying, Yes; you arc right; / must. will go
back TO Nieneuve," and she leaves him prey
TO poignant grief
The last scene is powerful and tragic TO a
degree. There is no stralning ate effect, and
the events follow in natural sequence.
Pauline, who is quite out OF her mind without
the fact being fully recognized by Cadet or her
father-the doctor having only told them that
she is excessively III, and that the slightest
emotion would bring on violent and
dangerous crisis-is back again In her old
home. Haunted by the one fixed idea, which
has taken possession OF her, that Cadet must die
IN order Tor her To be freed from his hateful
presence, she descends from her chamber TO the
sale de ferme, where lie Is seated alone, ard
with the motions of sletp-waiker she takes
sickle hanging against The wall and advances
toward him. Cadet attaches no significance to
her actions, and lustful TO a degree, he intrudes
his passion on her at the very moment he is
most repusive In her sight The mad girl
valnly struggles TO escape from his embrace and
his hateful caresses and at last Wild with rage
kills him with one blow of the sickle. The peas
ants the doctor and her father rush In. attracted
by the screams and wild laughter; and the lat
ter. seeing tue body OF Cadet, hurts threats and
impreeatons at the hapless girl.
4" Silencei Master Blanchard" said the doctor.
The evil is worse than you think. told you
that the least emotion might Kill your daughter.
1t is all over; she Is dying %
Pauline calls on her mothers name and then,
with one last CLEAN OF reason, remembers that
she Is dead and says: "Ah, mother dear why
did You leave me? Thou, thou wonldst have
sustained me. Thou wouldst have defended me
against them all | l have been tortured by
them, undone, killed" And In voice which Is
growing weaker and weaker, she says 10 Blanch-
ard, who comes her to beg for pardon,
Pray, pray to my mother to pardon you'' Then,
stopping she says " Listen i"-and calling on
her Francois she falls Dead while the song OF
the reapers is heard rising and falling in the dis
lance, as they sing in happy cadence their
fruitful labors, forgetful the while of sin and
pain and death.