Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-01-06
A CRUEL RUSE.

r
All Paris yet remembers the grief II
Mime. de Sora when she lost her husband.
Behind the door hung with the heavy black
prescribed by Partisan mourning there was
q terrible despair of the Spanish type. The
princess cut her hair, shut herself up and
would see no one. ROBBED in her black
gown, her pretty head covered with Grape
veil, she had the air of u young novice in
convent. She passed her days before her
husbands portrait and dined alone in soli-
tary state in the grand salon, where each
night two plates were set at table. The
cane and hat of the prince were put in the
antechamber in their accustomed places a.
if the master, gone forever, would return
presently. This remembrance in all her
surroundings added to the despair of the
poor woman and made the blank created
by his absence more acutely felt.
In the midst Of the whirlwind Of balls,
visits, receptions and concerts, where they
had been favorite guests In their happy
days, Nine de Sora had kept but one friend,
the Countess Ancelin, a drawing room
singer who, thanks to her beautiful voice,
retained her intimacy with the princess.
This great grief, so inconsolable, was irri-
tated by noisy conversation, but was
soothed by hearing singing near her. 1t
aided her tears to flow and drowned her
sobs. Two years passed thus The widow
hood was as sad, as austere, as ever, only
now the hair was allowed to grow soft and
fine. With the passing of time the mourn
ing became, as it were, lightened by ray of
sunshine and seemed now and then an ele-
CANT caprice. 1t was at this time that the
nephew of Nine. Ancelin met the princess
at his aunt's house, fell in love with and
dreamed of marrying her.
At the first word OF love, which he en-
deavored to say to her, she became indig-
nant. For her the prince still lived, and
his offer of affection seemed an insult to
him-a sort Of infdelity. For some time
she would not see her friend Nine. Ancelin.
The young man left the city and tried to
forget her, but he returned and exhibited
so much love and despair Nine Ancelin
took pity upon him and resolved to van
quish the scruples of the princess. But
how-how persuade that singular nature
which never reasoned and lived in the
midst of the enthusiasm of regret? The
thought struck her that SO exclusive pas
sion would yield to jealousy, and therefore
she bent her energies to awaken the feeling
in the breast of the princess.
She determined to secure some old letters
of the prince. This was not very difficult
thing to do, as in his bachelor days M de
Sora had written good deal, and his deli
cate handwriting was disseminated among
many dainty caskets. Nine. Ancelin pro-
cured one of these leaves Of romance and
had the nerve to once more seek admittance
- J., or hot ora
like living tomb than dwelling.
She found the princess weeping before
the portrait as usual and sadly showed her
one of the letters. 1t was not pain which
she gave her; it was a thunderbolt! Poor
little princessl Her grief, her touching
widowhood, so full of loving memories. all
gone, disappeared at once, at one moment,
in an abyss of contempt and anger.
Nothing remained now but desire to
avenge herself. The portrait was exiled to
the garnet. The cane and hat also took
fight. Once more the grand house was
thrown open to the gay world. and the
balls, suppers and receptions at the Hotel
de Sora became the fetes of Paris. The
princess, costumed in pearl gray, in soft
lilac, then in rose and in blue, resumed
her place in the world Of fashion. One
evening as she wandered through the gilt
tering throng, accompanied by Nine. An
celin's nephew, who followed her like her
shadow. she said to him, II will be your
wife whenever you wish" Shewould have
been willing to have married him on the
spot.
A short time afterward they were mar
ried, she with sort Of frenzied joy, he
with mind troubled and astonished at
this violent, sudden passion, yet too happy
to analyze the cause. The world spoke en-
Enthusiastically Of the marriage Nine. An
celin, accustomed to romantic expressions,
had even a charming word to say. "Do
you see the princessp You thought she
wept, but she was only cooling. 1t was q
dovelike widowhood."
Six months passed. The newly welded
pair were in the country at chateau in
the neighborhood of Paris. Nine. Ancelin
came to visit them. In seeing them SO
happy walking TRANQUILITY together in the
garden among the flowers the charming
countess, who was never able to see beyond
the present moment, said: And it is I
who have created this happiness. Truly,
l do not regret my little ruse. All, my
dear, / can afford to tell you now"
"What ruses What falsehood9" replied
the princess, with rapid movement.
"Ahl my dearest child, the poor prince
was not 80 black as be was painted. That
famous letter was five years old, written
before you were married or had even met"
"You have done this" said the princess,
and she looked at both her husband and
his aunt with wild eyes. The dead prince
had not betrayed her. 1t was she who was
false-she who had forgotten His very
name was discarded. Hecame to reproach
her in that moment and at once took his
former place in her regard. Her husband
| saw in gesture that she wished to separate
herself from him; it was all over between
| them.
She shut herself up once more and re-
treated from the world and for eight days
| endured an agony more terrible than be-
| fore, remorse being added to sorrow. The
unhappy princess had remarked without
| love, actuated alone by revenge, and the
prince having committed no fault she felt
criminal toward him and shame toward
| herself The poor husband knew there was
no hope for him. The ancient passion had
] returned with redoubled force. She spoke
| coldly to him, as II to stranger, assuring
him Of her pardon, persuaded that he was
not his nunt's accomplish At the last mo
| ment, us Nine. Ancelin wept before her
| full of regret, though not comprehendinR
her fault, the princess felt rs though but
terfy had crossed her severe, straight path
and said in feeble voice: "You see, do
not COO. die" and 1t was true.-Alphonse
| Daudet
Nh Further Use For It.