Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-03-20

apart. (Which could it bel" At last
the marquis spoke with more emotion
than he had ever shown in the whole
course of his self absorbed life.
death has cut short the painful reve-
lation which has startled us all so terri
bly,, and l ap sure you will both agree
with me in what am about to say. To
the dead we will pledge ourselves, and
no human being will suspect that in the
veins of one Of us flows blood perhaps
less proud than that of our mothers hus-
band. Before the world we will continue
our present relations, and in respect to
the dead we will pledge ourselves never
to seek to elucidate this mystery. But
we must part. Each must go his own
way, for with this fearful doubt in our
minds we could never live under the
same roof in harmony.
81, Jean, am the marquis; you, Rene,
the count, and Francois the vicomte de
Guebrianges. Thus the family name will
remain intact, and the world will never
guess our dishonor. What do you think
of my propositionf"
81 think that you are right" said Rene.
"You have expressed my own ideas ex-
actly, and am sure that Francois is of
my opinion. But there is something
must say in spite of the pain the very
thought gives me, and l hope that you
will not be hard upon me. l believe my
mother referred to me. Listen to my
reasons"
His brothers started at his bold words,
and like the loved gentleman he was the
Count de Guebrianges proceeded to do
what he considered to be his duty.
"You, JEAN" he continued, "are our
mothers frstborn. You came into the
world the year after her marriage, SO
you are out of the question altogether"
The marquis smiled. Of course he was
out of the question. "You, Francois,
were her pet-the one upon whom she
lavished all her love. You were born only
few months after the death of our sis
ter Bertha, who was the pride Of my
mothers life and whom she has mourned
literally in sackcloth and ashes for SO
many weary years. 1t would be an in
suit to my sisters memory to cast slur
ON you, while am different. God help
me! 1 first saw the light in a strange
land. The late Marquis de Guebrianges
was then ambassador to st. Petersburg.
My mother was very young, very beau
tiful, fascinating and sorely neglected.
Be lenient if she faltered in her duty.
She was our mother, and she is dead.
Her expiation has been long, and she
has carried part of her secret with her to
the world beyond the grave. l am con-
vinced that | am the stranger, and feel
that am giving her the supreme proof
of my love and respect in telling you
what l think to be the truth. Now, what
am to do?" The count turned from
them and hid his face in his hands, while
his whole frame shook with the emotion
he could no longer control. 1t was not
for himself, but the woman who lay dead
in the next room had been the idol of his
life, and he wept that she was no more.
The marquis voice, cold and contemptu-
Gus, reused him.
my brother and thank you for your
frankness. To the world you will al
ways remain the Count de Guebrianges,
but you must go"
when will you leave?"
AFTER the funeral" said Rene in sur
prise, and looking up he met the cold,
implacable gaze of his eldest brother.
By tacit consent they returned to the
chamber of death and reverently knelt
beside the couch where the marchioness
reposed. Suddenly they sprang to their
feet as she slowly raised herself, and
pointing to her eldest son gasped:
"It is-it is jean"
Then she fell heavily back. She had
only tainted before, but this time she
was dead indeed.
Rene said nothing, but his strong arms
encircled his brothers tottering form,
and in after years his true heart never
wavered in his affection for his brother,
nor in his respect and devotion for the
dear martyr whose last breath had been
his vindication.-Fro the French of
Henri Lavedan in New York Journal.