Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-09-28
ly-born misery. Scarcely had her noble
sutton departed, when Monsieur Favsrge


again appeared.
Corona started up as he entered the apart
ment, fully prepared to treat him as before,
and to dismiss him at once from her pres
cnce.
He darted forward impulsively with the
proudly drew herself up to her full height,
and repulscd him with dagk irown.
"Nhat does Monsieur Favarge require OF
me!'" she inquired, looking at him calmly
and haushtily. -
GO ona!' he exclaimed, gazing into her
eyes; what dos it all mean?" ~,
"Sit down, Monsieur Favarge. ans will
with the same apparent composure as be-
fore.
He dropped into chair; and she still
standing. went on.
II, means, Monsieur Favarge, that we are
hencetnrth to be strangers to one another"
she said slowly and distinctly.
''Corona!'
Hear me out, then speak if you
will!' proceeded she, haughtily. II
am not q worm. to be trodden on and
crushed by your or any other FOOT
she added, between her closed teeth. II
have been wronged, and have avenged that
wrong!"
n do not understand you. Corona!" he
returned. "If l have offended you have
done so unwillinSly, l assure you. What
is my otfensc?"
She laughed bitterly.
Again l ask, what is my offense?'
II have changed my mind!" she answer
ed, abruptly. II Will condescend to tell
you no more, Monsieur Favarge" she con-
tinued, her whole frame quivering as she
spoke. Il will leaveyour guilty conscience
to inform you why Corona de Marney de-
clines the lurther honor of receiving you
under her roof"
'Spcak--speak, for heavens sake" he
cried, excitedly starting to his feet. "Let
that may be able to defend myself"
She looked at him contcmptuously. and
silently rang the bell. Her jealousy and
pride had apparently quenchcd all her
love for him. She could not forget the
scencshe had lately witnessed between him
and Mademoiselle Ladre, and her spirit
rose in rebellion against the insult he had
put upon herself as his own affianced bride.
Paul was standing mute and motionless,
when servant appeared, i'll answer to the
bell.
"Show Monsieur Favarge out!' she
said, addressing the lacquey. Good
morning. she added, turning to her as
tonished visitor.
And before Paul could find breath to re-
ply, Corona had flung open side door.
and was gone.
Nothing now was left him but to follow
the domestic, and to quit the house; and
he did so at once.
Corona fled to her chamber, in the
privacy OF which she gave tull vent to all
her feelings.
She fell upon her knees by the side of
her couch, and buried her face in her
hands, moaning as if in great bodily pain.
She coulc not weep; hers was not grief
that could resolve itself into flood Of
tears.
Oh how she sobbed, and shook, and
wrung her fingers! She had been tearing
her bosom, s,abbing it at all points, and
now its snarting was almost more than
she could bear. Presently, she remembered
her p edge to the Count, and that she was
shortly to become his wife. His wife! Mer-
citul heaven, she could not act so sintulIy
towards him, as TO give him her
hand accompanied by no SINCE atom of
her heart. Corona had thoroughly search
Favargc could not be removed entirely
thence. Yes, pitc his discovered per
tidy, he still retained 81 place in her aifec.
tons.
Corona did not know what to do in order
TO escape her projected and dreaded mar
riage with the Count. Hour after hour
she pondcred over the matter, yetno means
Of G. cape presented itself to her Corona
was not thinking altogether Of herself in
this weghty affair, Tor hers was not a sell
fish nature. She was rejecting on anoth-
er-studying how she could preserve
him from disappointment and misery. For
would not disappointment and misery he
his were he to link his fate with hers! Oh, ,
yes-oh, yes!
AS have said before. Corona had no
friend to whom she could confde: she was
left to act entirely as her own wild i'm
pulses directed. But she was generous and
just, and therefore could not commit any
wicked wrong.
Corona was wishing that she could fly to
the other end OF the world and carry with
her all her load Of weary trouble. Away
from Paris-irom the scenes so closely as
ISOLATED with her love for Paul Fayarge-
she might yet learn to forget his falsehood
forget, perchance, that he had ever exist
cd.
She rose from her knees. and measured
the floor with hasty and uncertain steps,
Yes she cried, within herself --"yes 1
will fly OF once-l will save the Count from
wretchcdness and myself from the commits
sion ofsin!'
Having formed this romantic, generous,
but rash determination, she became calm
er, once more like her former sell, and anx-
ionS and eager to be gonc-to put miles and
miles twiXt herself and Paris. She went to
possessed and how long it might probably
last her Then she wrote several letters,
amongst which there was one to the man
aScr OF the theatre 1T Which she was cngag-
ed. and another to the Count de Branden-
burg but not a line did sh" indite to Paul
wuman's pride would not sul-
Ter her to do SO.
TO BE CONTINUED)