Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-06-16
NEW SERIES, VOL. XXI, NO. "a

He was to marry her.
/ Thought should faint upon hearing
the news I could no longer restrain
myself. told him all 1 knew OF this
Juliette, for I had gathered no end OF
information concerning her. knew
some stories connected with her name
| that Vie Parisienne would hardly dare
print. and those fellows, you know,
publish anything. admit some Of the
narrative would not hold water; maybe
many were inventions pure and simple,
but preferred to believe everything,
and told Maurice all knew, eadeavor-
ing at the same time to inspire him
with confidence IN my reports. BE lis
tened attentiveIy and, without words
reply, went away. saw him bite his
lips rs he withdrew; his face was deadly
pale.
When he came in ut night he cIn-
braeed me in his usual fashion and said
in g tone that forbade further argument:
ssSee here, little mother; you mustn't
talk that way TO me. It is highly UNI
dignified in woman to repeat such in
famous tales concerning another. JUL
cite deserves my love, and loves me with
all her heat. Pray, do not force mo to
choose between her and my mother. y
Well, they married Although. Juli-
cite invited me, I would not live with
them. / could not have done so. 1
packed my things and with the two old
servants buried myself in small sub
urban villa. Maurice visited me quite
frequently On Sundays he took lunch-
con ut my house. AS to my dnughter-
in-law, 1 saw her only when Went to
the city. So two years went by, the
sorriest of my life. Iaged at least dec
ade during that unhappy period No
deceived wife, no deserted mother, has
ever been more tantalized by the pangs
of jealousy than was.
did not begrudge her his kisses and
caresses-he had made so many others
happy with that sort of thing-but she
was his friend. his confidapt. She was
all that had been to him. She repre-
sented the great turning point in his
life, and was nothing to hini
During the first year of their mar
riage he created not single canvas
The salon knew him not. Perhaps you
won't believe it, but felt highly elated
Mt that said to myself: "She is in his
way. She hinders the development OF
his genius. He will sicken of that. ="
But my calculations went for naught,
for in the year that followed he sur
passed himself by 1.-THE Death of Ma
nou," that grand painting which drew
the prize of the SALON. Strange to say,
did not feel any satisfaction ut this either
-Iwho had once lived but to see him
succeed.
1.-THE Death of Mnnon" panied me.
That 1.-the body, those red curls, those
alga eyes-they belonged to her whom
hated. Still he never neglected me.
Every now and then Maurice visited his
old mother, and after awhile. noticed
he came oftener and remained longer.
Had anything happened? It seemed to
me as if he had something to coniide,
but hesitated and suffered because he
hesitated.
Mothers eyes are uncommonly sharp.
My poor darling undoubtedly was un-
dergoing tortures, and who loved him
so well knew the cause of his unhappi-
ness, but could not bear to ask him to
free his mind ON my bosom. In fact, i
did not want him TO obtain relief.
meant he should feel the extreme sor-
rows of the position he had got himself
into, bear is all alone. wanting consola-
tion, crying in vain for sympathy.
desired him to return to me exhausted
and all forlorn. Then. and only then,
would heal his wounds, and he would
forever thank me for saving him
And as this Juliette ceased to be my
rival, my hatred for her diminished
While they were happy, cared not to
visit them. Now, when dissolution was
threatening, invited myself and staid
for days and weeks for there We're things
to be found outi What an observer 1
came to be-a regular spy and detective,
and in the end got it all down fine. My