Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-01-30
TAUNTON, VA, WEDNEsD Y. JANUARY 30. /

.. E
oen1apiy grim, ana Danton wnun-Krls>
was hon to be approached with utmost
delioacy and care.
Raoul ci devant vicomte de La Sainte
Ceur. could hardly credit his good for
tune.
Here on the very day when, according
to his forecast Of events yesterday, he
! should have yielded up his head to the
republic. be was free man, free to 60
whittier he listed. and where indeed
should be go hut to the woman who for
some unknown reason was sufficiently
interested in him to preserve his head.
for the present. on his shoulders?
He had aged considerably since, ten
years ago, he sought refuge in the old
Chateau do Jean. Was it only ten? To
Raoul it seemed nigh a hundred. Some
how, as he walked slowly in the direc-
tion Of the Citizeness Valerie's house,
his thoughts dwelt on that visit Of ten
years ago
Poor old 1narquisel Lucky for her she
died before all these troubles fell so
thick upon la belle France and left
all her wealth. which was not inconsid .
cradle, to her much loved nephew Raoul
Not much Of that wealth remains, he
thinks Rrimly, save the old chateau in
Brittany, which has escaped the general
destruction Of the chateaux owing to the
pious memory in which the late Mar
quise de Brilliac is still held by high
and low for miles around
But her nephew dare not claim his
own, and he is on his way to thank this
woman who has Thought ct to save his
worthless life That done. be will raise
what money he can by the sale Of few
jewels that yet remain to him; then he
will take ship to England, there to
await the dawning Of better times
For two years. struggle against repub-
lican troops in La Vendee has convinced
him Of the hopelessness Of the Bourbon
cause, and he sees plainly that the red
tide of revolution that sweeps over
France is not stemmed by band Of mo-
bles, however devoted they and theirs
may be to that cause
His reflections have brought him to
the houseof the Citizeness Valerie, where
be is evidently expected, for no sooner
has he given his name than groom Of
the chambers in rich livery comes for
ward to conduct him to the salon where
the citizeness will receive him.
Raoul gazes curionsly on the unmis-
taxable signs of wealth that meet his
eye-the costly furniture, tho pictures,
the rich liveries of the servants. Verify,
he thinks, this actress lives as we'll as,
ten years ago, did a princess Of the royal
blood
The servant conducts him to spa
cious apartment furnished with all the
extravaganza Of the period and informs
him that the citizeness will rsceive him
without delay.
Left alone, unconsciously Raoul'
thoughts fall back into the train in
which they ran during his walk thither.
Once more he goes back to that dreary
afternoon ten years ago. and before him
rises. as many time it has risen, q
lovely, foWerlike face and angry, flash
ing hazel eyes, He puts the vision from
him with bitter laugh. Surely his
troubles have turned his brain that the
face of pretty waiting maid should so
haunt him. Then comes the uneasy
doubt that has often perplexed him be-
fore. What if, after all, she were no
serving maid, but one of his own rank?
Bah! 1t all happened ten years ago. and
kiss is no such crime, after all.
The door opens. and he goes forward
to meet the Citizeness Valerie, who en-
ters.
Clad in a pale pink gown of some soft,
clinging material, she looks her lowell
est today, but Raoul starts back, for
surely those hazel eyes and that soft
brown hair are the same which have SO
often haunted his dreams The round
ness of the girlish face, the slenderness Of
the girlish figure, are gone, but save that
her beauty has blossomed into glorious
maturity there stands before him the lit
tie maid of the chateau.
She sees his start and smiles
IT fear have disturbed your medita-
tions, monsieur. She drops the repub-
lioan Citizen" in speaking to this aris-
tocrat.
II have been SO long exiled in La
Vendee that the glory of the goddess Of |
Paris somewhat dazzled me, " he said,
bowling low over the white hand she
holds out to him.
She flushes, but whether in pleasure
,r anger he caxnot tell
Madame, let roe convey to you ray
aincerest THINKS for having deigned to
lhtercede for my worthless life, . contin-
ues Raoul, half unconscious, but hold
ing the little white hand in his own,
Drowned ard hardened by sun and ex-
posure.
She draws it away quickly, and her |
face pales and crimsons again with some |
sudden emotion.
''The poor actress, Valerie, should
deem herself too highly honored if she
be in any way instrumental in saving |
the life of a Sainte Cpur, she begins |
bitterly. then suddenly stops as she |
meets the eyes OF the vicomte fixed re-
proachfuily on her.
May, madame Do not undervalue |
your own gift. What you have done for |
me today has rendered me your slave |
forever.
A gleam of the old merriment flashes |
in Valerie's eyes. Quick as thought she |
decides how to act.
mo ruc-e thanks. monsieur. take |
you at your word and enroll you as my |
slave forever. Is it not so?
No more fair mistress ever owned . |
more willing slave, " be responds eager
~. for this woman has set his heart |
beating and his pulse dancing as no one
has ever done before.
lone boon only crave, = be contin-
ues-' that is the name of the fair lady ] |
serve
For an instant shade passes over the |
face Of the actress, but only for an in
stant With q gay laugh she says: T
am tho Countess Valerie to all now.
Once, long ago, was''- Then, noting |
his eager anxiety, she interrupts herself I
and cries gayly; Come, monsieur. ]
want your help in littlo comedy am
rehearsing. Perhaps, after that is given,
will tell you who once was, and
she adds in lower tone, as If address,
ing herself, s'if you will not already |
have remembered it. =