The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-03
PAUL C0NRAD'S LOVE
STORY.
By WALTER L HAwLEY.

ago, a group Of men sat around a table IN
the cafe Louret. in the French quarters of
New Orleans. slipping light wines and black
coffee. They were a merry party, and a
good story was told or a song sung between
every round of drinks. The jolliest Jester
of them all was Jules Fougers, a young
man about town, who sometimes
painted, when luck was against him at
the lottery, and who always had on hand a
score of love affairs with pretty creole
women. BE had Just finished describing the
dark hair and the dreamy black eyes Of his
newest lady love when Paul Conrad, an
artist, entered the cafe. Every man at the
table knew Conrad well, and they called 20
him to join them.
"a story, Paul, a storyl" cried one OF the
party as Conrad sat down.
Yes, a story, tell us story Paul, a love
story" the others added in a chorus.
And tell us a true story, Conrad" said
Jules Fougere
you herei Pardon, I did not see you be
fore. but believe me l am glad you are pres
emit \ es | will tell you story. 1t shall
be love story and It will be true!"
Conrad addressed Fougere and there was
a peculiar emphasis to his words, but it was
unnotlced except by the man for whom
they and the. hidden meaning were in
tended. The Bohemian painter turned
| tri1ie pale and emptied his wine glass at
gulp.
81 sold my last picture this morning
Conrad began as he slipped the black coffee
he he'd ordered, land on my way home
| planned surprise for my wife. Some Of
| you know my wife, my Juliet. You know
how beautiful she is; you have seen her
! dark dreamy eyes, bat ah, you cannot know
my love for her. Her voice is music to my
| soul, the light of her eyes guides my brush,
my love for her is the inspiration OF my
life.
I'm the jewelers. window saw q beauti-
ful necklace. The diamonds Cleaned
| brighter than stars, and l said to myself,
will buy 1t for Juliet. 1t will make the love
light shine In her eyes until the gems look
pale; yes, the diamond necklace shall be my
present to my wife. The price was mere
thaN half the price OF my picture, but
money was nothing 10 me when l thought
of Juliet's happiness.
With light steps and happy heart /
| hastenea home with the present. ! hurried
to Juliet's room aud opened tho door softly.
All, the story docs not interest you my dear
| Fougere. Too many love affairs OF your
own 10 think of another mans lovel But
story shall interest you moro than you
| thiukm
IL am deeply interested Paul, go onr'
Bougere grow a Grille paler, and others
besides Conrad this time. noticed that his
hand trernbled slightly az he raised his wine
glass TO his lips.
~ entered Juliet's room" Conrad went
on, "but she did not meet me with ope1
arms as was her custom. glanced about
the room. She was not there. Then plan
to surprise her with the pretty present came
to mind. | would conceal it In the drawer
Of her dressing case She would find 1t
when it was time to dress for diuner and
would be there to see the glad sparkle in
her eyes, to hear her ordinations OF
startled delight. Yes, l would surprise
her. then she would prize tho gift all the
more
81 hastened to the dressing case fearful she
would return Lefore | could hide the pack
age [ opened the drawer aud there / found,
not dailty hand lerchiefs of Juliet, but q
picture, photograph. Beneath tue picture
there, "a letter TO Juliet my wife. / picked
it up, carefully. as one would touch viper.
read il, words of love, words OF passion
all addressed 30 her. TO the woman loved
better than Lfo. ] saw the name, 1t WAS
that Of the man whose picture l had found
there with the letter.
"Ah, nay dear Fougere, / see you are
growing interested in my storyl
81 put the letter back. Then l thought
OF tho diamond necklace, the present l had
bought for Juliet, the wife loved. | threw
it on the floor, i stamped on it, the glitter
of the diamonds seemed TO mock me- they
were like serpents' eyes, and a serpent had
entered my house. | took up the picture
again. My brain was burning but l wanted
To look at that face oncs more, so l csu5
not forget it. Taen Juliet enterei
the room. At glance she saw
what had discovered, add falling on her
knees at my feet, she confessed all aad
begged me TO forgive. Ny love was dead
ouI there was no forgiveness in my heart.
l looked down at the broken necklace, the
cleaning diamonds were Watching me
they seemed to laugh at my misery, and
the pictured fecs OF Juliet's lover smiled
at me.
II drew my dagger. and as she knolt
there at my feet | plunged it into tn5
. heart Of Juliet. my wife, who was false &c
mel
You start aud grow pale, my dear Fou-
gerel Does my story interest you SO much
Stay. do not leave yet, the story is no
finished.
a ran from the house leaving her dead
there on the floor. Her blood stained thu
diamonds OF the broken necklace. The pict-
; ure and the dagger | brought with Cae.
have them now. See, here is the picture
, IT'S the handsome face OF Jules Fougere
Aud hero is the dagger! See the stats O
blood on the blade there. and there3 1t i
the blood Of Juliet. my wife! The blad
Pierced her heart as it now pierces yours
Jules FouRecsm
With lightning like movement ConraC
sprang forward and plunged the long blade
Of the dagger into the heart of his wife
lover, then turning to the mortified mel
around the table he said quietly, GENTLE
men, kindly call the police, wish TO give