Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-06-13
THE DOCTORS FALSE PROPHECY.

"You wrote me word that yon are
dying, and find you up and we'll, writ.
Ing your letters. Good.by, sir"
"Odette! DO let me explain; one
word only" And as she was leaving
the COmtc snatched up from the desk
the letter he was writing to his mother
and held It out to her. "Read this be-
fore leaving" lie gaspcd.
She took the letter, glanced at the
flrst few lines. and then fell on Ray.
mond's neck sobbing.
Poor boy! 1t was the truth"
For q few minutes they remained
claspcd In each others arms, full Of
passion and pnin. giving mute express
sion to the memory Of the happy months
they Ind spent together and to remorse
for tho year Of happiness they had lost
by their separation.
They sat down close to one another.
hnnd in hand, completely overcome by
their feelings.
At last the Comtc bethought himself
Of his forefathcrs. one Of whom had
climbed the steps OF the scnffOld In '03
whlstling a tune from the "Indes Ga.
lantes."
"Weli, never mind" said he, with a
smile. II suppose ought not to com.
plain. lam dying Of complaint which
will be fashionable tomorrow"
But Odetto looked at him rcpronchful-
". and ho did not continue. Women
have no taste for irony.
They chatted about old timcs-at first
almost in whisper. us II they were In
o room where death Ind stricken down
a fellow creature; then. by degrees, the
remembrance Of better days brought
to mind little incident which made
their tips smile. while their eyes caught
sight on tho wall Of some object recall.
ing particulars Of the life they had led
formerly, such rs tho pictures Of q
chase, which evoked the sound Of the
huntsrnan's horn rs 1t rent In glowing
gladncss tho November mist, and they
dwelt with pleasure OH the dry when
they had cantcrcd side by side, rustlinG
the b.own leaves which covered the
forest path.
Miniature fans, dusty accessories Of
charming cotillons, reminded them Of
a German waltz which they had danced
before their marriage. and how they
had illrtcd the same evening under thu
palm trees Of tho dollhouse.
They lived over again their rides II
the Bois de Boulogne, under the green
shady boughs. when they were like two
boys out for spree, breakfasting o.
the Pavilion Chinois and coming bacl
through the Champs Elysees to tax,
their part In the exuberant life Of tn,
gay city; they would part for q few
hours. yearnine to meet again-afte
being bored at tho club and at 8 o'clocl
tea-in their box at the opera or In tn
tete-a.tetc Of their home.
: Raymond and Odette were 20 absorb
ed by these old souvenirs that they be
came 0blivious Of time and Of the terri
bic circumstances which had brough
them together again.
The l,ell rang. They awoke to pain
full reality and exchanged horrible
look OK anguish.
"Dr. Darlois," announced the valet.
"Why, you do not mean to say thu
|, you are out Of bed?" said the medica
man. With an amazed countenance.
, was coming to"
!, "YOu were coming"
Il "Weli, I don't see why I should no
, tell tho truth now that, thank God!
!, was mistaken. was coming to max
!. quito sure you were dead!'
!. "Much obliged" smiled the COmte.
y ''Thcn no ID out Of danger?" inquire
!, Odettc, anxiouly.
o 'ThcIe Ia no question about It. Bu
Q It 10 certainly very odd. for the Ecll
{ des Cliniques published yesterday a
d exhaustive description Of tho Mont
Q Nevertheless. pray be assured TINT ! al
9 very happy"
oil Internationally the Doctor was vcr
happy. At the same time. II he In
, told tho whole truth he would have ~
!, mitte,l that ho was rather vexed at ha'
= ing been such bad prophet.
= "Odettc." suggested Raymond. In
- whisper, do not you think you migl
- ask him to dinner with us In the evel
- ing?"." From the French. In the Strau
Ma0aZiNC