Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-02-23
THE CAPTURE.

Martha, the old servant, awakened
me. She said, iYour uncle is dyingr'
1 went down stairs and again found
myself before the half open door, where
for the past two days had been watch
ing The agony Of my uncle. He had
brought me up and had been the kind
est Of guardians. He had banished ne
from his presence. He lad commanded
that I 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? I 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. I
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 Senart's daugh-
ter. He died ruined-poor old fellow! l
hope that you will not object to my Civ
ing her small dowry. You will still be
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 III love with
her. Her step made me tremble, and her
fine profile charmed me. At the end Of
a month would have given heaven and
earth for her love. l dared to tell her SO
to ask her to marry me-but she re-
fused me without hesitation.
.sNever!' she declared positively.
All. that ''never!'' 1t broke my heart,
but answered her calmly:
'sYou might have told meso more gen
tly.'
SIT would have been less efficacious,"
she returned calmly. And [ admired the
barbaric frankness of her answer, like
the sentimental fool that was.
Today | know what the girl with the
dark eyes was hiding! 1 now under
stand her silence her cold reception
her insulting rejection. 1t was because
she was sure of her position. Already
she knew that she should rob me of my
fortune. And to think that during the
past two days l have not told her how |
despise her! To think that I 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:
'sDo you wish to kill the patient? It
can be done in a minute. A sudden
emotion, surprise, and he goes!'
Thus even nature is in favor of the
spoiler! Again I look at her. She is
leaning over the bed with the expression
of madonnal
Suddenly the old man moves and
means like little child. Ny heart is
filed with pity for him. Then he calls,
'sLaure!"
The doctor moves quickly. hear a
confused whispering, then cry:
II am suffocating! Ah-I'-----
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"
Laure hides her face in her hands.
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. It seems as if she We've
defying me.
However, consent and lead her int0
the next room. There we remain looM
ing at each other for minute without
speaking. It is she who continues;
s.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 I had only to obey.
That was at least the opinion Of the doc
tor. Believe me, am sorry"
81 should think sou I e1claim, with an
insulting laugh,
She looked me full in the face, hei
eyes flashed, and she stopped crying,
S'sYou will4 regret that laugh she said
haughtily. sit is cowardly. YOU'D. duty
as a gentleman is first to listen to me-"
I was struck with her attitude, al
though believed it to be only another
form Of duplicity, and replied gravely
ssBe it SO. I will listen to YOU"
She continued then vehemently.
81 know that you, believe that [ infu
enced your uncle know that you be
lieye me responsible for his change O.
mind toward you and guilty of having
captured his estate. ! know that yo1
believe me avaricious, a liar, plottef
However, [ an none of these things"
f.Ah. then you are not his heiress?"
asked, with bitter irony.
Eyes! / am his heiress! But l die
nothing that the most scrupulous deli
cacy could object to! I often begged
your uncle to send for you, and l only
ceased when the doctor assured me chat
my constant demands worried the pa
tient. Your uncle was my benefactor.
He saved me from misery, and | could
not dc anything which would prove nae
ungratefui. When he was attacked with
the strange whim Of pasfe.ring me to
yon, I was obliged to submit. AS he was
then too ill to be opposed
But you inherit the estafe:' 7 repeat
ed, with the same melancholy irony.
81 inherit it-well?'
She gazed fxedly at ne.
''If you were in my place, what would
you Think exclaimed.
sJust what you will think" and she
drew small packet from her pocket
and handed 1t to me, saying, tForgive
the old man and destroy this proof of his
delirium.'
Twas too much astonished to speak
NV hands trembled. Confusedly l real
lied how wrong had been in blaming
her.
s.What do you mean?" finally STAN
mered.
ssThat is the will. give it to you, ani
Won remain the heir of your unhapp,
uncle"
I was so overcome by her answe
that was obliged to lean against tn
wall for support-so ashamed that
could not look her i'll the face--he
whom had so basely accused.
After a few minutes collected mysel
end begged in duplicating voice.
"Forgive.mel Take back this packet
Iwould rather die than accept the es