The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-14
THE WIDOW.


laid.
This brilliant young man, the eldest son
Of the family whose name he bore, died
from the effects OF hunting accident al
rs years of age, and on the eve of mar
rage ardently desired by all concerned and
one that seemed to combine all the condi-
tons of happiness.
Marianne sank down in state Of ex
haustion Oh sofa in the drawing room.
kHer strength was exhausted. So many
Overwhelming emotions bad completely
prostra ted her, and she tainted away. The
careful attention of loving hands brou ght
her back to consciousness Then she swore
30 God to bury her 90 years in the sorrows
Of a voluntary widowhood and in the SOL
smn duties of eternal fidelity to the MEM
Dry of the past. The resolution that Mile.
&c Courvoy had formed and had commu-
liCated to her family did not take long to
make itself known generally to the world.
Among people who did not know her
well she found only uDbelievers. Her ia
Their and mother alone believed in her res
olution. for they knew her firm viii and
the energy and singieness OF her soul
They were convinced that as the widow Of
Jean de Thenlnes she would wear her
widows weeds forever, SO much convinced,
indeed, that they made no effort TO com
bat her resolution.
During the year that followed the death
hf her betrothed Marianne received two
proposals OF marriage. She refused them.
A third who arrived upon the scene re-
ceiyed the same treatment. Her sisters
married, and their marriage furnished an
opportunity to test somewhat the strength
and depth of the young widows reselu-
ton, but she remained unchanged.
u am widow she said, and wild
DIV / mean to remain. Every six months
she spent few weeks with jeans mother,
who lived since his death in retirement in
the chateau CT Themines.
When she returned to her parents after
these periodical absences, She showed tho
same disposition to remain single, and by
degrees the conviction at which the world
had laughed was accepted as serious and
final.
1t was believed that Mile. DC Courvoy
would never marry again.
Nine de Themines had a second son,
Pierre de Themines He was younger than
Jean and was now at the age at which his
brother had met death in the hunting
field
Marianne did not know him. at the
time when she was betrothed TO Jean he
was away in Asia on voyage of explora-
ton, and although after his brothers
death he had signifed his intention Of
coming home for two years he had been
detained by the delays of long and diff
cult journey. His mother was still wait
ing for his return.
She awaited his arrival with impatience
that was the more keen because she had
cot been able to console herself for the
death Of her eldest son or to fill the void
caused by that loss. Her grief was only
partially alleviated when she was able to
talk of Pierre, her second son, in whom
Ill her hopes were now oentered. She
hoped that soon after his return home he
would marry and by his marriage bring
back TO her hearth and home some of the
Joy and light that Jeans death had over
Swallowed.
Marianne was almost the only person to
whom the old lady had confided this hope.
Size was the person to whom, in preference
TO ali Others, she spoke OF the absent one.
She would praise his excellent qualities OF
heart, his personal appearance and his
character.
He is the exact image of his brother"
she would often say.
Marianne heard SO much about Pierre,
read so many OF his letters, saw his pic
lures and heard his praise so often an, so
loudly sung that size began TO feel an in
terest il him, although she had never seen
him. She began 10 form in her mind a
picture Cf what he should be if his char
scter and appearance had been truly
drawn.
Bat in this interest shc felt for the eb-
sent Pierre was no trace Of the love she
had conceived FOR Jean. She merely pro-
fessed for Pierre, without knowing him,
the affection that she was bound to feel
for ever body who had loved or known
Jean. She looked upon herself il some
sense as his sister, and she would have
protested strbn2ly against any suggestion
that the character of her affection for this
unknown brother couId change into love.
One evening willie she was staying at
the chateau j letter came announcing the
arrival OF Pierre in the country. IL was
two hours later by Pierre him
self
You will sec him, and you will love
him, said Nine. de Themines to Mari
anne.
She attached TO these words no special
bat when he came into the room
she was overwhelmed. Mime de Themines
had not exaggerated when she said that
Pierre was the image of Jean.
Marianne thought that she saw before
her the old lover alive from the dead The
Co A. 81,
and build and the same manners. She
listened for his voice. 1t was the voice of
the dead man, and in the accent and turn
be gave IN them it was as if she were ac-
fully in the presence OF the dead Jean and
listening TO his words from the grave
This interview resulted in an attack Of
prostration.
On the following day she made hurried
to go away, as if some danger
threatened her. But Nine. de Themines
would not allow her 20 depart.
If you go away now, she said, ''you
will throw shadow over the JOY feel at
lhe return OF my son. =
So Marianne did not 90 away. In spite
If her alarm there soon took place in her a
that, unknown to herself,
resulted in the awakening OF hopes that
,he would not admit
Once again she experienced in talking
With Pierre the charm that she had loved
% well with his brother jean.
With the help OF this Illusion her heart
opened end warmed once again with love.
One day Nine. &c Themines came up TO
Ger and whispered in her ear;
Pierre loves you, my dear girl Love
aim
She die love him Now they are mar
lied, Kansas City Times