Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-23


sense of pleasure or relief whenever he
came in sight of the monotonous flute
player. The struggle in his mind was OBJ
scure, as the sense of pain when the con-
sciousness Is confused but not subdued by
chlorpform. He struggled, bus he scarcely
knew against what A sense of loss, of re-
gret, emptiness; future forlorn and green
and still. like the existence of the poor
flute player. What did it mean? Where
were the buoyant feelings of joy and be-
lief, Of interest and delicious excitement
that had plunged him into q new world
The pulse OF life had suddenly tagged and
fallen far below its normal rate.
Why? Had this woman mesmerized him
into all this tumult of feeling? Was it an
unreal, unwholesome excitement for which
he had to pay as for any other sort of
orgie?
Or was twas 1t jealousy?
His brain TWAIN and his self-respect
sickened at the suspicion. Had he not
been desiring above all things to see his
friend and benefactor a happy and heart
filed man? Had he not been willing
to give years of his life for that friends
sake
Now occurr ed chance of the wish being
fulfilled, an opportunity for Wilfred to aid
in its accomplishment, and he did not, could
not re- joice 1t seemed as if Fate had heard
his desires, and, with ironic intent, had
forthwith placed him in this strange pre-
dicament that he might feel his weakness
and Inconsistency of motive. Fate, however,
should not have the laugh altogether on her
side.
Wilfred raised his head resolutely. He
was shaken, but not conquered. Gratitude,
sympathy, affection, friendship were not
so easily overturned, though rebel emotions
might sweep the soul bare for q miserable
half hour.
He retraced his steps toward the terrace,
leaving the fute-player still piping silently
to the listening strawberries
The two figures were sitting in the same
spot as before, almost in the same attitudes.
The woman's face was turned toward the
darkness.
She was not recognized. If Wilfred so
willed it the recognition might not take
place, and since Joseph must at all hazards
return to town tomorrow this singular
meeting might remain without result.
Why interfere with the natural course of
things?
The good angels of the man and the
woman seemed to plead with him: "Give
them this happiness; it is yours to bestow
or withhold. The years since their parting
have brought rich gifts to them. Sorrow
and loneliness, knowledge of life, vain tolls
and ambition have taught them how to prize
what lies now within their grasp. With
hold it not
''But how do I know that they would
take it?" Wilfred argued feverishly. "She
avoids recognition; she will not love him
now more than she loved him then"
''Give them the chance" urged the other ]
voices.
"She might, perhaps love me-"
Wilfred shook off the thought. He
nod fha ftuO flor hn tor md
ing them in much the same positions as be-
fore, Madame de Verneville always with
her face turned away. She spoke very
little. and not In her usual voice. Draw
ing his friend aside, Wilfred went straight
to the point 'aThere," he said, sis the
heroine OF your story of this morning."
Joseph Parkes asked sharply what he
meant But Wilfred would say no more.
The elder man laid his hand on the parapet;
his self-respect demanded that he should
keep calm. He scarcely doubted that Will
the head; the only wonder was that he had
not recognized her instantly. But the
revelation was so sudden, SO bewildering,
that he scarcely knew what emotions moved
him.
His first idea was to escape from the SPELL
like power that in the old days used to hold
him captive. He felt that this power had
increased in strength. The charm was of a
kind to shun, unless he was willing to let
the woman fool him a second time. But
q new impulse moved him to go up to
Madame de Verneville. He introduced |
himself quietly, and she looked at him |
with an expression of fear and excitement |
in her dyes.
''Go on-say it, say it, she cried, hur-
riedly. 81 have no defense to make"
"And have no reproaches," said Joseph |
with dignity.
The light died out of her face at his
tone.
''Don't CO." she said to wilfred.
II am sorry we have met" said Joseph |
Parkes; "such meetings must always be
painful"
81 regret that my unlucky presence
should give you pain. I did not ordain the
Meeting"
She rose and stood looking at her former
over with face full of griet.
Wilfred wondered that his friend did not
seek to detain her as she prepared to retrace
ner steps down the steep pathway to the
house.
"Goodby," she said. She seemed re-
uctant to move but as Joseph answered
'Goodby Madame de Verneville," she
,aught her breath and went down the path
It rapid pace.
care you going to let her go?" cried
Wiltred, good heavens, you are out of
rour mind"
"Don't make it harder for me to keep my
lead," Joseph pleaded; ''that woman has
thrown me over once in her life
lis she to have that amusement the second
ime2''