Connecticut western news., 1894-02-08
THE CAPTURE.

THE CAPTURE.
 Martha, the old servant, awakened me. She said, "Your uncle is dyingr
 Iwent 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 me from his presence. He had commanded that 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 heri
 Here 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. watch her every movement, and a 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:
 '.She is my old friend Senart's daugh- ter. He died ruined-poor old fellowi hope that you will not object to my giv- ing her 8 small dowry. You will still be . millionairer
 She was very beautiful, but proud and naughty. She received me coldly and in very ungracious manner, but in spite of that fell promptly in 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. dared to tell her 30 to ask her to marry me-but she re- fused me without hesitation.
 ..Neverr' she declared positively.
 An, that ''neverw It broke my heart, but answered her calmly:
 "You might have told meso more gen. tly."
 ..It 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 hidingi I now under stand her silence, her cold reception, her insulting rejection. It 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 have not told her how l despise her! To think that was satis- fled 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:
 Do you wish to kill the patient2 It can be done in a minute. A sudden emotion, surprise, and he goesw
 Thus even nature is in favor of the spoileri Again I look st her. She is leaning over the bed with the expression of madonnal
 Suddenly the old man moves and moans like a little child. My heart is filled with pity for him. Then he calls, Laurel
 The doctor moves quickly. hear a confused whispering, then cry: .I am suffocatingl Ah-P- A dead silence-then rattling 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. I approach. Iwould like to accuse her, but 8 puerile sense of respect keeps me silent, and it is she who speaks first. .T would like to say something to you" Her eyes are filled with tears, but her | voice is resolute. 1t seems as if she were I defying me.
 However, consent and lead her into the next room. There we remain look 1 ing at each other for a minute without | speaking. It is she who continues: 1 "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 had only to obey. That was at least the opinion of the doc tor. Beheve me, I am sorry"
 .I should think sor' exclaim, with an insulting laugh.
 She looked me full in the face, her eyes flashed, and she stopped crying. "You will regret that laugh" she said haughtily. "It is cowardly. Your duty as 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
 "Be it so. will listen to you"
 She continued then vehemently.
 "I know that you believe that I infu- enced your uncle know that you be- heve me responsible for his change of mind toward you and guilty of having captured his estate. I know that you believe me avaricious, liar, plotter However, am none of these things"
 "Ah! then you are not his heiress7" asked, with bitter irony.
 Yes! I am his heiressl But did nothing that the most scrupulous deli. cacy could object to! I often begged your uncle to send for you, and I only ceased when the doctor assured me that l my constant demands worried the pa tient. Your uncle was my benefactor. He saved me from misery, and could not do anything which would prove me ungrateful. When he was attacked with .he strange whim of preferring me tc l you, I was obliged to submit. As he wa then too i'll to be opposed"-
 "But you inherit the estatew repeat ed, with the same melancholy irony.
 'I inherit it-wellY'
 She gazed fxedly at me.
 "H you were in my place, what woult you thinkT' I exclaimed.
 "Just what you will think" and sh'
 drew small packet from her pocke
 and handed it to me, saying, "Forgiv the old man and destroy this proof of hi ; delirium."
 Twas too much astonishsd to xpsak