River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-07-19

you at ten O'Clock. The carriage viii y4,s a.
the corner.
That same night. about ten s'clocl
Tavernier. in travelling garb. rang tho
bell at Mime. de Vermon's door.
Announce Capt. Tavernier, SAID he
TO the servant
NJ and Mime. de Vernon were seated
near the fire. She was embroideEing,
while her husband read aloud.
To what may attribute the honor
of your visit, captain" asked NJ. de
Vernon
i have come for madame"
You have come for my wife? How
dare you. Captain, if this is joke,
I swear to You"
1T IS no joke. I am aware of
besides il is all arranged between us"
What. Ny wife asked you?"
Madame herself has said nothing to
me. but her piano has spoken {"
1t was then, FOR the first time, that
NJ. dc Vernon saw the restless look in
his visitors eyes, and he took in the
situation in a glance. Reassuring
Mime. de Vernon. who chung to him,
frightened, he instantly added:
Very well. consent. My wife
shall 90 and make her final prepare
tions for departure. But before she
leaves. captain will yor allow me to
give her little advice?
Certainly. with pleasure.
NJ de Vernon led his trembling wife
to the door of her room and said. in a
low voice:
Tell Pierre to call an officer i'm
mediatel-."
Then ne returned and SIT down near
Tavernier.
so. captain, you are persuaded that
my wife is unhappy here and you
hope to better her lot by taking her
with you. You are positively noble ia
your devotion TO her
Not at all-not at all love her
with all my soul.
Where do you propose going?"
First to Italy, then To Spain, and
finally TO Jerusalem"
Splendid. But for such an extended
trip | suppose you have ample funds?"
"Of course" and Tavernier poured
seven or eight five-franc pieces, the
entire contents of his purse. into his
hand, exclaiming: Judge Tor your
self"
You are indeed well provided in
that respect" said De Vernon. ''0ne
more question arc your papers in
order?'
Il have no papers" said Tavernier;
besides, if any difficulty arises, shall
simply say that | am captain in the
Eighth artillery-that will suffice"
"Still. have my doubts"
At this iuncture there was knock
at the door. and the officer entered.
Il am glad to see you. SIR, " said De
Vernon: here is Capt Tavernier. who
proposes to abduct my wife, only his
papers are not in order"
Then the captain will not be able
10 go very far without annoyance. II
he will accompany me, will procure
the necessary passport
Very WELL" said Tavernier: but
he quick. for the carriage is waiting"
just then his eye fell upon the piano
Il should like to notify madame, 50
that she viii wait a few minutes. !"
He struck several chords, then followed
the oilEEEs
After they had gone, Mime. de Yer
mon entered aud threw herself trem-
/ bling into her husbands arms
'.He was madr' said she.
Mad for love of you" said NJ. de
Vernon. tenderly kissing her. Poor
Gabrielle. | had no idea you were so
unhappy
Ths next day. accompanied by one
of his friends. Tavernier left for Paris.
They had persuaded him that the sane
/ tion of the war department was abso-
lutely necessary for his trip. He was
| first taken TO Val-de-Grace for treat
ment. lie became worse every day.
/ If you visit the hospital at Charen-
| ton you may see in the main ward a
poor maniac necessarily walking. his
hands clasped behind him. Whenever
| ne reaches a window he runs his fin
gers over the sill. as on the keyboard
of piano. leans back and listens, then
again resumes his walk.
This IS Rene Tavernier. transferred
/ TO the Thirteenth. Prom the French
of Victor Jolly by Alice Zisk.., in San
/ Francisco Argouaut.