Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-09-21

ly beauty-beauty so calm, so serene,
so radiantly pure that it seemed that of
one Of Gods angels. He wondered if it
were possible that such a creature exist
ed He held his breath as he gazed on
her descending the church steps, smil-
ing at an older woman who accompa-
MED her, her mother doubtless Instinc-
lively Montbrun followed them from
afar and saw them enter small house
of modest appearance. Taking the num-
Der, he returned to the hotel and asked
for information.
'That beautiful girl? Mile. de La
rade. Her father was an excellent man.
His family were rich before the revolu-
ton, but each succeeding generation had
sold off little by little land and fields
and woods to keep up their rank.
Finally poor M. de Larade had taken
refuge in a small building formerly &C.
cupied by his intendant. There he lived,
as best he could, with his wife, nee
Laroche- Glaieul, and his daughter
Jeanne. He had probably not more than
1900 or 1900 francs income, but the
ladies knew how to live OH very little,
while he, poor gentleman, had even
given up taking snuff. d"
The viscount wrote to his notary at
Paris, requesting him to at once send
him letter Of introduction to notary
Of Wire and to apprise that gentleman
that he, Montbrun, came of good fam
lily, had the reputation Of being a man
of honor and was not without fortune
after which the notary of Wire would
effect his acquaintance with family
wherein he hoped to find happiness.
Everything happened as the yiscount
had arranged. He was presented tc
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-
lions. Montbrun promised everything
they wished He was in an ecstasy Of
bliss during the few weeks which pre-
coded 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
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
hurrying crowd, amid which a small
group were massed about recumbent
form.
"What has hsppened?" exclaimed
Montbrun, almost suffocated by appre-
hension.
can unknown woman has thrown
vitriol in tho 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
againl' 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 wise.
A little later small package was de-
livered to him.
The unknown woman, arrested imme-
diately after the preparation 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.
tanned small quantity Of white pow
der. Folding handkerchief into 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 coupe, from
which the notary of Wire helped him
to descend.
''Do not come in" said Nine. de La
rade 1T would kill jeanne"
"Tell her that she may receive mo
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 Nine. de Montbrun lead re-
tired life in their chateau at Juvisy.
Jeanne adores the husband who for her
renounced forever the sight Of sky and
fields and flowers. As for the blind
man, he has kept intact the picture Of
an ideal maiden smilingly descending
the steps Of the Church Of st. Martin.
He is happy, for in the unending night
to which he has condemned himself he
sees her always young, always beauti-
full. Translated From the French For
San Francisco News Letter.
Wizards Of High Degree.