Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-12-09
A Tragedy BY Ear.

We happened to come out of the
club together, and so l walked along
the boulevard with NJ. Maroux, man
with kindly face, but marked with
an infinite melancholy.
"Will you wait minute for me?'
said l, as we reached the postotfice
II wish to go in and telephone,
He started at the last word, and
saw his grip tighten on his cane. When
returned he still seemed nervous, and
to break an uncomfortable silence
made some commonplace remark about
what marvellous invention the tele-
phone was and what inestimable ser
vices the progress Of science was doing
us every day.
"Do you think SO ?" replied NJ. Ma
roux, in a tone of bitter irony. at
seems to me, on the contrary, that SCI
ence, far from aiding us, only empha-
sizes our human weakness and cruelty
multiplies the means that can cause US
suffering. But you will understand
me better if I give you an example OF
what | mean from my own experience:
81 was spending my autumn vaca-
tion with Louise, my wife, and Mar
eel, my little son, at my country place
at Morande, which l had just bought.
was in the country about three
leagues out of Marseilles. Nanette
our old servant, was both housekeep'
er and cook. Blaise, who was devoted
to me, delighted at being once more
near the city where his worthy old
mother lived, fulfilled the functions of
gardener and had his quarters in a de-
tached clubhouse.
with my gun on my arm and my
two dogs at my heels l used to wan
der about all day with my wife and
baby in that delightful solitude. To
make amends for our isolation, | had
telephone line put up to connect
with the central Office at Marseilles,
and by it every evening, as l sat in
my bedchamber, could learn what
had been done during the day at my
factory in Paris.
Our peaceful life was interrupted
by a notice from my superintendent.
By making personal application l
could probably retain an important
government order. The weather was
so fine and Marcel seemed so. well that
Louise decided to wait for me at Mo-
rande. But on the eve OF my depart
ure for Paris the rain fell in torrents
When the hired vehicle arrived before
my door, at sight of fthe immense black
ness of the fields and wood. felt a
sudden gripping at my heart.
"'You Will be away only two nights,
Louise reassured me. 'Nanette will
sleep near my room. Blaise has your
gun, and from the house where he
sleeps he could hear us call, and the
dogs are an excellent guard. What
could happen to us?'
II kissed Louise and Marcel ant
started on my journey. On the trair
l passed a most uneasy night, and
had no sooner reached Paris than
Jumped out of the carriage and has
tened to telephone Office. Commu
nication being established, l heard
nasal and mufled, but still very swee
to me, the voice of my wife.
"'Hello : called. How did yO'
pass the night, Louise? We're yol
very frightened?'
eyes, llttle-Nanette especially
We did not get to sleep until almos
daybre4k because Nanette thought sh'
heard steps in the garden, The dogs
which we had forgotten to unite, haC
been barking long time. AT last W
opened the window and called Blaise
He took the gun, looSed the dogs AM
made a tour of the house, but the.
saw nothing suspicious. Baby, VIII
did not suspect anything, the fine lit
tie fellow, has walked up and is call
ing me. Goodby. If you have a mo
ment before dinner, call me up again
"Only half reassured, l plunged in
to the business in hand and was no