The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-25

were possible that such a creature exist
ed. He held his breath us he gazed on
her descending tho church steps. smil-
ing ut an older woman who accompa.
MED her, her mother doubtless. Instinc-
lively Montbrun followed them from
afar and saw them enter a small houso
OF modest appearance Taking the num-
Der, ho returned to tho hotol and asked
for information
THAT beautiful girl? Mile. de La
rade. Her father was an excellent man.
His family were rich before the revulu-
tlon but each succeeding generation had
sold off little by little land and fields
and woods to keep up their rank.
Finally poor NJ. dc Larade had taken
refuge i'll small building formerly oc-
cupicd by his intcndnnt There he lived,
as best he could, with his wife, nee
Laroche-G laieul, 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 ="
The vlscount wrote to his notary mt
Paris, requesting him to at once send
him letter of introduction to q notary
of Vitre and to apprisc that gentleman
that he, Montbrun, came of a 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 viscount
had arranged. He was presented to
Mile Jeanne dc Laradc, found her all
he thought came again and again to
her homo and was finally accepted as
her future husband upon certain condi-
tionS. Montbrun promised everything
they wished. He was in All ecstasy of
bliss during the few weeks which pro.
coded the day fixed for his marriage.
In the midst of his dreaming he ro-
celvcd through his notary-hc had care
fully concealed his address from all
othcrs-a letter from ono of his friends,
who wrote him that Paula Salimberi
was seeking him i'll every direction and
uttcring direful threats
AT length the cvcntful day arrived.
The contract had been signed Two
friends of NIontbrun had como from
Paris to serve him as witnesses. and
on tho 10th OF September, ut II in the
morning, the guests left i'll carriages for
the mayors Office. The viscount and
two or three persons were speaking
with functionary at that Office when
they were startled bya piercing scream,
followed by n long clamor of voices
Rushing to tho windows, they saw n
hurrying crowd, amid which n small
group were massed about rccumbcnt
form.
What has happened?" exclaimed
Montbrun almost suffocated by appre-
hension-
An unknown woman has thrown
vitriol i'll the face of Mile. dc Larade
All ono side of tho 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 homo of his bctrothcd.
Tell him that no will never SEQ mo
again" she cried, shedding tears that,
rolling over her raw wounds, burned
her like fire
The suffering of NJ. dc Montbrun was
intonao. To7,s17ned NTH fo7or, fia heart
seemed pressed in wise
A little later small package was de-
livercd to him.
The unknown woman, arrested imme-
dlatcly after the preparation of her
crime, stated that her namc was Paula
Sallmberl; her motive, vengeance.
Montbrun shut himself in his bed
room and opened his parcel, which con-
tanned small quantity Of white pow
der. Folding Il handkerchief into band
age, he measured out two spoonfus of
the powder and spread it on the band
age, which he then placed over his
eyes, tying it III firm knot at the back
of his head
Two hours after he arrived at the
homo of NJ. dc Larado III coupe, from
which the notary of Vitro helped him
to descend
DO not como i'll, said Nine. dc La
radc. 1T would kill Jeanne"
'"Tcll her that she may receive me
now, i" replied NJ dc Montbrun. eve
shall be married as soon as sho is able
to leave tho house. For me, her image
will remain ctcrnally what it was-I
am blind. "
Nj. and Nine. dc Montbrun lead a re-
tired life i'll their chateau at Juvisy
Jeanne adorcs the husband who for her
renowned forever tho sight of sky and
folds and flowers AS for the blind
man, he has kept intact tho picture of
an ideal maiden smilingly descending
the steps Of tho Church of ST Martin
He is happy, for in tho amending night
to which he has condemned himself he
sees her always young, always bcauti-
ul.-Translatcd From the French For
San Francisco News Letter.