The herald., 1894-02-25
THE CAPTURE.

est of guardians. He had banished me
from his presence. He had commanded
that 1 should not be admitted to the
chateau. He had done all this without
motive, without ony offense on my part,
but simply because he had disinherited
me for her!
Her? l see her moving about In the
dying mans room, few steps from me.
There she reigns as a sovereign. She de-
votes herself to the patient. She obeys
each request of the doctor, who, with
her, watches by my uncle's bedside. l
watch her every movement, and wild
hatred, mixed with agony and humilia-
ton, burns in my veins.
On my return from Germany found
her living at my uncle's, and he said to
me:
'sShe is my old friend Senarts daugh-
ter. He died ruined-poor old fellowl l
hope that you will not object to my Civ
ing her small dowry. You will still be
a millionaire"
She was very beautiful, but proud and
naughty. She received me coldly and
in very ungracious manner, but in
spite of that fell promptly in love with
her. Her step made me tremble, and her
fine profile charmed me. At the end Of
a month l would have given heaven and
earth for her love. dared to tell her SO
to ask her to marry me-but she re-
fused me without hesitation.
Never" she declared positively.
All, that never" 1t broke my heart,
but answered her calmly:
"You might have told meso more gen.
tly."
at would have been less efficacious,"
she returned calmly. And l admired the
barbaric frankness of her answer, like
the sentimental fool that was.
Today know what the girl with the
dark eyes was hidingl now under
stand her silence, her cold reception,
her insulting rejection. 1t was because
she was sure of her position. Already
she knew that SIZE should rob me of my
fortune. And to think that during the
past two days have not told her how |
despise heri To think that was salts
fed to avoid her, not to talk to her!
How she must laugh at my folly
AS this thought enters my mind am
about to enter the room. But the words
Of the doctor still sound in my ears:
"Do you wish to kill the patient? 1t
can be done in a minute. A sudden
emotion, a surprise, and he goesl'
Thus even nature is in favor of the
spoiler! Again look at her. She is
leaning over the bed with the expression
Of madonna!
Suddenly the old man moves and
means like little child. My heart is
filed with pity for him. Then he calls
Laurel
The doctor moves quickly. hear a
confused whispering, then cry;
81 am suffocating! Ah-F'-
A dead silence--then rafting in the
throat-and again silence.
Then the doctor leans over the bed,
listens, and finally says in low voice:
HE is dead"
Laurie hides her face in her hands. I
approach. would like to accuse her,
but puerile sense of respect keeps me
SILENT and it is she who speaks first. 81
would like to say something to YOU"
Her eyes are filled with tears, but her
voice is resolute. 1t seems as if she were
defying me.
However, consent and lead her into
the next room. There we remain look
ing at each other for minute without
speaking. 1t is she who continues:
"You will excuse me for not having
sent for you sooner, but your uncle re-
fused absolutely to see you, and consid-
ering his condition 1 had only to obey.
That was at least the opinion of the doc
tor. Believe me, I am sorry"
II should think sor' exolaim, with an
insulting laugh
She looked me full in the face, her
eyes flashed, and she stopped crying.
"You will regret that laugh" she said
haughtily. sit is cowardly. Your duty
as gentleman is first to listen to me-"
/ was struck with her attitude, al
though believed it to be only another
form of duplioity, and 1 replied gravely:
"Be it so. will listen to you"
She continued then vehemently.
II know that you believe that influ-
enced your uncle. know that you be-
lieve me responsible for his change Of
mind toward you and guilty of having
captured his estate. know that you
believe me avaricious, a har, plotter!
However, am none of these things"
s "Ahl then you are not his heiress9'
asked, with bitter irony.
Eyes! 1 am his heiress! But did
nothing that the most scrupulous deli
cacy could object tol / often begged
your uncle to send for you, and only
ceased when the doctor assured me that |
my constant demands worried the pa
tent. Your uncle was my benefactor.
BE saved inc from misery, and could
not do any .hing which would prove mo
ungrateful. When lie was attacked with
the strange whim at preferring me to
you, was obliged 70 su omit. AS he was
then too Ill DO Be oppesed"----
But yeu inherit the estate!' repeat
ed, with the same melancholy irony.
Il inherit it-well?
She gaxsd fxedly at rue. Saa-
'It you were in my place, what would
you thinkT l exclaimed.
Just what you will think" and she
drew q small packet from her pocket