San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-11
A1 Absorbing Sto!q
Of
American Life and Love,


mission was thereby exposed had the
effect of worsening his disorder. His
mind was IN no less pain than his body;
he had set his whole soul upon fulfilling
the emperor's command, and he could
look upon his illness in no other light
than as crime on his own part. He
had undertaken duty-as important a
one as 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-
| ure 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 lank, red haired adventurer dis
played all the tact and cleverness of
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 infnitesimal, and he per-
ceived that he had something on his
mind. Dupont had previously made up
his mind that he would find out what
Solange's mystery was, aud he awaited
developments.
One evening, after a long silence, So
lange spoke:
slow far are we from Panama, Fran
coisr' To-.
"Still two days at least. if the wind is
fair, mon brave" .... 49,.
'.Sacre!-I shall never last it QUIT"
Never lose heart! You will be all
right in day or two"
II shall be at the bottom of the ocean.
All, know it! l have tried my best,
but it is no use. The emperor will curse
me for sceundrelr' a...".1. ''.- ..
"The emperor" repeated Dupont, look
ing up. 81. ID Oh. e.
ibid / say the emperor! Bah! my
mind wanders." --... .... .--..-.
Listen to me, Maurice" said Dupont,
bending over. "Your mind is not wan
dsring, but there Is weight upon it.
have seen it all along, it has retarded
your recovery. Comet I am your friend,
am not7 If were as you are would
confide in you. don't know what wor-
ries you; but, if did, might be able to
help you And If can you don't doubt
that will-eh? Come, free your soul,
my lad, and your body will be all the
better for it." -.-..-- .-. .-..-
IF were sure that must die"-mut-
tered Solange, hesitating.
"You are sick man; but have told
you the only chance for recovery" said
Dupont, Struggling his shoulders. Zone
believes in Providence, l suppose? Well,
i it not Providence that has sent your
best friend to your side at such mo-
mentS'
The dying man fixed his eyes upon the
speaker. Francois" he said, eff tell
you this secret will you swear to be
faithful to the trust? Will you carry it
out as if you were myself This is no.
child's play. be sure of that! You are
good fellow-you are my friend; but If
you were my brother or my father it
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 anything
you prefer to keep to yourself, and it is
only in your own interest that 1 speak.
But as to trusting me-what shall say?
I have lived as CAM don't deny it;
I,.k II II
would as soon think Of betraying you as
of scuttling this ship and swimming
ashore. Voila!"v~ .r -rrf .HWu.rH ii
"If you keep your word, Francois, you
will be fortunate the rest of your life,"
said Solange; "but," he added, half
raising himself on one elbow, eff you
do betray me, may you die as am dy-
ing, and with no one to love you; and
until you die my ghost shall haunt you
day and night and make your life hor-
ror!"
"Bahi bahl there is no need of this"
said Dupont, with laugh. 81 have
said that you may trust me, and can
say no more. Now, do as best pleases
you" .t
"Bend over here" faltered the other
huskily, "and let me whisper in your
ear"
Solange died just after midnight Du-
pont, after securing all the papers that
he could find in the stateroom, prepared
the body for burial, and with the assist
ance of the captain heaved it overheard.
May your sleep be peaceful, old COM
rade," he muttered, as he leaned over
the bulwarks and marked the phopho-
resent glimmer as the corpse sank into