Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-10-21
A CRUEL RUSE.


Behind the door hung with the heavy black
prescribed by Partisan mourning there was
Aterrible despair OF the spanish type The
princess cut her hair shut herself up and
would SEE no one. Rolled in her black
gown, her pretty head covered with Grape
vel, she had the air Of young novice in a
convent she passed her days before her
husbands portrait and diued alone in soli-
tary state IN the grand salon, where each
night two plates were set at table. The
cane and hat Of the prince were put In the
Antechamber In their accustomed places as
II the master, gone forever, would return
presently. This remembrance in 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 whirlwird Of balls,
visits, receptions and concerts, where they
had been fayorite guests IN their happy
days, Nine 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 II
aided her tears TO 8ow and drowned her
sobs. Two years passed thus. The widow.
hood was as sad, as austere, as ever, only
now the hair was allowed TO grow soft and
fine. With the passing Of time the mourn.
ing became, as it were, lightened by ray OF
sunshine and seemed now and then All ele-
CANT caprice. II was at this time that the
nephew OF Nine Ancelin met the princess
at his aunt's house, fell in love with and
dreamed Of marrying her.
At the first word OF love, which he en-.
1Aa t..a q -. uA. ii
nant. For her the prince still lived, and
his offer OF affection seemed an insult to
him-a sort OF infdeity. For some time
she would not see her friend Nine. Ancelin
The young man left the city and tried To
forget her, but he returned aud exhibited
so much love and desIal Nine. Ancelin
took pity upon him and resolved to van
quish the scruples Of the princess. But
how-how persuade that singular nature
which never reasoned and lived in the
midst Of the enthusiasm of regreti Tie
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. de
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 more seek admittancn
to the princess presence at that home mors
Ike living tomb than dwelling
She found the princess weeping before
the portrait as usual and sadly showed her
one of the letters. Ii was not n pain which
she gave her; IL was a thunderbolti Poor
little princess Her grief, her touching
widowhood, so full Of loving memories, all
gone, disappeared at once, ut one moment,
In an abyss of contempt and anger
Nothing remained now but desire TO
avenge herse The portrait was exiled TO
the garret. sle cane and hat also took
flight. Once more the grand house was
thrown open To the gay world, and the
balls, suppers and receptions at the Hotel
de Sora became the fetes of Paris. The
princess, costumed in Iear. gray, in soft
lilac, then In rose and In blue, resumed
her place ia tue world Of fashion. One
evening as she wandered through the gilt
tering throng, accompanied 10y lime. An
celip's nephew, who followed her like her
shadow, she said to him, IL will be your
wife whenever you wish" She would have
been willing 10 have married him on the
spot.
A short time afterward they were mar
ried, she with sort Of frenzied Joy, he
with a mind troubled and astonished at
this violent, sudden passion, yet too happy
to analyze the cause. The world spoke en-
Enthusiastically Of the marriage Nine. An
celn, accustomed to romantic expressions,
had even charming word TO say. do
you see the princessf You thought she
wept but she was only cooing IL was
dovelike widowhood"
Six months passed. The newly welded
pair were in the country at chateau In
the neighborhood 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 II Is j
who have created this happiness. Truly
do not regret my little ruse. All, my
dear, can afford 10 tell you now"
"What ruse' What falsehood" replied
the princess, with rapid movement.
"Ahl my dearest chilu, the poor prince
was not 80 black as he was painted. That
famous letter was five yea old, written
before you were married or had even met"
"You have done this" said the princess,
sue lOOhtu DOtu hcf huSuduu unu
his aunt with wild eyes. The dead prince
had not betrayed her. 1t was she who v'Ss
false-she who had forgotten. His very
name was discarded. He came to reprosch
her In that moment and at once took his
former place in her regard. Her husband
saw In gesture that she wished to separate
herself from him; 1t was all over between
them.
She shut herself up once more and 10
treated from the world and for eight days
endured an agony more terrible than be
fore, remorse being added 20 sorrow. The
unhappy princess had remarked without
love, actuated alone by revenge, and 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. The ancient passion had
returned with redoubled force. She spoke
coldly to him, as II to a stranger, assuring
him of her pardon, persuaded that ne was
not his aunt's accomplice At the last mo
ment, as Nine. Ancelin wept before her
full Of regret, though not comprehendinR
her fault, the princess felt as though but
terfy had crossed her severe, straight path
and said in feeble voice: You see, dc
not COO die" and 1t was trus.--Alphonss
Daudet.