Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1894-12-01

said NiVien. II had coupled ~ WIN
another ambition, but that one is sat
isfied-satistied forever You did not
see me2 No, got away -eluded the
police and" she broke into such a
strange, wild laugh that thought of
what Jadet had told me about her
mind.
This was the nearest she had come
to referring to her alteration with
the officer, and did not press her to
tell me more.
The thrill of the opening night of
1.-THE Countess Claire remains with
me still.
recall the crowded house, the
critics come to write the new drama
down and the throbbing of my brain
as Vivien appeared before the foot
lights.
But it was a success
The moment she spoke knew
what would happen. Her grace, her
bewitching face and figure, her
beauty, fragile but passionately
strong-all these united to insure me
triumph such as the little theater
had not scored in years.
l found Vivien, brilliant eyed, in
one of the wings after the fall of the
curtain.
She seemed to be waiting for no
one, and when came forward to con
graduate her she did not seem to see
me at all.
l spoke, but she did not look up
l touched her arm and spoke again,
and then she seemed to recall that
I she owed me answer.
1T was success, Monsieur NJ"
she said. You are satisfied with
your 'eountess?'"
How could l tell her how proud
was of her? How tell her that she
had not only made her fortune, but
my own, as we'll?
You shall go home with me to-
night" said the girl. II believe the
time has come, but you will let me
precede you a little.
told her that would be delighted
to see her at home, and below we
called cab.
1T will be going home with me il
we go in separate cabs, monsieur, T"
spoke Vivien at the door. you can
follow. will direct the driver"
She called another cab and directed
the driver to take her to the Rue Bor-
laise, mentioning the number in the
same breath The man fell back and
looked at her.
Vivien was in the vehicle and the
door was shut, and in another minute
we were rafting over the streets OF
Paris, but in different cabs.
Eager to see Vivien at home and to
note the route taken by my cab,
leaned against the glass and took
note of the streets. l was not far
behind her, and soon saw
that we were entering the poorest
quarter of Paris, the quarter where
the petroleuses and commune had
gasped and died before the bullets oil
the soldiery.
Her cab halted and mine soon came
up, but Vivien was already out of sight
1 entered the tall house and ran NJ
the steps, for the girl al told me thai
l would find her on the third floor
back, in a little room ten by twelve.
l heard the noise of a closing door
as started down the grimy corridor.
l was there in moment.
In another instant had opened the
door and stood on the threshold.
a light was burning on table, am
near It in a chair lay the form of al
old woman.
Viyien was there, too, standing al
the chair, with her face as white a
death and her eyes riyeted upon the
wrinkled face in the chair
advanced, but the girl threw M
her hand.
''She is dead. monsieur" she said.
''She promised to live till came bach
successful and she kept her word
This is my mother-the little woman
who followed me from Haute Lor.
raine, and whose son. my brother,
avenged by cutting to pieces the face
Of the officer who had him shot those
awful days / have lived to achieve
the only triumph 1 ever painted for
Oh, the long nights over the drama
oh, the patching it took and the OF
we burned, and the bread we tried t,
save till it was ready for you"
I seemed thunderstruclS.
"What, was it your work? -th,
drama2-'The Countess Claire@
Vivicn smoothed the white hal
that struggled over the cold temples
/ of the dead and smiled.
1T was my work, but it took my
: blood. Mother always said find hin
first and / found him. Monsieur
r you have lost your countess; you car
! find another, nut she will not be Wv
! len; no, not the little butterfly Of tn
, Haute Lorraine"
/ sprang forward 20 prevent ne
), from falling to the floor in faint
: but she was down already, and ten
derby laid her upon the poorly drapst
bed in one corner of the room
, The little doctor whom I summoned
D looked once and then turned to m
with a shake of his head.
''It is too late, monsieur; they viii
, go side by side to Pere la Chaise,
! they have money enough"
0 And they had money enough; TO
,..han fIa bcut "a rho tho it'll. oe--t a. =.