Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-03-31
ON LA B0URGOGNE.

by The Thought IL a certain episode OF her
past but ton shAdowy and remote 10 causs
hor mon than an occasional trcmor.
five years agu, when she was but girl
OF ~. her romantic heart had been can.
turd by tho glamour Of "a handsome face
anu glib tongue, and to cScaDc the dull
monoinny of her country home she had
married Adolph Lcpris. Six months of
dissipation, cruelty and NEGLECT. however
had done its work, and when one ,l;,y she
found herself deserted she, like "A sensible
woman, buried the memory Of her short
married life, and finding it necessary to
earn her own living went on the operatic
stage, where she managed to make sonle-
thing " "a name for herself.
Then She heard Of her husbands death
In drunken brawl at the goldfelds and
when Paul Duplcsse the rich wine mer-
chant, proposed, although he was ten
years older than Charettc, he was promptly
accepted He was good man, and soon
Charette's whole heart was given into his
keeping
One morning her mind was turning to
the programme Of the days pleasure when
her eye fell upon letter which had been
~ WV WY Vi Itlt HCAD. HOW
ever, she was common sense little no.
man, so she shook off the feeling Of name
less apprehension that had crypt over her,
and picking up the letter with somewhat
uncertain fingers she tore Off the cover,
spread out the crumpled sheet IL contained
and read tho following:
My DEAR WIrH-I hope this letter won't 10
too much Of shock, but really. you know
you might have waited until ] had mounted
the golden stairs before you replaced me with
the worthy Duplesse. Certainly did get the
news sent to you that l had performed the
scroba,ic feat alluded to, but never dreamed
at that time that my little Charetto would
ever be worth her thousands OF dollars. How
ever, am tired Of this accursed hole and think
IL is time settled down. l am leaving New
York hy the liner La Bourgogne, which sails
in about ten Us, and hope you will prepare
fitting welcome for your loving husband,
ADoLPH LEPRIs.
NJ. Duplcssc, entering his wifc's room
half Nh hour aftcrward WAS greatly star
tied to find her lying buck in her chair
unconscious.
Adolph Lepris stood on tho lower deck
of the steamship Ia Bourgogne, leaning
against the bulwarks and absently gazing
out into the fog of the early morning
When first he heard Of his wife's second
marriage, he hailed it ~ q glorious stroke
OF good luck, but Tvs the time drew nearer
and he realized the result OF his rvturn
upon poor Charette's newly found happi
ness his remnant Of conscience awoke, and
he almost repented OF his decision
"Phuyre petiter' he muttercd 1t Is
rough on her, but III let her off easily.
She can keep her old admirer and net the
grande dame II she II only be sensible and
give me enough to keep going In quiet
way. Cicl but what . rate We re going at
through this fog Captain wants to make
good passage, suppose, but surely it's
bit dangerous. l wonder where we areS
Somewhere off Nova Scotia, l should
think. Hello, what's .hatr"
As he spoke a shadowy form loomcd
dimly up out of the fog on tho starboard
side of La Bourgogne, followed immedi-
ately by u shrill warning from tho liner =
siren.
Then came hOarse cries, the rushing Of
feet, orders wildly shouted from both YES
sells, but too late, and moment afteryvard
the stranger crashed into the side Of Ia
Bourgogne, almost at tho spot where
Adolph LepriS was standing.
well, oheric," inquired Paul Duplesse
coming into His wifo's bedroom, how arc
you feeling now? Better, little woman"
Yes, thank you, dear" murmurcd
Charlotte in hoarso, dry voice rs she tried
to speak cheerfully and struggling bravely
with that choking lump In her throat
which would keep rising every time she
looked at her beloved husband--ah no.
no longer her husband! 1T was silly OF
Inc to faint this morning. l suppose it
was the heat OF the room.
"Ah, yes, httle wife, you must take 1t
easy just now, in your present state Of
health, and-eh? What is 1t, DEAR Do
you feel faint aGain?"
NO, mol" she breathed What have
you in your hand, Le Matinf Read me
the news, Paul. Anything fresh about
the war;"
NO" said Paul, opening tho paper and
glancing at the headlines; at Is still
dragging along. There has been On awful
collision at sea, though. Five hundred
people drowned"
Poor things!" Charette murmured
compassionately. "Was it Il French YES.
sels'
Yes; La Bourgogne, from New-good
heavens Charette, whatever is the matterf
You arr Ill again. Shall ring for
"No, mol" she gasped, lying back upon
her pillows, almost rs white as they. Il
am better. just A--little-dizziness, dear.
What werc you sayingf"
ooh, about La Bourgogno About 200
saved. SEQ 1t gives . list Of tho sur
vivors but
hRead than 0loRae -
Az his deep voice sounded through the
little room in the fulfillment OF its monot
onous task she lay with her fHce turned
from him, her teeth tightly clinchcd and
the hand holding the letter pressed hard
upon Ler bosom to still the inner tumult,
Oh, the suspense Of those few moments
At last the ordeal was finished, and for
an instant she lay still, trying to realize,
till her husbands voice recalled the scat
tered thoughts.
$50 there's no one we know, you sec,
love-"
NO. no one we know" she whispered
softly.
But the cloud was not entirely dispclled
until later in the day, when full list Of
the victims was also published ii list that
contained q name which had once been
hers. London Telegraph.
Settled the Surgeon.
The surgeon Of military station dur