The Washington times., 1894-10-17

MARQUIS. Each loved the other with true
and strong affection, and finally the state Of
affairs came 20 be tacitly recognized by her
friends, while both retained their place In
Partisan society.
1T must be remembered that it is only
within the last few years that the Freuch d.
vorce law has been in existence. This was IN
the old days when there was no such thing
possible in France as divorce. The new
measure was then hanging fire. and il was
generally understood that as soon as It be-
came law both would apply for divorce and
thereafter marry.
THE marquis was accustomed to go 10 her
late in the afternoon, remain TO dinner and
spend a part OF the evening. His custom was
so regular and his practice so haDitual. that
when on one occasion, he made his excuses
and left Immediately after dinner, she was
greatly surprised. She said nothing, how
ever.
Again the same thing happened, and
again, and then she made up her mind 70 find
out the reason. She procured a cloak and a
thick veil. and the next time the same pro-
gramme occurred she bade him gOOd-by in
the salon. donned the disguise quickly and
followed him down stairs. He took hacre,
and she another, telling the coacher TO keep
the vehicle in sight.
.1Wen. in this way she followed him till she
saw his fiacre halt before the house Of a
9
her own-saw him alight and enter. All
through the night, until daylight the n ~
morning, she sat there in the facre and
waited. Then she went home and went from
one historical fit into another until her doc
tor finally succeeded in quieting her.
1.-THE next day she was able TO receive the
MARQUIS. and when he came before her there
was a terrible scene. She told him what she
had done and also showed him, probably. the
murder he had made Of her heart. He went
down on his knees before her and swore that
he had never really loved another besides
her-that the affair OF the princess was only
pour passer lie tempo. He promised to break
of his intimacy with her then and there,
never to see her again. This was possibly the
| first time he had ever realized how much the
| love of the countess meant to him. She would
not hear a word, sent him away. and gave
orders to the servants not TO admit him.
'sFrom that moment his punishment began.
| He broke off with the princess at once, and
| every day. morning and afternoon, he came
to the house of the countess. to meet with the
| same refusal day after day.
''Time went on. The divorce law was
passed. and the marquise, my friends wife,
| secured divorce from him. He wrote to the
| eomtesse. whose husband had meanwhile shot
! himself in a drunken debauch, begging her TO
marry him, and she sent back his letter. He
| used his influence in bringing about mar
/ rlage between ner UduSuIoE, uOH grown. anu
| a French yiscount of the finest family. In
return for this she makes his life a constant
| torture. The last time 1 saw him, two years
| ago I said TO him: We'll, how is the CON-
| tesse?' 1 shall never forget the agonized ex-
preston in his eyes as he looked at me and
| said: Mon Dieu, mon ami-it is always the
| same thing
Every week they meet like chance ac-
| uuaintances at the at homes of mutual
| friends. Every day he leaves his card at the
| door of the only woman he ever truly loved,
| and who now has become more than ever the
ruling passion OF his life. And from that day
| to this he has never touched her hand.
"And that, my friends, said the speaker,
sis true story"
'It is my opinion, said L, ''tbat one nights
waiting in the facre--
| "No." said the Frenchman, ''that's because
YOU don't know the French woman's heart.
She NAV be sane. The torture may be just as
real for her, too. She may love him more
/ than she ever did. only-she can't forgive
| him that one nights agony. that's all"
'Bahr' said my English friend, suddenly
rising. THAT is q beastly cigar. Let's go
and get another"