The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-11

member, either, that 1t was TO the SOOQ
heart Of one to whom l had done many
injuries that 1 was indebted for so pro-
found pleasure. Leon Picot has his
moments of revenge, but he has his mo-
ments of gratitude also. He will find
occasion to repay his just debts as we'll
as his wrongs
I could not but shiver, for I rcmem-
bered how many hours of anguish this
man had caused me. He had very
quick perception, and at once d1scoV-
cred that it would be a relief to me TO
be rid of him. Immediately his fingers
frightened their grasp of his nat, ana
he advanced a step towards me.
81 CO." he said. do not fear that
l shall trouble you henceforth. am
content that the world is informed of
the honour that has been conferred
upon me. 1 may hold up my head
among the proudest. But, before we
part, one favour" 1 felt that his pro-
testations but had been but fine speak
ing, and the muscles of his face hard
ened into an expression of positive de-
NAL. You have a duplicate of this
portrait-yes, is it not? Permit me to
possess a copy of it. 1t will be a
qualification to the fatherly feeling
that 1 already discover to be growing
within me-"
I suppressed an ironical smile, for
felt that his vanity was ( . supreme
a passion to be treated lis ltly, and [
had proved that this Ver-cCquin as he
had styled himself, could indeed bore
to the root of the vine. If he really
meant to hold to his woodland some
thing of special earnestness in his man
ner made me bell We that in this In
stance his integrity was to be relied
on-a photograph was cheap payment
for radiance from his society. l went
n 70 nd 1rny hn tot
out of the frame"
Here" l said. You may have this
If you want it." I held it out for him
to take, and. he stretched out his hand
for it, sentimental crisis seemed to
take place within him. He dropped TO
his knees and seized my fingers in
convulsive grasp, carrying them to his
lips in sort Of frenzy of joy and
homage
Mon Dieu" he cried. lasping into
his native tongue in excitement, "but
it is distinction of the rarest, a glory
of the most coveted, to be the father
of one so beautiful and so distinguish
ed"
I sickened as 1 felt the touch of his
lips upon my hand, and hastily with
drew my fingers from his clasp. Not
a throb of filial affection assisted me
during the interview. 1t seemed as if
each moment spent in his company
developed new and more ignobIe traits
OF his character. The much-vaunted
instinct of consanguinity failed me in
my hour of need, and never appeared
thenceforWard, to reconcile me to the
9lstaSteful necessity of playing 4
daughters part towards father from
whom all my impulses shrank.
He left almost Immediately after
that, and [ must say that he has full
nlled mas promise not to trouble me to
II Jrr1, L,
sire IL, L insisted upon making him q
regular allowance for I can enjoy nv
own luxury more comfortably feeling
That he is provided for. He brings his
receipts in person, and occasionally l
am at nome when he comes and 7 re.
celVe MIN for a little while. But he
never takes advantage Of these visits
He is still humble and meek to -' tbo
verge OF sycophancy, and it is evident
mat ms admiration of me, in whosa
reflected glory he is enabled to shine
mas become a species of cult absorhin0
al an the strength Of his feeble inteIlect
!here Is no doubt that his vanity is
In In proportion to his stature, colossal.
IL dominates and directs all his a..
lions and emotions. It is his '' fe+ist,
ana ne is continually making sacri,
noes to 1t. l have become the higb
pflestesss that feeds the flames me-,
the altar, and his old feeling of re-
VehSe loWofdS me has turned into +ba
his saint. % 'o'ary tor
For me, the woman, he has no warm
er sentiment than he ever had naitt
or gratitude for my open avowaI Of o1lr
ielatlonshlp. The nobler sentiment.
OF humanity are, believe. wholly Ienl[7
ing TO MIN. But for me, the ceIebrated
actress, the successful artist who has
ATTAINED eminence in career in which
ne mas himself signally failed. he has
profound generation, established
upon the fact, which was a glorious Oh
1atlon 10 his vanity, that in the nroud-
est moment of my triumph I stoona7
from my lofty estate to clasp hands IN
the most familiar of relationships W,itb
one in dire disgrace. 10 Will
ran! 1t Is this pityful and pettv
seI-esteem Of his that most reneIs
me IN MIN: Were he even more ner-
Verted ana corrupt and less vain.
might fnd it less difficult to tolerate
nm nm. one may come to forgive a, man
his crimes, but it Is hard 70 hear nc
tiently with his weaknesses P''
The terms Of the sacrifice which Tic,
mad required of me were not easv of
Iulhlment. 1t is no simple thing for .
star IN the full swing of a. brilliant
season to break faith abruptIv with
her manager and the public, and with
draw permanently from the STAG.
MY financial loss was, of course. ver-J
large, but Notwithstanding nv liberal
indulgence of luxurious and exnensiva
tastes, L had been discrete in the in
Vestment of the large gains had made
III the past, and my future as well as