The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-21
THE THIEF.


pleased to be, to a most eniglnatical young
person. She spoke rarely and in a way al
ways little mysterious, making volunta-
rily secrets OF hundred little actions of life
and loving solitude in an alarming man
ner.
All this was offset by eyes SO beautiful,
by co1oring marvellous, by an express
sion so divines that had not the courage
to reflect on the singularity of her charac-
ter. 1 loved her, and often passed hours
of the night sitting before her doorstep,
simply dreaming "that she lived there
and meditating on her presence as does the
believer On the transu Discrimination.
did not know, in the first place, wheth-
or she loved me OF not; she always refused
to answer that question, referring to the
wishes of her parents and her confidence in
their wisdom. II insisted, she generally
ended by saying ''that she knew nothing
about it, but that she felt no antipathy to-
ward me, and that, according to her ideas,
was enough to decide young girl on mar
riage.'' In vain 1 supplicated, in vain 1
tried to animate this enigmatical being.
She remained as distant the manner in
which she loved, as unknown as she was
dominating.
One evening as was dreaming little
sadly of these things alone on the terrace
of the Syrtes commotion was heard in
the house. 7 returned to the salon, where
everything was in disorder, my hosts were
distressed, their friends embarrassed and
troubled and old Mime Desparcs horribly
pale and trembling
''What in the world has happened?"
asked. They explained incoherently that
Nine. Desparcs diamonds were stolen-old
family diamonds of great value. All the
servants had been summoned into an adj
joining room-in Short formal search
was to be instituted. An old gentleman,
NJ. de la Hestre, had been unanimously Sc
lected to direct this Investigation just as
l was entering, and his first proposition
was that every one submit, or rather offer
lnself, to be searched. Although the thing
was rather offensive no one protested, and
1t was decided that after the servants, each
one present should be examined.
To tell the truth, all this seemed of small
Importance beside my personal cares, and
with several others 1 waited the end of tie
adventure, while NJ. de Ia Hestre, his two
witnesses and our host began the inspec-
ton of the doinestics.
Very soon I fell again into my medita-
ton, my eyes hxed on the fireplace, as
though there were a fire, when suddenly I
felt touch on my elbow. raised my
head with start, to see my fiancee looking
at me most beseechingly. We were alone
near the 1reside and could talk in low
tones without being overheard She muir
INJURED very low:
''If you love me, arrange that they search
you first; then try to be near me, and, with
out being seen, try to conceal the object
that 1 shall pass you from behind
My blood ran cold. This annoying Incl
dent became terrible, filing me with the
most passionate trouble. 1 looked at the
girl in agony, but forced myself to smile
and whispered:
sit shall be done as you wish. -
My knees trembled; my mouth was dry
and hot The feeling that overwhelmed
me was inexpressible. 1t was a strange
Iningling of bitterness and pleasure that
my loved one should be weak to such a de-
gree. forced myself to have sort of dis
dainful pity, and in reality love beat ar
dent, strong, stern, in my Breast. 1 under
stood in a flash how beauty could become
divine above baseness of soul, how one
could respect it even in dishonor and a
hundred other things in which We're con-
fused, fervent love, devotion without limit,
desire noble and perverse.
Jeanne had thanked me with hardly
perceptible movement of the lips; she stood
by the wall with an air Of indifference and
pride:
"They are very long about it!'' she said
suddenly. ON. de la Hester is a man of
method" some one replied, and a silence
followed which told more and more on
ones nerves. for even the waiting in a
peacefS II frame of mind finishes by disturb
ing and emptying the brain like pump.
However, the moment arrived when, the
searching of the servants ended, the door
opened, disclosing our host, the two wit
nesseS and the old gentleman.
My heart beat furiously. I felt myself
become terribly pale; but, concealing my
agitation and steadying my voice, asked
to be searched first.
NJ. de la Hestre smiled at what he con-
sidered the vhim of young man and pro-
ceeded methodically to my examination. I
blushed, became pale, without any enc
finding that peculiar under the circum-
stances. When it was over, 1 made two or
three steps backward and found myself
near Jeanne. She lowered her fan and
handed me something with GOODNESS that
was only equaled by my calmness in seiz-
ing the object and placing it in pocket
of my coat. After which leaned against
the fireplace, being now merely a witness
and above all suspicion.
NJ. de In Hestre's search was unproduc-
tive of results. There remained nothing
to do but to visit all the rooms and then
inform the police.
Still my trouble of mind increased as
remained standing by the fireplace. My
brain was in whirl, and felt the crime
weigh on me as though I were indeed the
thief
Jeanne at last came toward me with
that undulating step of hers and gave me
look of such passionate gratitude that it
almost seemed to scorch me. Then in an
imperative low tone she said:
do you still love me?''
I did not hesitate. I replied firmly:
"Ycs"
elm spite of all that have done2"
''In spite of everything
Twill you marry mef''
ST will marry you
She enveloped mo with the same look,
/ still warmer and more lingering. l fully
hor77 kHo of he1xe
/ all law, human or natural, drawn from
/ the fountain head and against which moth
! ing ought to prevail.
| I felt strangely happy in this equivocal