The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-05
A TRAGEDY.

| leaders of the beau monde of Paris.
Lcontinc was upon the eve of what was
! considered most brilliant marriage, but,
although tho event was near at hand, she
seemed oppressed by sadness. For some
| time the young girl had refused to consent
to tho marriage, but at length, to tho sur
| prise of all, accorded voluntary yielding
! to the wish of her family.
Are you happy, my childs' inquired
| her mother.
"As happy as can be-" was the sad re-
| ply.
The Baron do Neuillcs, anxious respect
ing his daughter, questioned his vito fire.
| quently.
81 am pleased that Leontine has acceGcd
to my wish, +" he said, "but fear that she
entertained n prior attachment for Maurice
| Dorval"
You arc right" replied Nine. dc
Neuilles. "Shc has been attached to Maui
rice but she has reason to believe him
false and so consents TO we'd another"
Has she the proof that ho is fasc?'
"Undoubtcdly, and love onco triilcd
with is destroyed.
You may be right" added the baron,
"but fear that Lcontino is romantic and
SuC Will .CttTH WIcn TOO lalc JIluJ TIC Is
earnest"
Tho morning fixed for tho marriage ar
rived and Henri dc fremont was united
to LcOntine dc Neuiilcs in the chapel of
St. Cloud.
Tho last eight days of her girlhood life
had been passed by Leontine in II sort of
stupor. She seemed dead to all that sur
rounded her. Each day her mother had
assisted at her toilet, had embraced her
tonderly, and yet she did not seem to rea-
lie the fact that additional and devoted
attention wns accorded her.
Arrayed in her white robes and shielded
by her veil. Leontine was driven to church
| and led to the altar without ono thought
of tho terrible sacrifice she was making
| the sacrifice of heart, soul and pride.
Mmo. dc Ncuilies, seeing Leontine's
unnatural condition and doathlike COM
| posure besought her to weigh we'll tho
| step she proposed.
If this marriage is displcasing to you, "
she said, there is yet time to avert the
evil.''
You are mistaken" responded Leon
| tine. This marriage must take place. 1t
is inevitable.
| The marriage was celebrated with much
pomp. Tho court attended the ceremony,
and great was the display of grandeur.
Liz ibPoiy COulJic IuSScu luU
day ut the chateau, where the gayety was
brilliant in the extreme. Leontine had
never looked moro lovely. Not ray OF
color tingcd the marble pallor of her fair
checks, and in tho dreamy depths OF her
| dark, lustrous eyes there was deep mean
ing.
What ails you, Leontine?' questioned
the Princess dc Pays in "a whisper.
| Nothing"
| why, then, do you look so sad?'
| 1t is the effect of getting married." re-
piled tho Countess dc Wise, who had over
| heard her words.
AT l O'Clock the Baroness do Neuilles
| led her daughter to the room she had al
ways occupied. Nothing had been changed
except the bedstead. The little snow white
bed, which had formerly invited rest, was
| gone, and in its place stood one of regal
| appearance, surrounded by rich curtains.
| Here the baroness embraced her daughter
| and retired.
Try to be happy, my child" she said,
land remember you are now married."
Not for long" murmured Leontino
when the baroness closed tho door, Not
for long. was asked by the priest If
would be his wife. My lips, but not my
heart murmured yes. In the silence of
my heart L hate him-hate him and think
only OF Observation-Disclosures, my only loven
AS Lcontinc ceased speaking she exam
ined tho vial hidden in tho folds of her
handkerchief. Il have drunk it ALL"
AS she ceased speaking sho arose and
| folded her HANDS dovoutly before the
| crucitix.
Let it como quickly" she murmured.
In the large mirror that hung opposite
| she contemplated her changing features
| AS she did so tho mirror suddenly turned
upon its hinges, and another chamber
| stood revealed. Scarcely had she realized
| this fact when, to her surprise, man,
| beautiful as the archangel of Eden, stood
upon the threshold
Il am here, said the stranger
AT first Leontine deemed herself either
| the victim of some supernatural manifes-
| tation or thought the poison had rendered
| her delirious, but III an instant she recoo-
| nized Maurice
us it you" she murmurcd, land are
you dying also;"
DYING! no exclaimed, Selling her
hand. why, what 90 you meanyr
THAT have lost all desire to live"
Late as it is, " I've continued, ~ must
have some explanation from YOU before
you become that mans wife"
what explanation do you requiro?''
"You were mistaken and were deceived
The man you married forged tho letters
that illuminated me. This chateau was
once my fathers. l know of the secret
Goor and came TO you"
"But am dying, Maurice, dying"
With a cry he raised her gently and car
lied her into the adjoining chamber, and