The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-25
MONA.

The Count de VilIemere awoke from his
letharRy and recognized bis PHYSICIAN VINO
was looking at him sadly.
"Sayed again." said the patient smiling
up at him.
opened his eyes wide he said:
"You are a brave man and it is my duty
TO tell you the truth"
"Weu?"
"You have all the symptoms Of nona."
"What is that?"
"a fatal malady. You have recovered
from IethaggY, and will be conscious for
three hours; but at the end of that time
death will come suddenly"
"BOther!"
"Be brave, Count Raymond; arrange your
sffalrs-you have just time. Now l will
leave you. Good-by."
Ten minutes later the Count clad In
flannel dressing gown, was calmly making
his toilet. When he had finished he lighted
cigar, and casting a heaTt-brOken glance at
the box. the contents of which he should
not live to enjoy. he threw himself upon
couch and reflected. He was too brave to
fear death, and yet he found his situation
an unpleasant one.
Tie dav before Count Raymond de Vile
mere had been seized with violent illness,
and believing that his last hour had come,
had sent for a notary and a priest anu
burned his letters. He had then fallen into
deep sleep, from which he was not eX-
pected to awaken. Now he felt like con-
demned man, who, after having hopes Of
pardon, suddenly finds himself on the seal
fold.
Outside his window was heard the cease
less rattle Of vehicles on the Champs
Elysees, and every one seemed full Of Joy
and health in the bright June sunlight lie
himself felt vigorous and energetic, and he
could hardly believe that IN lew days
there would be a sad procession, hearse
leading the way, then prayers and dr0nlng
hymns at his grave. In a short time his
joys and sOTr0Ws, his LIE, would be Tor
gotten.
Stretched comfortably upon the sofa he
finished his cigar, and In Imagination lived
his life again. Forgotten events Of MS
childhood were recalled; then his love al
fairs, and more distinctly than all, the hrst
few months after his marriage. he Temem-
beTed every detail Of those noneyed moons.
How happy he and Olette had been! he
had loved her with a fierce Jealousy that
made them both laugh.
And il had ended IN a quarrel caused by
his mistake and an act Of rash folly on the
part Of The beautiful young Countess. 20
they separated by mutual consent, but they
continued TO love each other in secret,
though they affected Indifference and
passed each other with cold bows on
she Boulevard and at balls, dinners and at
the play.
The thought Of dying without seeing the
beloved one was more than Raymond could
bear, aud the studied GOODNESS so long per-
sisted IN seemed unnecessary now that he was
so near his end. What harm would a step
toward reconciliation do him, even If lie
made no movement in resDonseP
He seated himself at his desk, wrote
hria md nj vol LOT tn no 20
graph Office with It. Then be looked at his
watch; be had two hours more 10 live.
''She will have just time to come" he said
nerv0usy.
He fdgeted here and there, wondered
would she come, would that fond farewell
touch her heart, OF would the pride of an
offended woman be memorable 70 the last?
The agony Of suspense was now added
70 the anxiety with which Raymond lie
Vllemere, in spite OF his high-bTed self
possession, counted the minutes as they
passed. He wrote q long letter TO his
mother that brought tears TO his eyes. It
was hardly finished when ring at the bell
made him start, and q second later a servant
announced:
mime. the Countess de Vllemere"
He stood up and, turning pale, ex-
claimed
"Olette"
The young woman. however, stopped in
tie doorway, and with fTOWnlng glance
said IN a cool tone:
''This is a senseless joke"
"a jokeg' he exclaimed. What Go you
meant"
You sent me a dispatch saying that you
we're dying, and l find you sitting up
writing. GOod-day. sir"
She turned round and was leaving him,
when he said;
treat you. See read this letter-only look
st il ouceW
He banded her the letter he had just writ
ten to his mother, aud when she had
glanced al the first page she said:
Then 1T IS true. On, my poor darlingP'
TIE next minute she had thrown herself
upon his neck and burst into sObs. Long
they stood there, clasped in a close en-
brace which seemed to contain their regrets
for their few months OF happiness and
their TemoTse for their wasted years. At
last they sat down, hand ln hand, struck
dumb overwhelmed with sorrow. But the
Count TecOllected what was due TO the dig
nifty Of his noble ancestors, one Of whom,
his grandfather, had Whlstled an air from
the Indies Galantes" as he mounted the
seaffOld in '93.
"Bahw said Raymond, with a smile. 81
have nothing to complain Of. l ought to
feel thankful for being allowed to die of
malady which will be the fashion to-moT-
Tow"
But Odette stopped him with glance of
Teproach. Women are not fond of such
irony.
Then they talked Of the past in low tones,
as If they were already in a funeral cham
Der, and in spite of themselves they smiled
at the thought of the days gone by. When
they glanced round The room many tTifing
object served to recall some event which
occurred before their marriage. A hunting
scene hanging on the wall made them hear
once more the merry "Halalis! WhOOp!"
piercing the November mist, and they spoke
OF their long rides side by side over the
dried leaves Of the forest Some tiny dust
pans on the mantel carried them back 10 a
eotillOn danced together and to their flirta-
ton under the exotic plants in the green
house. Then they wandered IN fancy along
the green, cool pathways of the Bots de
Boul0gne, lunche1 in the Chinese pavilion,