St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-05
THE ART OF DYING.
Translated from Emile zola. !

Translated from Emile Iola.
The Count de Verteuil is 80. He be
longs to one Of the most illuStriouS fam
lies of France and possesses a large
fortune. Eyeing the government ask
ance he has occupied himself in such
ways as he has been able. He has con
tributed to the more serious reviews ar
tices which have secured him mem
bership in the institute, has engaged in
numerous business enterprises and.
taken a lively interest successfully III
agriculture. breeding and the fine arts.
For short time he has even occupied 4
seat in the chamber, where he has MADE
himself remarked by the violence OF his
opposition.
lie Countess Mathilde de Verteull is
forty-siX. She is still pointed out as the
most beautiful blonde in Paris, for the
years have served only to emphasize
the dazzling WhiteneSS Of her com
pleXiOn. At one time she was inclined
TO be thin; now her figure in ripening
has taken Oh the delicate fullnAss OF
fine fruit Never has She looked more
charming. When she enters a ball
room, with her rich golden hair and the
creamy Whiteness of her skin, she
seems like new star in the armament,
ana IIeSl young SIIiS VI |hOh'J wv
jealous OF her.
The household of the count and
countess is one OF those establishments
OF which one never speaks. They mar
ried as people usually marry III their
world. 1t is even an assured fact that
for six years they lived together quite
tremendously. st this period they had
a son, Roger. who uas become lIeUten-
ant, and a daughter, Blanche, whom they
married, last year TO the referendarY, NJ.
de BuSSac lii their children they still
find some ground Of union. In the years
which have elapsed since their mutual
coldness became fixed. they have re-
manned good friends, with Il strong
background OF egutlsm. They take
each others advice Oh some matters,
are simply perfect i'll their bearing ~
wards each other before the outer
world, but at home they shut them
selves up in their private apartments,
where they receive their intimate
friends according to their humor.
Nevertheless, one night, when the
countess returns somewhat late from a
bali. her maid having diSrobed her,
pauseS moment before retiring and
says:
"Monsieur lie Comte has felt little
UnWell this evening"
The countess, half asleep, turns her
head drOwsily.
"Ahw she murmurS.
y hen she stretches herself out and
adds:
wake me tomorrow at 10. l am ex-
pecting the dressmaker."
The next day at lunch, as the count
does not appear. the countess first sends
to inquire about him. At length she
concludes to 90 up to his chamber. She
finds him in bed, very pale, very cor
rect. Three doctors have already been
there, have consulted together in low
tones and left orders; they are to come
again in the evening. The sick man is
cared for by two servants, who move
about silent and grave, mufflng the
sound of their feet Oh the carpet. The
vast chamber is rigidly cold and severe;
lot sheet Of the bed dragS loosely; not
a single article of furniture is displaced.
1t is sick room exact and dignified,
the ceremonious sick room Which is
prepared for visitors.
You are i'll, then. my dear?" asked
the countess as she entered.
The count tiled to smile.
"Oh, little run down" he replies.
al only need TO rest. You are very good
to put Yourself out"
Two days pass. The chamber retains
its dignity; every object is in its proper
pla &c the medicines disappear without
sIcining anything. The smOoth-shayen
faces OF the servants do not manifest
even a trace of WEAKNESS. The count,
however, knows that his life is in dan
ger; he has compelled the doctors to be
frank with him, and he suffers them to
act as they see fit, without a murmur.
For tile most part he lies with his eyes
posed, or else looks fiXedly before him
as if lie were meditating on his solitude.
In public the countess remarks that
her husband is ill. In her private life
she has made no change, put eats and
sleeps and drives at her customary
hours. Each morning and evening she
comes herself TO ask the count how he
is getting along.
'Ah, we'll! are you better, my love?"
Eyes. yes, much better, thanks, my
dear Mathide."
''lf you wish, could stay with YOU"
mo, it is needless. Julien and Fran
co.'s are sufficient. What is the use of
fatigulng yourself?"
Well do they understand each other
they have lived apart and wish to die
apart. The count enjoys that bitter
pleasure OF the egotiSt DESTROYS of max
ing his final exit alone and uudsturbed
by the m0ckery of feigned manifesto
lions of grief about his death bed. He
EhOrtens, So far as lie may, for himself