Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-10-22
A CRUEL RUsE.

prescribed by Partisan mourning there was
3 terrible despair OF tile Spanish type. Ths
princess out her hair, shut herself up and
would SEQ no one ROBBED in her black
gown, her pretty head covered with q Grape
veil, she had the air OF young novice in n
convent Che passed her days before her
husbands portrait and dined alone in soli-
tery state in the grand salon, where each
night two plates were set at table The
cane and ha: Of the prince were ~ in the
Rnteohamber In their accustomed places as
II the master, gone forever, would return
presently. This remembrance 10 all her
surroundings added to the despair OF the
poor woman and made the blank created
by his absence more acutely felt.
IN the midst OF the whirlNind Of balls,
visits, receptions and concerts. where they
had been favorite guests in their happy
days, Mime. de Sora had kept but one friend,
the Countess Ancelin, drawing room
singer who, thanks 70 her beautiful voice,
retained her intimacy with the princess.
This great grief, so inconsolable, was irri-
tated by noisy conversation, but was
soothed by hearing singing near her. IL
aided her tears 10 flow and drowned her
sobs. Two years passed thus The widow.
hood was rs sad, as austere, as ever only
now the hair was allowed 10 grow soft and
fine. With the passing Of time the mourn.
ing became, IS were, lightened by u ray Of
sunshine and seemed now and then an Gle
giant caprice. 1t was at this time that the
nephew OF Nine, Anceliu met the princess
at his aunps house, fell In love with and
dreamed OF marrying her.
At the first word OF love, which he en-.
deavored to say TO her, abe became indig-
nant. For her the prince still lived, and
his offer Of affection seemed an insult TO
him-R sort Of infdelity. For some time
she would not sec her friend Nine Ancelin.
The young man left the city and tried 10
forget her, but he returned and exhibited
50 much love and despair Nine, Ancelln
took pity upon him and resolved to van
quish tho soruples Of the princess. But
hOw-how persuade that singular nature
which never reasoned and lived in the
midst Of the enthusiasm Of regret? The
thought struck her that so exclusive pas
sion would yield to jealousy, and therefore
She bent her energies to awaken the feeling
IN the breast Of the princess.
She determined to secure some old letters
OF the prince This was not very difficult
thing TO do, as in his bachelor days NJ. dc
Sora had written good deal, and his deli
cate handwriting was disseminated among
many dainty caskets. Nine. Ancelin pro-
cured one OF these leaves OF romance and
had the nerve to once moreseeh admittance
to the princess presence ut that home more
like living tomb than dwelling.
She found the princess weeping before
the portrait as usual and sadly showed her
one OF the letters. twas not u pain which
she gave her; IL was thundorboitl Poor
little princess! Her grief, her touching
widowhood, 80 full Of loving memories, all
gone, disappeared Mt once 1T one moment
In an abyss ot contempt and anger.
Nothing remained now but desire TO
avenge herself The portrait was cxiltd 10
the garrett The cane and hat also took
flight. Once more the grand house was
thrown open to the gay world, and the
balls, suppers and receptions ut the Hotel
de Sofa became the fetes OF Paris. The
princess, costumed in pearl gray in soft
lilac, then in rose and In blue, resumed
her place In the world OF fashion. Ono
evening as she wandered through the gilt
tering tbrong, accompanied by Mime. AM
celiu's nephew, who followed her Ike her
shadow, she said TO him, II will be your
wife whenever you wish" Shewould have
been willing to have married him on the
spot.
A short time afterward they were mar
ried, she with a sort of frenzied Joy, he
with mind troubled and ostonlshed ut
this violent, sudden passion, yet too happ'
to anElyzc the cause. The world spoke e.
Enthusiastically of the marriage. Nine. An
celin, accustomed to romantic expressions,
had even charming word to say. DO
You SEQ the princessl You thought she
wept, but she was only cooling 1t was
dovelike widowhood."
Six months passed. The newly welded
pair were in the country ut n chateau In
the neighburhood Of Paris. Nine. Ancelin
came to visit them. In seeing them SO
happy walking TRANQUILITY together in the
garden among the flowers the charming
countess, who was never able to see beyond
the present moment, said And it is |
who have created this happiness. Truly
/ do not regret my little ruse. An, my
dear, can afford to toll you now"
what rusei What falschoodW replied
the princess, with rapid movement,
"Ahl my dearest child, the poor prince
WINS not no black as he was painted. That
famous lcttcr was five years old, written
before you were married or had even met
you have done this" said tho princess,
and she looked at both her husband and
his aunt with wild eyes. The dead prince
had not betrayed her. II was she who was
fRlse-she who had forgotten. His very
name was discarded. He came to reproach
her In that moment and at once took his
former place IN htI IcRNlus hef nnhohnu
saw in gesture that she wished to separate
herself from him; it was all over between
them.
She shut herself up once more and re-
treated from the world and for eight days
endured an agony more terrible than he-
fore, ronorse being added to sorrow The
unhappy princess had remarked without
love, Nctusted alone by revenge, aud the
prince having committed no fault she felt
criminal toward him and shame toward
herself, The poor husband knew there was
no hope for him, Tho ancient passion had
returned with redoubled force She smoke
coldly to him. as II TO a stranger, assuring
him OF her pardon, persuaded that he was
not his Runt's accomplish. At the last mo
mont, as Mime. Ancelin wept before her
full OF regret, though not compreheuding
her fault, the prince . felt rs though but
terily had creased her severe, straight path
and said in q feeble voice; You see, do
not COO die, f" and it was true,--Alphonse
Daudet
No Further Use For II.
An impossible gull yawned between their