The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-30

ten1hg the edges Of our griefs, one day
when we are worn and old it lifts itself
again out of the marsh of our misdeeds
and confronts us when we least expect
it. This time, when it makes it's beauty
evident, with choking, unquenchable
pain which tears at our heartstrings
like inevitable loss, we recognize, too
late, that the time has passed during
which we might have culled it worthily
and worn it openly.
Perhaps such feeling came to life
in De Lacaze's soul, that soul so sordid
with it's owners mistranslation of life
as to have forgotten for years that such
a characteristic as personal probity ex-
listed. Perhaps not Tho judge, as he
watched his face closely, sternly resent
full, thought he saw something fit
across it at Priscilla's words which re-
sembled a flicker of acute pain. Then
he considered that he had been mistak-
en-. The count rose and confronted Pris-
ella.
II love you, mademoiselle, he said,
with his old fashioned inclination, SO
odd to American eyes, so correct in
French titled circles, misunderstood or
otherwise.
Forgive me,' returned Priscilla
gently, "but do not love you, count. -
There have been women who have
learned to love-" persisted the count,
women such as you, mademoiselle.
Priscilla flushed very suddenly and
deeply.
81 cannot" she answered, very low.
'You could not try, mademoiselle?"
De Lacaze's little withered countenance
was almost wistful now. Inexperienced
no awlkwardness in pleading his suit be-
fore a roomful of people. It was Gus
tomary in cases Of this Sort he suppos-
ed. To Priscilla the situation was not
only ludicrous, but full of anguish. She
saw Stornmouth's face, with it's stern
mouth and powerful brows, as though
through mist. Desmoulins was pull.
ing his mustache violently. He knew
DE Lacaze was playing his last card.
The transaction had glided from him
like quicksilver. The present issue was
maddeningly conclusive.
1T is impossible, I" said Priscilla.
"Why impossible?''
Priscilla shook her head. Then she
turned toward her father. ooh, send
him away!" she cried eft is hard for
me-and for him!''
The count drew himself up with
little stiff movement which betrayed q
record of military training.
"Assez, mademoiselle. I have lost, -
he affirmed curtly to Desmoulins. Belt
said to his credit, he accepted his defeat
with no little courage, considering
what it involved for him.
81 will hold these papers, " remarked
Judge Delno with precision, against
M. Desmoulins until he admits his col
fusion in them" He pointed to the two
letters. "The fine incurred by the COM
mission Of the crime they confirm is
1000 francs, /" he added pithily.
Then quite unexpectedly he drew
slip of paper from his pocket. 81 find
upon search, he remarked blandly, the
lids of his eyes untitled, his suave voice
carrying the weight of an ominous
calm, its volume increasing as he con-
tlnued, "that the aforesaid property in
Touraine was confiscated some 20 years
since by your fathers creditors, and also
the property in Lombardy; that, al
though what you state is true in regard
to the village of Chambourliez, in the
Vosges-that your grandfather sold it
for 10, 600, 600 francs-what your afore-
said relative received was $4,000 all
| told.
II am at a loss '-the judges voice
here took on quality which his coli
leagues were won't to dread-"to dis
cover any sum accredited to you at your
bankers, where, l have been informed,
you do not possess a checzbook. At the
Office where you are employed as report
| er have received this recommendation.
or, as M. Desmoulins calls it, renseigne-
ments: DE Lacaze. Wherewithal? Nil.
Income? Nil. Intelligence? Unequal.
Ability? Undeniable. Salary, 400
francs a month. =" He paused. cat your
club. he added dryly, ''your debts are
/ reported to exceed your winnings"
There was a fine smile in the judges
eyes as he laid the paper down. "Soslim
case had hardly been worth crossing
the Atlantic for" he mused Storm
mouth could have conducted the matter
without his assistance.
| Desmoulins had been moving toward
the door. He started as Though he had
been shot as man barred his exit-the
man designated as 1.-The Rat Storm
mouths garcon from DuAand S, with his
we'll known smooth face and little ferret
eyes. Desmoulins recognized him as his
direst foe. He it was, he now remem-
bered, before whom he had laid his ne
farious proposition as regarded De La
Gaze. He recollected at this moment
that this man held him by the throat as
effectually as those papers of Judge
Delno, which might encompass his ruin.
Before the occupants of the room
could acquire even recognition of the
arrival of this last overpowering wit
ness of the two rascals' CONSERVATION
and visible acknowledgment that the
game was up, Desmoulins, with a brief
Gallo exclamation which was as salient