The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1895-02-23

ulSnlty OF m would she
refuse to forgive even under these solemn
circumstances?
The anguish Of uncertainty, added to
the neral torture, made Raymond vince
despite all his nerve and resolution to
take his inevitable fate coolly. With
something very like terror he eyed the
ffceting minutes which separated him
from eternity.
Another horr few away while he was
cett-nG ready to die. stopping now and
then TO muse with melancholy on his
past life. lie wroteto his mother q very
long letter. full Of "reminiscences Of his
early life, and as he did SO tears came
to his eyes.
Suddenly Raymond started at the
sound Of the electric bell. After a few
seconds OF wild expectation the door
was opened and the servant ushered II
mime. la Conitesse de Villemere."
He rose from his seat very pale.
"Odettc!' he exclaimed.
But the young woman remained
standing on the threshold, her features
contracted with anger.
This is most shameless trick, sir
IA trick. What do you mean?"
lyon wrote me word that you are
dying, and l find you up and well,
writing your letters. Goodby, sir"
"Odette! Do let mo explain. One
word only" And as she was leayingt the
cointe snatched up from his desk tho
letter he was writing to his mother
and held it out to her. Read this be-
fore leaving" he gasped.
She took the letter, glanced at the
first few lines and then fell Oh Ray
mond's neck. sobbing.
Poor boyl It was the truth"
For . few minutes they remained
clasped in each others arms, full Of
passion and pain, giving mute express
sion to the memory of tho happy months
they had spent together and to remorse
for the year of happiness they had lost
by their separation.
They sat down close to one another,
hand in hand, completely overcome by
their feelings.
At last the comte bcthought himself
of his forefathers, one of whom had
climbed the steps of the scaffold in 1898
whistling a tune from the ''Indes Ca
lantcr."
well, never mind" said he, with
q smile. "Isuppose l ought not to com.
plain. ! am dying Of a complaint which
will be fashionable tomorrow.
But Odette looked at him reproach.
fully, and he did not continue. Women
havo no taste for irony.
They chatted about old times, at first
almost in a whisper, as if they were in
a room where death had stricken down
a fellow creature. Then by degrees the
remembrance Of better days brought to
mind a little incident which made their
lips smile, while their eyes caught sight
on the wall of some object recalling
particulars Of the life they had led for
merly, such as the pictures of q chase,
which evoked the sounds of the hunts
mans horn as it rent in glowing glad.
ness the November mist, and they dwelt
with pleasure on the day when they had
cantered side by side, rustling the brown
leaves which covered the forest path.
Miniature fans, dusty accessories of
charming cotillons, reminded them of a
German waltz which they had danced
before their marriage and how they had
hlrted the same evening under the palm
trees Of the dollhouse.
They lived over again their rides in
the Bots de Boulogne under the green,
shady boughs when they were like two
boys out for a spree, breakfasting at the
Pavilion Chinois and coming back
through the Champs Elysees to take
their part in the exuberant life of the
gay city. They would part for a few
hours yearning to meet again-after be-
ing bored at the club and at 5 O'Clock
team their box at the opera or in the
of their home.
Raymond and Odette were so absorb |
ed by these old souvenirs that they be.
Obhvious of time and of the terri
bic circumstance which had brought |
them together again.
The bell rang. They awoke to pain
full reality and exchanged q horrible
look of anguish.
DIR. Darlois!' announced the valet.
why, you do not mean to say O
are out of bed?' said the medical man.
with an amazed countenance. II was
to-
"You We're coming?''
We'll, / don't see why ! should not
tell the truth how that, thank God, I
was mistaken. I was coming to make
quite sure you were dead"
Much obliged, smiled the comte.
Then he is out of danger?'' inquired
.dette anxiously.
There is no question about it. But