The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-02-01

! But will she not despise me-" whis-
pered Marius as he halted in the cen
ter of the room and pressed his hand
| to his throbbing brow, will she not
look upon me as man bereft of his
senses. or. what is worse. will she net
repul me with indignation. nay, with
horror"
\ choking sensation caused by the
prison-like Odor and clOseness of the
apartment now obliged Marius to leave
the place. With wild strides he hur-
ried through those dark and deserted
Railways. not pausing until he reached
the broad avenues adjoining the Inva-
lides. He sank almost fainting upon a
bench. and the glorious beauty Of the
autumnal sunset Knocked him. Where
was the fair dream OF his life: Where
We're the delicious hopes which had
for so many years frightened his ex-
istence, nay, made it bearable? Gone.
all gone, in an instant. For a single
instant, and an instant only. realiza-
ton has burst upon him with bewilder-
ing radiance only to leave him plunged
in the blackness of despair. Happily
he had directed his orderly to meet
him that night in Paris. The man was
faithful and intelligent. and Marius at
once dispatched him to St. German
with a note to NJ. Eaveluy. announcing
his resolution to withdraw absolutely
his demand for G aires hand. and with
instruction to pay his bill and bring
his baggage back to Paris with him
When the orderly re-entercd Marius'
room at midnight he found his captain
in delirium. Brain fever had devel-
opcd itself. and fer several weeks Du-
lacs life hung by thread. But care
full nursing and skilltul treatment
finally tided him sifely over the last
crisis and set him on the road to re-
covery. But the ailment left him the
merest wreck. To remain in Paris for
the winter might prove fatal, and with
his physicians advice Marius deter
mined to spend the months on the
Mediterranean. 1t was not until
March that he began to think of re-
turning to Paris and reporting for
duty. He was then at MentOne, and
while CHANGING over the list OF noted
arrivals in the local journal one morn
ing, a sudden palOr overspread his
face.
"What's the matter. Captain? Are
YOU not feeling SO well thi, morning."
asked al acquaintance who was break
fasting with him.
"Oh. it s nothing serious. said Dulac,
lightly, as he made haste to raise
glas, of cognac to his Ii ps. Il didn't
sleep well last night. I'm not feeling
quite myself"
The truth was that among the ar
rivals at one of the quieter hotels he
had that moment read the names:
Nine. Daniel Davcluy and daughter.
she here" whispered Narius as he
closed his door and threw himself into
an easy chair with a sigh of man
more than tired Of life. And alone
with her daughter, too: This means
that Daveluy is dead: that she is free
that" but Dulac's words died away on
his lips. He dared not utter them.
SprinYiny up he began to walk the floor
with the slow stride of a man who is
hesitating. Irresolution set its mark
on every motion, every attitude.
Adele Daveluy was free, end she
loved him: OF that there could be no
doubt. and to fill life's cup of delight to
overlooking she was that instant but a
stones throw from him. True, Claire
was there. too: but what matter?
Would not Claire honor and respect
him for his manly frankness and hon
esty?
All day long he kept his room. He
dare not walk abroad. Suppose he
should suddenly come face to face with
mother and daughter: No, he must
see Adele alone irst-their hands,
their hearts. their lips must meet as
their souls had. Then it would be time
enough to let Claire into the secret.
1t was not until the lamps in the parks
had been lighted that Marius ventured
out for stroll. The night air was de-
liciously balmy. but with uncovered
head and bounding heart he wandered
up and down the most unfrequent, d
portions of the garden. Suddenly at
point where two paths crossed, tall
fe male figure clad in deepest mourning
fitted witty by. Her veil was drawn
partially aside. disclosing face of al
most marble whitcness as the electric
mistakirg tit was the living Giac IN
da. her beauty if possible made more
radiant by her grief. 1t was Adele
Daveluy. Mariu> had great difficulty
in kc coping the tall figure in sight. so
swiftly did ii speed on its way. Marius
followed to the very steps of the hotel
veranda. then wheeling abo,it he made
h ste to enter his own apartments,
where with high-leaping heat and
trembling hand he Ienned the foil; W.
ing lines:
ADELE: When we parted last Sep
temher both heaven and earth seemed
to utter terrible No as to whether
we should ever meet again. But since
that hour what changes. \ kind Proyi-
dence has snatched me from the Jaws
of death. and now brings me to your
side. You are free now: you may utter
now what on that day you dared not
even think. Oh. Adele. give me leave
to throw myself at your feet. Can you
not see that God wills ii that my love
for YOU can make amen Is for all the
terrible past: MARIUS."
An answer reached Marius that very
night. The handwriting was faint and
disturbed. To Marius this was JOY
full sign. 1t told of the hand trembling
with emotion that had written it, and
the first lines of the reply bore out
this Judgment. They ran as follows:
Yes. come to me. my friend. to-1nor-