The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-12
Thu LOST FINGER.

The room bazed with light; the air was
heavy with perfume; the orchestra, behind
its screen of flowers, softly droned the minor
strains of stately minuet.
me. Jean, my friend returned the mar
quise sadly, discretion is not, as you say,
silence only. True discretion is renuncia,
ton of self, selfsacrifice in every emergency,
no matter how terrible, that carries it even,
always unsupported, to the point of hero
ism, which is why | assert that really dis
Greet men do not live in this fin de steele
Listen. I've story to tell you. Profit by
it if you can.
you have heard people talk of him,
Colonel Robert de Gedres; of his tall form
his handsome face his indomitable bravery
and answering loyalty"-
''And between whom and yourself, if /
mistake not, marquise," Jean interrupted,
there was talk of marriage till that up,
fortunate duel between his brother and
your cousin Rocheverte created an impassa-
BILE barrier between the sllnilies?'
Nine. de Logerolles hesstated minute,
then shrugged her shoulder; lightly.
esYou know that them" said She "Eh
bien, it does not matter. The story, con-
tinue it. II was summer, near Rouen,
where Robert de Gedres, then command
ant of one of the regiments of the Garde,
was in garrison, and when the better por-
ton of the city's inhabitants, flying from
the heat of the town, sought relief and
freshness in the many superb villas and
mansions Astounding in the environs
ssOra Of he ho, %<,f+
ties belonged to household that l shall
designate, for convenience of recital, NJ. and
Mme de Lucenay. They were not Rou-
enais people, but Parisians, only M. de
Lucenay was rabid sportsman, and the
vicinity of Rouen, at that time gorged with
game of every description, had seemed to
him the place of all others to install him
self each year from July to November
IF it pleased M. de Lucenay to run the
woods with his keepers and dogs and watch
over his bears, rabbits and goats, it did not
give the same pleasure to the lady who bore
his name. She cared but little for ragouts
and solitude, an ennui shared by the better
part Of her neighbors, who, forced to de-
pend upon each other for company, ended
by becoming almost as one community.
All day long, united in one or another OF
the many houses, they killed time to-
gether and spent their evenings in precisely
the same way in all the traditional amuse.
ments of the country.
Toward dinner time the husbands ar
rived from Rouen, bringing with them al
ways number Of guests, whose strongest
contingent was drawn from the circle of
Rouen officers, among whom the most bril-
liant and popular was incontestably Robert
de Gedres
Zone evening, after little impromptu
ball. where he, the colonel, had danced a
great deal with Nine. de Lucenay, and she,
after bidding her guests adieu, had re-
turned to her chamber to prepare for bed,
she was astonished and startled both when
the door brusquely opened, and her husband
hurriedly entered, clad in shooting garb and
CATERS and with shotgun swung over his
shoulder.
Two wolves, my DEAR said he, two
wolves just reported that all summer long
have been eating up my lambs and goats,
and for which l and Renard here have to-
night laid and baited trap. Sleep well.
Don't worry or look for me before morning.
Pm late as it is, you know
"And with hasty kiss upon his wife's
brow and a call to the garde, arrayed like
his master and hat in hand, awaiting his
pleasure, the door banged to again, and M.
de Lucenay, all haste and excitement, was
off on his wolf hunt.
'aThe heat was sitting. Nine. de Luce.
nay threw off her ball dress, slipped into a
loose white gown and passed to the balcony
to look at the night and breathe the air
awhile before going to bed. No breath of
breeze, however, stirred the leaves, motion
less and sad, and no sound rose from the
plain and wood below but the dull, droning
hum of nocturnal insects
"Still heated and excited from the exer
ton of the evening and disinclined to sleep,
it occurred to Mime. de Lucenay presently
that walk in the garden in the midst of
the flowers and in the clear light of the
moon would perhaps refresh and soothehe
overstrained nerves.
ITO reach the garden you traverset. a
broad conservatory opening directly into
the salle-a-manger, itself separated from
the salon by a wide arch draped with a
heavy portiere and SO arranged that when
space demanded it, as on this evening, the
three cham bers could be thrown into one
'Peste What precision of detail! You
know the house. then. marquise?" jean
again interim pied with slightly significant
smile
Certainly" calmly returned Nine de
Logerolles 81 have been there often and
recall it perfectly. But interrupt me no
more, please. mon ami. You embroil my
memories"
And Shc narquise resumed her story:
Nine. &c I4ucenny," said she, 'opened
the heavy iron bound door of the green,
house and passed into the shadow of IL
hload alley of chestnut trees that led arorad
tie house and skirted the terrace in front
Of it,
she lad scarcely taken dozen steps,
however, whe:, she stopped, trembling con
vulsivcly. 4 low. supplicating voice had
called her lame. She turned Robert de
Ge6res stood before her.
Your cried she, stupeled, and at such
an hour! What brings you here, thens'
ITO see you responded be passionately.
Nay, do not Cry OFT, Gernaine God is my
witness that two hours ago did not dream
of doing what l am doing now. On leaving
you | walked Oh at random through the
country Suddenly, from a cross path,
saw your husband passing in hunting garb
and with his gardes and dogs, and mad
idea seized me turned came haol. and