Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-07-27

of honor and was not without fortune, after which the notary of Vitre would effect his acquaintance with family wherein he hoped to find happiness.
 Everything happened as the viscount had arranged. He was presented to Mile. Jeanne de Larade, found her all he thought, came again and again to her home and was finally accepted as her future husband upon certain condi tions. Montbrun promised everything they wished. He was in an ecstasy of bliss during the few weeks which pre- ceded the day fixed for his marriage. In the midst of his dreaming he re- ceived through his notary-he had care | fully concealed his address from all others-a letter from one of his friends, who wrote him that Paula Salimberi 1 was seeking him in every direction and uttering direful threats.
 At length the eventful day arrived. The contract had been signed. Two friends of Montbrun had come from Paris to serve him as witnesses, and on the 10th of September, at II in the morning, the guests left in carriages for the mayors office. The viscount and two or three persons were speaking with functionary at that office when they were startled by piercing scream, followed by long clamor of voices. Rushing to the windows, they saw a hurrying crowd, amid which small group were massed about a recumbent form.
 "What has happened?'' exclaimed | Montbrun, almost suffocated by appre- | hension.
 i 'An unknown woman has thrown vitriol in the face of Mile. de Larade. All one side of the poor child's face is badly burned and an eye destroyed. They are carrying her to her home. ''
 Montbrun fell, rigid and unconscious, to the floor.
 He tried vainly during the day to be received at the home of his betrothed.
 "Tell him that he will never see me againp' she cried, shedding tears that, rolling over her raw wounds, burned her like fire.
 The suffering of M. de Montbrun was intense. Consumed with fever, his heart seemed pressed in q wise. 1 A little later small package was de- \ livered to him.
 The unknown woman, arrested imme- diately after the perpetration of her crime, stated that her name was Paula Salimberi; her motive, vengeance.
 Montbrun shut himself in his bed room and opened his parcel, which con- tained q small quantity of white pow der. Folding handkerchief into a band age, he measured out two spoonfuls of the powder and spread it on the band age, which he then placed over his eyes, tying it in firm knot at the back of his head.
 | Two hours after he arrived at the home of M. de Larade in a coupe, from which the notary of Vitre helped him to descend.
 ''Do not come in,' said Mime. de La rade. Ut would kill Jeanne.
 ''Tell her that she may receive me now, " replied M. de Montbrun. ''We shall be married as soon as she is able to leave the house. For me, her image will remain eternally what it was-I am blind ''
 
 NJ and Mime. de Montbrun lead a re- tired life ill their chateau at Juyisy. Jeanne adores the husband who for he1 renounced forever the sight of sky and fields and flowers As for the blind man, he has kept intact the picture oi an ideal maiden smilingly descending the steps of the Church of St Martin. He is happy, for ill the intending night to which he has condemned himself he sees her always young, always beauti- | fu1 -TronS11tp6 From the French FOl