Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-02-21


that his love was indeed hopeless.
His rival was preferred before him,
and there was nothing for him TO do
but to go away, to stihe his love and
his despair. Night fell, unfolding
her dark mantle spangled with sill
very stars. and still the mourner
wandered on under the spreading
trees. In the Chateau Grillon all
were sleeping, and the only sound
in tho forest was the plaintive voice
of the screech owl, which from tall
oak tree made answer to the signs of
the wandercr
In the little oriental parlor. of the
! chateau Sunbeams We're coming
through the chinks of the closed
blinds and falling in long, slender
lines of brightness upon the mating
| which covered the floor.
Eva de Nalrey was gazing absent
ly at her little son, who, sitting on
a stool Mt her feet, was playing noisi-
" with wooden horse Leaning
back on the sofa, she reflected with
a smile upon the success of the trick
she had played on the marquis the
evening before and on her aunt'S
look of horror when told of her de
ception.
Suddenly Jacques Davanne in
travelling attire entered the room.
AT sight of the young countess he
drew back hastily and would have
retired, but that she spoke TO him.
"Wcll, NJ. Davannc are you very
anxious to escape from me?" she
asked gently.
All, no, madame, on the con-
tIary, but-hut, he stammered, Il
am about to leave Grillon.
You ALSO" she said, with some
bitterness. Then the marquis has
told YOU"
He has told me nothing, but
know too we'll, and l cannot stay
here and witness his triumph, his
happiness. All, do not think l hate
or envy him. The simple truth is
have been dreaming such dreams of
bliss that my heart, in falling sud.
denly from the height of its mad
hopes, has received fatal wound
What do you mean" said Eva
sadly, motioning him to sit beside
her on the sofa. What has hap
pened to grieve you so? Tell me
| your trouble"
He took the proffered seat and an
swered slowly:
DO not mock me with your SYM
pathy. That will only make nv
misery more keen. Last night in the
park l heard fragment of Your
| conversation with Raoul de Mel.
| Chede
What them" she asked, and he
exclaimed excitedly:
What then? Do you want to hear
me say that love you madly: You
know that, and so You also know how
/ suffer at this moment. had hoped
to accomplish the impossible-I, the
| poor artist, had dared to think that
the rich countess might be my wife
Fool that | was, nothing less than
hearing my doom from Your own
| .
All, fool, fool"
His emOt. ION was so great that Eva
trembled as she heard him, and
striving in vain to speak calmly, she
ASKED in whisper:
What did you hear last night"
II heard you say to him, Why,
then, should l not return your
love- replied the artist, and Eva
smiled rs she exclaimed:
But let me tell you. Mr. Eaves-
dropper, what the rest of the sen
tence was. said, But first must
tell you frankly that l have lately
lost my all through unfortunate in
vcstmcntS, 80 that ! and my child
will be entirely dependent on my
! husband
Her tone was so earnest and sin |
cere that Davanne was completely |
| deceived, as the other sutton had |
been, and he answered, with a sigh |
such consideration could have !
no weight with Raoul where there |
was question of winning YOU.
madame
Your friend, the marquis, add |
ed Eva in tone of contempt, ask
"d me 10 say the words once more,
50 great was his dismay Then, with
deep bow, he told me that, although
he adOred me, he knew his family
would not approve of his marrying
woman with no dover, and with
deep regret h" took bis departure.
1T Is impossible" said Davanne
in amazement. He never will re-
linquish you
He has done it 80 completely that
he IL now on the way 70 Paris, and
Grillon will see him no more" she
said.
A ray of hope pierced through the
darkness of her listeners despair,
and i" said siu, ly:
IF You could but have confidence
in me, in my talent! promise
would make You rich and happy, and
your child would be as my own
At that moment the little boy
looked up AT the distressed face of
the speaker, and climbing up on the
sofa he said consolingly:
What IL the matter? = re You
going To cry: Look, mamma, he is
so sad. LIT him kiss You, as l do.
and then he will not cry"
Before his astonished hearers could
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