The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-10-17
lMPERIHL MILLIONS
By JULIAN HAWTHORNE

copyright, 1901. by American Press Assocfa-
tion.l
Then, when all seemed well, Solange
himself was slnitten. He struggled man
fully against the fatal grasp of the fever,
but in vain.
When he realized that his time had in
deed come, the anxiety caused by the
thought of the peril to which his recent
mission Was thereby exposed had the
effect Of worsening his disorder His
mind was in no less pain than his body;
he had set his whole soul upon fulfilling
the emperor's command, and he could
look upon his illness in no other light
than as crime on his own part He
had undertaken duty-as important a
one as had ever been intrusted to sol
dier-and he was about to fail in it. The
emperor, never hearing from him, would
suppose that he had been unfaithful and
had yielded to base temptation. It was
more than probable that the whole fut-
ure of France might be compromised by
his failure. He writhed in helpless ago
ny at the reflection. And every hour
every minute-he grew worse, and knew
that fate would be too much for him.
Dupont meanwhile faithfully tended
him; the lank, red haired adventurer dis
played all the tact and cleverness of a
woman. He always spoke cheerfully to
the sick man, and his genius for telling
amusing stories seemed to grow with the
demands upon it. Nevertheless, Dupont
knew that the chances of his friends re-
covery were infnitesimal, and he per-
ceived that he had something on his
mind. Dupont had previously made up
his mind that he would find out what
Solange's mystery was, and he awaited
developments.
One evening, after long silence, So.
lange spoke:
"How far are we from Panama, Fran
cois?"
'sStill two days at least, if the wind is
fair, mon brave"
''Sacre!-I shall never last it out!'
"Never lose heart! You will be all
right in day or two,"
ST shall be at the bottom of the ocean.
All, 1 know it! l have tried my best,
but it is no use. The emperor will curse
me for scoundrel.'
''The emperor" repeated Dupont, look
ing up. ..
"Did l say the emperor! Bah! my
mind wanders."
''Listen to me, Maurice" said Dupont,
bending over. s'YOur mind is not wan
dering, but there is weight upon it. !
have seen it all along, it has retarded
your recovery. Come! am your friend,
am not? If were as you are I would
confde in you. don't know what wor-
ries you; but, if did, might be able to
help you. And'if can you don't doubt
that l will-eh? Come, free your soul,
my lad, and your body will be all the
better for it."
"If l were sure that must die"-mut-
tered Solange, hesitating.
"You are sick man; but l have told
you the only chance for recovery" said
Dupont, Struggling his shoulders. ''One
believes in Providence. suppose? Well,
is it not Providence that has sent your
best friend to ;our side at such a mo.
ment?"
The dying man fixed his eyes upon the
speaker. Francois" he said, 'if l tel
you this secrat will you swear to be
faithful to the trust? Will you carry il
out as if you were myself? This is nc
child's play, be sure of that! You are a
good fellow-you are my friend; but il
you were my brother or my father il
would not be too much"
''Make yourself easy on that score
mon cher" returned the adventurer, lay.
ing his hand on the others shoulder. 81
don't want to drag out of you anything
you prefer to keep to yourself, and it is
only in your own interest that I speak
But as to trusting me-what shall say!
have lived as / can-I don't deny it
but after all, am an honest man, and
would as soon think of betraying you as
of scuttling this ship and swimming
ashore. Voilar'
''If you keep your word, Francois, yor
will be fortunate the rest of your life,
said Solange; -t'but," he added, hall
raising himself on one elbow, ''if you
do betray me, may you die as I am dy.
ing, and with no one to love you; and
until you die my ghost shall haunt you
day and night and make your life hor
ror!''
"Bah! bah! there is no need of this,
said Dupont, with laugh. 81 have
said that you may trust me, and l can
say no more. Now, do as best pleases
YOU"
'Bend over here" faltered the other
huskily, "and let me whisper in your
ear"
+
Solange died just after midnight. Du.
pont, after securing all the papers that
he could find in the stateroom, prepared
the body for burial, and with the assist
ance of the captain heaved it overheard
MAY your sleep be peaceful, old com.
rade," he muttered, as he leaned over
the bulwarlzs and marked the phospho.
resent glimmer as the corpse sank into
the depths of the sea. Truly you had
heavy load to carry on this earth. You
were not equal to it; and Providence,
who favors the strong, transferred it tc
me. Well. shall know what to dc
with it, ghost or no ghost! Farewell >
The Santa Lucia reached her port two
days later. A tall, red haired man, who
announced himself to the authorities as