St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1893-04-29
OPELOUsAS, Ia. SATURDAY, APRIL sUBsCRI

she raised herself yet higher, and giving
her white bare arm that repulsive
swing she exclaimed, "Awayl away
Thou art some fend come here to tauni
me for my ingratitude! Away! away!"
Then, as if overcome, she slowly sanh
back on her pillow. But that voicel II
an instant all the labor of years was
lost-that great fabric of insensibility
had built about me was thrown to ths
ground. | was no longer cold, naughty
| business man, but youth--a lover
The impulses of the heart, long bound
down. suddenly burst their bonds and
sprang into a new life. For years min6
had been the pilot of my craft-it had
been wise and faithful pilot-but il
never smiled, never told me of hope, o1
love, OF heaFen-only gold, gold, gold
But its rule was at an end. | sprana
forward to the bedside and involuntari
| ~ murmured, 'sThe Countess de Van
| yineauxl"
That name? Who spoke that manner
She started up and glared almost fercel5
at me. | could not move nor speak
only stand and gaze in turn. And nov
terrible storm suddenly burst forth
as If to heighten the awful solemnity ol
the scene within. | cannot attempt te
| describe it. The thunder seemed te
shake the house from its foundations
the wind and rain, as if in fendisI
mockery. beat against the single win.
| dow, and anon a flash of vivid lightning
lit up the dingy apartment. Still nei
ther OF Its occupants moved. At length
| the wild, unearthly glare of her eye
seemed to die away. drew nearer II
saw a tear.
sLinar
ssPauI!n
She was in my arms
1t is ten minutes since wrote the last
line. | could not hold my pen-pardon
my weakness-it is many, many years
ago, but as / recall that scene ! cannot
| keep back my struggling tears. But
| wept then, and she-oh, heaven, spare
me from ever hearing such sobs again
/ cannot lengthen this scene; cannot
| write how many times she besought my
forgiveness; how tearfully she told me
| that she became the Countess de Van.
vineaux not from her own free will, and
| much less can | write how joyfully
forgot ali, yet how full of sadness and
amazenent at finding her in this wretch
ed garret. But she babe me to ask nc
| questions, only pointing with thin
wan hand to a blotted, tear stained
| paper on a little wooden table near the
bed. From this Iafterward learned the
sad cause.
Alas! poor girl, she found herself the
wife of libertine; she had learned toe
| well that the Frenchman loves his mis-
tress, not his wife. Sickened with hel
life she left his roof scarce year be
fore that terrible night Too proud te
return to her father. she had sought te
support life with her own frail hands
and that attempt had brought her te
this. This paper she had requested hel
| woman to mail for America, addressed
| to William Spencer, ESQ.," etc.
But knew none of this when stood
| beside her there. and my feelings were
a strange mixture-pity, remorse. joy
love, wonderInent
saw her strength was fast failing
her eyes were growing dim, her lips
turned to ashen, and | rested her head
softly on my breast. Suddenly she
started up and pointed to a distant cor
rfer OF the room. ! looked. Twas a
chiid-a babe in the old gypsy's arms.
'.'Tis his, Paul-mine, PAUL. VIII you
be father to it? Bring it here-poor
child; sweet childi" It was laid upon
her bosom. She smiled, closed her eyes,
and thus she died. Lima was dead!
would be father to her child.
She no longer stands by the window
gazing out upon the storm. She has
drawn close the curtain and now sits by
the cheerful CRATE yonder and ever and
anon casts wondering glance at me.
She wonders what should be SO long
writing.
And that is Lina's child. She little
knows that | have been recording her
mothers sad fate; she little knows Of
her fathers ignominious death-only
that call her daughter and this is her
home. And now she has stolen up to
me, and placing her fair white arms
about my neck, whispers to me SO sweet
Iyearnest, Haven't You written enough.
father?'' How can resist as she leans
over and kisses this old, wrinkled fore
head? Down goes my pen.
THE END.