The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-01-14
2HE LAST BANQUET

The LAST BANQUET
An orphan from the time that he could
rcmemhcr, Georges de Louvaillcs had
been adopted by the intimate friends of
his father. NJ. and Mime. de Ncrsange.
tic had found with them the devotion,
affection and tenderness which one in
his position rarely finds ana the sweet
ness of which destiny had seemed to de-
sire he should never taste. At the time
when Georges came to them Nine. Yer
sange brought into the world Il very pref
~ little girl, whom she named Blanche,
and who some years later became to
Georges all that a sister could have been.
Brought up together, the two children
lived in the most friendly intimacy, play
ing the same games. enjoying the same
pleasures and Borrowing over the same
small troubles of their age; the huppiest
years of life, the years of childhood,
rolled past with them swiftly, lightly and
Joyously. their hearts full sof the gladness
OF Sprlngtlme. in the innocent gayety and
charm Of comradeship full of tender
ness.
NJ. and Mme de Versange were re-
Jolced at the lively friendship of the chill
uren and little by little founded upon it
the nope of future union between them
When at last Georges came to manhood
and this dream of Il marriage seemed
nearing its realiza ton Blanches neulth
began to inspire them with vague misgiv.
lnsS. Naturally very delicate, the young
girl, instead of growing stronger uE she
grew Older, appeared to become langlid
and almost feeble. Pretty and frail as
she was. with her sweet smile and dainty
face set IN fri me of pure gold, the sad
dest thoughts seemed to occupy her mind,
and sometimes the color faded from the
pure face and the smile, while remaining,
held in its expression unutterabla mel
ancholy.
Alarmed at the state of his daughters
health, NJ. de Versange consulted physi-
clans. who assured him his alarms we're
groundless. and that the trouble would
pass as the girl grew older. They advised
him, however, to take Blanche where
she could breathe the pure air Of the
country. The beautiful days were just
beginning and they were convinced that
simple change of air would effect in a
very short time Il complete cure. NJ de
Ecrsange followed their advice. Rapid
preparations were made and the faulty
left Paris and established themselves in
beautiful little chateau in BOurgognn.
1t was at this time that sudden
change made its appearance in the rela-
tionship between Blanche and Georges.
They who had been almost inseparable
seemed to avoid being together. and their
conversation, formerly so frank joyous
and familiar. became constrained, while
each showed embarrassment in the
others presence This change did not
eSc1np thn pntico of 1T opI AI,,,o r.,
Eersange, who smiled at the trouble of
the young people and said to each other:
"Frlendship is giving place to love; the
brother and sister nave departed; behold
the lovers!'
But Blanche and Georges were far
from taking this view of the situation
In their restless hearts they asked each
other the same questions, and the un-
certainty each felt us to whether love
were mutual augmented their timidity
and helped to widen the gulf which Law
between them. Georges had many
times determined to tell his love. but
when he would have done so the words
died OH his lips and the opportunity
slipping by found them still unsaid.
Ills one hope was that circumstances
would Ill some way help him and make
IL plain statement from him unnn"ns-
Sary. But the calm and regular life of
the chateau showed no signs of dis
turb'nE its serenity for the benefit of the
baShfui youns man, and his hone re
manned nnfulilled.
At last Blanche, feeling sure he was
waiting TOR chance, determined to make
one. Georges was accustomed to ne
every morning to a pretty littlc nook nj ~ ~
the park, where he seated himself m -
rustic bench overhung by a beautiful rose
bush. When not reading he would lot
ms eyes dwell on the beauties surround
ing him and feed his soul on nature
Blanche knew the young mans habit, as
she MAD been sent more than once to tell
him when he had forgotten the hour and
fingered in his verlant corner.
One morning she went into the mark
before the, time Georges usually took
for his walk: Picking a large bunch of
white roses she placed them on the bench
ana hiding herself behind bush waited.
Georges was not long in coming. The
young girl heard his steps and breathing
WIN dlfhculty scarcely dared to look up.
perusal of a little book. If at that mo-
ment he had seen his pretty love he would
nave found her face, as red as y Grim
son flower: Arrived at the bench he
looked up from the book and perceived in
his 1avorlte place the bouquet Of white
that had put the flowers there he seized
them and pressed them passionately to his
lips, while mist rose before his eyes.
From her hiding place Blanche, ready to
run away. watched the young man
through tears, which came unbdden to
her eyes. Then suddenly lightly, she ran
to him. They looked into each others
and without a word he folded her in his
arms. At last his heart had spoken.
They loved each other with a love fu]l
OF sadness, i'll which the presentiment of
unrealized happiness was mixed with the
sweetest ecstasy. The dream of their
lives seemed at times to be overcast by a
shadow thrown from 4 jealous future.
Blanche.s health grew worse instead of
better. The first vague symptoms of
disease which had filled her mother and
father with alarm row caused them the
despair of a terrible certainty. The fresh
country air, the sun, the flowers the
spring had not accomplished for the
young girl the expected miracle In spite
of all their efforts to restore her to health
and happiness, in spite of the most minute
care, she was slowly fading. The charm
ing flower of her life was unable to bear
the stress Of living and drooped gently
and sweetly, but surely and relentlessly
Those to whom she was so dear watched
but could do nothing. Although NJ. and
Nine. de Versange betrayed in some de-
gree the agony they felt in seeing in the
progress of disease. Georges, by a supreme
effort Of the will, locked the grief in his
heart and devoted all his energy to max
ing the last days of his love as sweet as
possible. He never left her side, but
spent whole days with her without enter
tanning the least hope and hardly daring
TO let his eyes dwell on the poor, thin
face, lest his sorrow should get beyond
his control. He suffered terribly as he
watched day by day the light of life
vanishing from the eyes he loved, and
with it his hopes, dreams and even his
own life. The severe self-control he was
obliged to assume only made the torture
more unbearable and the strain greater
Although he did not show it, his mind
could not suffer all this without being
affected, and sorrow was leaving the in
delible prints: of her fingers upon the
young mans brain.
On q beautiful morning at the end Of
the summer Blanche died. For long
time prepared for death, her beautiful
eyes closed forever without suffering or
regret, as q flower fades. Although NJ,