Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-03-22

early lille and rs he did so tears came to
his eyes.
Suddenly Raymond started at the
sound of the electric bell. After few
seconds OF wild expectation the door
was opened aud the servant ushered in:
Mime. la ComtesSe de Niilemere,"
He rose from his seat, very pale.
"Odette" he exclaimed
But the young woman remained
standing on the threshold. her features
contracted with anger.
This is most shameless trick. sir"
"A trick! What do YOU mean?'
you wrote me word that Won are
dying, aud find you up and well, writ
ing your letters. Go0d-by. sill.
"Odette. DO let me eNplain; one word
only" And rs she was leaving the
comte snatched mp from the desk the
letter he was writing 10 his mother and
held it ont to her. Read this bcfofe
leaving" he gasped.
She took the letter glanced at the first
few lines, and then fell on Raymond's
neck sobbing.
Poor boy, II was the truth
For "A few minutes they remained
clasped in each others arms full of
passion and pain. giving mute express
sion To the memory of the happy months
they had spent together and to remorse
for the year of happiness they had lost
by their separation.
rhel sat down close To one another
hand in hand. completely overcome by
their feelings.
AT last the comte hethought himself
of his foreiathers, one OF whom had
climbed the steps of the scalTo It in '93
whstliug a tune from the Indies
Galantc>.
Wei, never mind, said he. with
smile Il suppose ought not 10 COM
plain | am dying Of complaint
which will be fashionable tomorrow"
But Odette looked at him reproach-
fully, and he did not continue Women
have no taste for irony.
They chatted about old times-at
first almost in a whisper, a if they were
in room where death had stricken
down fellow creature; then, by de-
grees, the remembrance of better days
brought to mind little incident which
made their lips smile, while their eyes
caught sight on the wall OF some object
itbdliluE pau liN : Vi Aiit liiN wv h'N
led formerly, such as the pictures of
chase. which evoked the sotsd of the
huntsman's horn As il rent in glowing
gladness 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
German waltz which they had danced
before their marriage, and how they
had ilirted 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 Champ Evsees to take their
part in the eXuberant life of the gay
city; they would part for few hours,
yearning to meet agaln-atter being
bored at the club and at ) o'clock tea
in their box at the opera or in the tete-
a-tete of their home.
RAYMOND and Odette were so alb
sorbed by these old souvenirs that they
became obivious of time and of the ter
rible circumstance which had brought
them together again.
The bell rang. They awoke to pain
full reality and exchanged a horrible
look OF anguish.
"Dr. Darlois,' announced the valet.
why, you do not mean 10 say that
you are out of bed?' said the medical
man, with an amazed countenance. Il
was coming to"
~ on were coming"
well don't see why ! should not
tell the truth now that, thank God. |
was mistaken. | was coming to make
quite sure you were dead
Much obliged, smiled the comte.
Then he is out of danger?" inquired
Odette, anxiousy.
There Is no question about it. But
it * certainly very odd for the Echo dcS
CiUliqucS published yesterday an ex-
haustive description of the Mona.
Nevertheless, pray be assured that am
very happy
Unquestionably the doctor was very
! happy. At the same time. if he had
told the whole truth he would have adj
mitted that he was rather vexed at hav-
iug been such "A bad prophet.
"Odette, suggested Raymond in "A
whisper "do not YOU think you might
ask him to dinner with Us in the even
ing?"--FroUl the Fr1tch IN He Srand
Nuga.btc.