The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-16
THE THEN

pleased 70 b, ~ mo6e GnlEnnaucni young
person. She spoks rAfsiy ana In way al
ways iittle mysterious, mailing volunta-
riiy secrets Of hundred little actions OF life
and loving solitude In an alarming mon
All this was offset by syss 20 beautiful,
by coloripg so marvellous, by an expires
sion 30 divine that had not the oourage
to reflect on the singularity Of her oharac-
ter loved her, and l often passed hours
of the night sitting before bsr doorstep,
simply dreaming "that she Rved there"
and meditating on her presence as does the
believer On the transubstantiation.
I did not know, In the first place, wheth-
or she loved me or 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 1t, but that she felt no antipatby to-
ward me, and that, according to her ideas,
was enough to decide young girl on mar
riage." In vain I duplicated, in vain I
tried to animate this enigmatical being.
She remained as distant as the manner in
which she loved az unknown az she was
dominating. tt
One evening as was dreaming little
sadly OF these things alone on the terrace
Of the Syrtes oommotion was heard in
the house. Ireturnsd to the salon, where
everything was in disorder, my hosts wero
distressed, their friends embarrassed and
troubled and old Nine Desparcs horribly
pale and trembling
what In the world has happenedp
asked. They explained !neobcrently 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 se-
lected to direct this Investigation Just as
was entering, and his first proposition
was that every one submit, or rather offer
himself, to be searched. Although the thing
was rather offensive no one protested, and
1t was decided that, after the servants, each
ono present should be examined.
To tell the truth, all this seemed of small
Importance beside my personal cares, and
with several others waited the end of the
adventure, while NJ. de In Hestre, his two
witnesses and our host began tho inspec-
ton of the domestics.
Very soon I fell again into my medita-
ton, my eyes fixed on the fireplace, as
though there were fire, when suddenly
felt a touch on my elbow. I raised my
head with start to see my fancee looking
at me most beseeohingly. We wero alone
near the flrcside 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
nn%h A,x, 90 In oh
that l shall pass you from behind"
3 My blood ran cold. This annoying incl
dent became terrible, filling me with the
most passionate trouble. I looked at the
girl in agony, but forced myself to dmile
and whispered:
at shall be dono as you WISH"
My knees trembled; my mouth was dry
and hot. The feeling that overwhelmed
me was inexpressible, 1t was a strange
mingling Of bitterness and pleasure that
my loved one should DO weak to such de-
gree. forced myself to have sort Of dis
dainful pity, and in reality love beat ar
dent, strong, stern, in my breast. 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 were con-
fused fervont love, devotion without limit,
u desire noble and peryerse.
Jeanne had thanked me with hardly
perceptible movement Of the lips; she stood
by tho wall with an air Of indifference and
pride:
"They are very long about It'll" she said
suddenly. an. de la Hester Is man Of
method,' some one replied, and a silence
followed which told more and more on
ones nerves, for even the waiting in o
peaceful 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. felt myself
become terribly pale; but, concealing my
agitation and steadying my voice, asked
to be searched first, 80. 49,
NJ. do la Hestre smiled at what he con-
sdered tho whim of young man and pro-
ceeded mcthodically to my examination.
blushod, became pale, without any ono
finding that peculiar under the circum-
stances. When It was over, made two or
three steps backward and found myself
near Jeanne. She lowered her fan and
handed me something with GOODNESS that
was only equalcd by my calmness in seiz-
ing the object and placing 1t In pocket
Of my coat. After which leaned against
the fireplace being now merely witness
and above all suspicion.
NJ. de la 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 were indeed the
thief
Jeanne at last came toward me with
that undulating step Of hers and gave me
a look of such passionate gratitude that it
almost seemed to scoroh me. Then in an
imperative low tone she said:
"Do you still love mef''
did not hesitate replied firmly:
eyes"
ain spite of all that have donep"
SIN spite of everything"
"Will you marry moi"
II will marry YOU"
She enveloped Inc with the same look,
still warmer and more lingering. fully
comprehend the power Of woman above
all law, human or natural, drawn from
the fountain head and against which moth
ing ought to prevail.
felt strangely happy in this equivooal
adventure, and could not throw off this
happiness for which I reproached myself
and of which was terribly ashamed.
AS was struggling with these contend
ing emotions ordinations were heard,
and saw M. dc la Hestre reappear hold
ing little box.
1--WE have the jewels and the guilty one,"
he said very calmly.
had only time to hear this much and
to see tho livid face of the valet-the guilty
one-when found that Jeanne was gem
tly urging ms out into the terrace where
Abo chndn In, Ahiolrlxr ulhora I folt Il