The Van Buren press., 1895-10-12

wns small marvel that she worshipped
the bright, beautiful boy who was
doomed to throw the shadow Of des-
pair upon her-a shadow that was
never lifted till she passed beyond the
visible confines of these lower lands.
M. Necker died, and his daughter In.
herited the whole of his imperial prop
erty. Her first step was characteristic.
Meeting Pierre few days after the
funeral, she said:
Tell your father for me that there
will be no further rent on his vine.
yard"
But it is your vineyard" responded
Pierre.
t'No, it was never mine. 1t belonged
to my father once. 1t belongs to your
father now"
"Nay." said Pierre, my father never
earned it, and my father will take
nothing he has never earned"
Foolish boy" cried Madeline, don't
you know-can't you see--and her
lips trembled; don't you know-cant
you see that like you, and" sob
caught her voice.
Pierre forgot himself. you like
me, you say? Obi Do you love me
and will You be my wife?'
no" she answered, with break in
her accent. ..You forget that you are
only peasant
II forget nothing." he flashed. fierce
ly. II care nothing Of what you and
your kind may think OF me and my
class. We feel that we are your equals,
and in many things your superiors-
pirate none Of that dctestable doc
trine to me!' replied Madeline, her
proud face flushing red.
"I-I-oh, pardon, Madeline! Twas
mad--mad But you love me?"
NO
''But you will learn to love me?'
Leave me. and never let me see
your. face again.
Madeline"
Leave me, say" and turning her
back she looked out over the sea tha
throbbed and tinkled on the sand.
Pierre became a monk. None know
the revelations that came to him in his
monastic years-years mighty and
marvellous, frought with events both
terrible and triumphant. Through
mental processes, which one may never
know, he determined to leave his call
and dedicate himself to the betterment
of humanity-to become unit in the
vast army that was even then Begin
ming to press forward to the glad,
white glory OF liberty. One day he
found himself in Paris and standing
under tree in its pleasant parks. He
was tired, for he had been down in
the slums since daybreak, visiting the
sick, the poor, the wretched and bear
ing out of their presence still heavier
sorrow than even he had felt before.
II cannot understand it." he NUT
tered to himself II cannot under
stand why a just, loving, mereiful
Maker can permit the misery l have
seen to-day. All! the misery that
feel here" clutching convulsively at
his heart.
Just then rattle of wheels was
heard on the drive. and a carriage,
brave with armorial bearings, came in
sight
Pierre looked up and, looking, saw
Madeline. He staggared back against
| the tree. white to his quivering lips.
Should he speak? He looked down at
his dark robes, and the whole world
seemed to resolve itself into mockery.
"Pierre!'
The carriage had stopped, and Mad
define had spoken. The old love of the
old life was in her voice. But Pierre
was silent-gazing at her like mad
man and beating his breast with both
hands clinched.
Pierre, speak to mel" She had
alighted on the soft, sweet turf and
had caught him by the arm.
Leave me!'' he hissed. Leave me
woman-devil! Do not tempt me back
to the world or II will kill your
"Oh, Pierre, Pierrel You know moi
what You say! IL love you, and will
be your wife. !"
my wife, replied Pierre, with q
tense, harsh laugh. MY wife! Look
at ray robes. Cannot you understand
that have taken the oath of celibacy?
Yoa dismissed me from your presence
once. 1t is my turn to dismiss you
from my presence now"
but, Pierre, did not know my
heart in that old day. How joyfully
would ] give all my gold and become
a ragged beggar in the street to recall
the cruel words l spoke when ! saw
you last. ''Oh, Pierre! 1 have never
seen happy hour since then. Forget
and forgive. 1t is your Madeline who
cries to you'll viii you break my heari
forever? Pierre tell me that you love
me-that-"
Woman, go." clinching the trees fol
support
II can give you houses, valleys, hills
forests, towns-a fortune as great 81
any in France. can"
Your fortune is no temptation. II
is yourself tempts me. Oh, God! Why
was it given me of all men to undergo
this ordeal?'
"Oh, Pierre, if ycn bore for me tht
love that | bear for you, and shal
bear until the endless end shall hav,
told, you would not hesitate for Al
atom of an instant"
t'You know my VOW"
Break it,
II called you devil, and you are
Would you have me plunge my SOU
into perdition for the sake of you
love?'
! pierre, if you did. If you did, with ;
song of rejoicing ! would follow yol
to your deathless doom"
She had put her arms around hin