The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-03-11
felt a lump rise in his throat and the

my sons" gasped the II
know that l am dying, and before l go to
my last account l have a confession to
make. Don't weep, Rene: keep your tears
for a better woman. God knows what
you will think Of me when you know
all. have been an unfaithful wife, and
one Of you has no right to the name he
bears. 1t is-it is Here the voice
died away. and she sank back among her
pillows.
1t was over, and 0ne more soul had
gone into the presence Of its Maker. The
brothers retired softly, and once in the
adjoining room looked at each other
apart. (Which could it be- At last
the marquis spoke with more emotion
than he had ever shown il 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 | am sure you will both agree
with me in what | am about to say. To
the dead we will pledge ourselves, and
no human being viii suspect that in the
veins Of one Of Us flows blood perhaps
No OhN t4idii t4itl Va Jul AiIOlllCl . uIS
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 60 his OWE
way, for with this fearful doubt in u
minds we could never live under the
same roof in harmony.
Il, Jean. am the marquis; you, Rene,
the count. and Francois the vicomte le
Guebrianges. Thus the family name will
remain intact. and the world Will never
guess III GisAonor. What DO you think
Of my p~rorositlOn::'
Il think that you are right" said Rene.
You have expressed my own ideas e.
actly, and | am sure that Francois is Of
my opinion. Gut there is something I
must say in spite of the pain the very
thought gives NE, and | hope that you
will not be hard upon Inc. | believe my
mother referred to me. Listen to my
reasons"
His brothers started at his bold words,
and like the loved gentleman lie was tile
Count de Guebrian3es proceeded to 10
what he considered to be his duty.
You. Jean" he continued, ARE our
mothers firstborn. You came into the
world the year after her marriage, so
you are ont of the question altogether"
The marquis smiled. Of course he WAS
out Of the question. You, Francois.
were her PETITE one upon whom she
lavished all her love. You were born only
a 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 a slur
on you. while | am different. God help
me! | first saw the light in a strange
land. The late Marquis de Guebrianges
was then ambassador to St. Petersburg.
Ny 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 expiration has been long. and she
has carried part of her secret with her 70
the world beyond the grave. am con
WINGED that | am the stranger. and | feel
that | am giving her the supreme proof
OF my love and respect in telling you
what ! think to he the truth. Now, what
am | to dog 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. thu the oil who lay dead
in the next room had heeu the idol of his
life. and he wept that she was no more.
The marquis voice. cold and contemptu-
Gus, roused him.
My brother and thank you for your
franknesS 70 the world you will al
ways remain the Count de Guebrianges.
but yon must go.
When Will You leave?:"
After the funeral" said Rene in sur
prise. and looking up he met the cold.
inplacable -size of his eldest brother.
By tatit consent they returned to the
chamber Of death and re%verentiy knelt
beside the couch where the m~archioness
reposed suddenly they sprang to their
feet az she slowly raised herself. and
pointing to her eldest son gasped:
at is-!t is Jean"
Then she fell heavily back. She had
only tainted before. but this time she
was dead indeed.
Rene sal nothing. nut his strong arms
encircled his brothers lettering form.
and IN after years his true heart never
wavered in his affection for his brother,
nor in his respect and devotion for tie
dear martyr whose last breath Lad been
his vildicatioa From the French OF
Henri Lavedan in New York Journal.