New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-21

A month passed. Mademosele Elise still re-
tanned her guide. Every afternoon they wan
dered together somewhere or other either through
the town, or by the sea. or In the woods. AT
loss for any logical explanation of the strange
friendship people assumed that the two were old
acquaintances. Mademoiselle never contradctcd
this assumption.
During the first few days. she commanded him
with playful authority. and talked great deai
of nonsense much as she would have talked with
any acquaintance for whom she felt but passing
interest But it impossible TO continue in this
strain with Raoul. He treated her as reasoning
being and not as creature III merely 70 De himore
and hattered. Despite herself she began To speak
from her heart and without any cOnstr2int. But
she adhered hOnorably TO her decision not TO in
spire him with a grande passion. and to this end
She conducted herself with a simple propricty
which recalled 10 her mind the convent discipline
Of the gentle Ursuline Sisters. who had taught her
her first lessons
Each dav her respect for Raoul increased. as
closer acquaintance revealed his character. Fl
nally her respect became reverence. His nature
stood out in such strong contrast with the even
casy-going selfish natures of the others with whom
She came in contact. lie unlike them. lie
thought about htc. they merely lived IT. He
seemed 10 her 10 be superior to the common pains
and pleasures of the world. She could not imagine
him being swaYrd by circumstances. by petty likes
and dslikes. She felt that it would be easy to
bear any trouble with such friend near. His
strong will attracted her His impenetrable re-
serve and the STRANGE. stern mood that came over
him at times mystihed and almost frightened her
marching with quick step into the town. She
thought that he tried inYoluntarily, 10 straghten
his shoulders as the st1lWaTt figures passed. She
seemed 10 know how the sight OF them must sRd-
den him. and her heart became filed with an in
cXpressible pity. But when he spoke. there was
not tho least tincp Of dissatisfaction i'm his voice
Il admire their happy nonchalancc." he said.
| UnconSciously they are very good philosophers.
They take life as II comes to them and gauge it al
Yes" She said, they are happy enough now.
/ But il must be terrible IN wartime. to have 10
march straight 10 DEATH
d" DO You think 50 - he replied 81 doubt
whether they perceive the terror of IT, II is part
Of their business 10 die
/ DO you not fear death ?" she asked him after
ward.
lie YVES silent for moment. Then he said
which death would he preferable 70 life"
" II 4. because life has been so unjust 10 him that
he disdlins H." she thought
Another evening as they sat together. looking
on 10 the square who're the women were selling
flowers. he began. casually, to talk Of himself Il.
smoke impasslvelv of the time. eight years before
when he had fallen Icy accident. in the winter
For months he had lain in agony: and then slowly
he had returned almost from the grave. IN three
wears he had regained his strength, but dcformed
for the rest Of his life.
Her lips quivered ominOuslv she listened
a." IL makes my heart ache 10 think of it," she
said. could not have borne it,
You would have got used 10 il as did he
replied.
There is no need. could have died If had
chosen
lie spoke simply and without the least emotion
She shuddcred.
DO not understand, she said.
"Of course you do not understand" he an
swercd gently; neither do the angels"