Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-05-25

young in years, and a lieutenant,
scarcely more than boy, but with q
bright, frank, handsome face, made
up the party.
A close observer would have noted
that certain feverish excitement,
unusual to her, marked Madame Flor
ence's manner.
She raised her glass, oftener than
was her wont, to her lips; her laugh
rang out more contagiously, more mer-
r'ly; one spot Of crimson stained the
usual marble wilderness Of her cheek.
All about her We'd in rendering her
homage, but though her glance en-
ccuraged, her lips were mute, save in
utterance Of gay retOrt or sparkling
repartee.
Only one seemed not to share in the
general mirth-one who was silent
save when courtesy dictated speech.
yet he it was who was the youngest
among the guests, scarce outnumber-
ing in years the lovely hostess, on
whom still rested the mantle of her
girlhood.
Now and then his eyes met hers. and
in their depth was a strange, pathetic
passion, mingled almost with re-
proach.
"By-the-way," she said, as they DIAL
lied over their dessert, II take such
rare heed Of time that am scarcely
cognizant Of the date Can any of you
enlighten me?'
1T is the twenty-frst," replied the
prince; 'but it is only fair, madame,
that you should be forgetful Of Time,
since, certainly, he wholly oblivious to
you"
Thanks, prince" she replied, light
ly. But wait until the wrinkles come,
and 1 fear your gallantry may not
quite so readily plead old Times ex-
cuscs. However, he minds either
your compliments or approval so little
as he marches steadily on. The TWEEN
ty-tirst: Strange! 1 was recalling to-
day that singular tragedy which took
place in Paris a year ago. I fancied IL
about a year. but, by a remarkable CO.
incidence, this is it's exact anniver-
sary.'
"a tragedy in PARISH echoed the
countess. But they are Of such COM
mon occurrence, and so often are more
comic than tragic. Pray ma chere, to
what particular one do you refer?'
ITO the shooting of Mons. Louis
Gervase, on his wedding day. Have
they ever discovered who murdered
him, and why?"
Murdered him, my dear? Unhap-
PLY, it fell short of murder. The man
is not dead!"
Not deadr interrupted Madame
Florence; and the crimson spot faded
from her cheek. "Sure1y the shot
killed him?"
"No. 1 remember the circumstance
well,' pursued the countess, delighted
to be set upon a theme for gossip, of
which she always kept on hand an
abundant supply. 81 was in Paris but
Il few weeks after it's occurrence. 1t
was a terrible affair." and tragedy in
deed. He was so wonderfully hand
Some-poor mainland so charming, so
fascinating. 1t seems that young
girl who had fallen in love With him,
and had pursued him to Paris, heard
of his contemplated marriage With a
beautiful. rich and titled woman, and
in her desperate jealousy. concealed
herself i'll the church and fired the IA
tai shot. l say fatal, for 1 am quite
sure that Louis Gervase would rather
have lost his life than that beauty
which had taken SO many hearts by
storm, and that has gone forever-poo1
man! He is terribly disfgured."
"Retribution!' murmured Madame
Florence from between her half-cloSe0
lips.
I'm the excitement that followed the
shot she escaped. For weeks the life
of her intended victim hung by
thread; but when he grew strong
enough to give information, he gener-
ously declined to do so.'
"1ou say she pursued him to Par
isl" said Madame Florence, and her
voice ha6 a very strange, hard sound.
81 did not hear the story so. 1 heard
he fell madly in love with her, and
took advantage of her youth and inno-
cencc to entrap her, by a false mar
riage. into leaving her country and her
home. But she was child, and he
man of the world, and after a time he
tired Of her. The Countess d'Aubigny
smiled upon him. and her smile meant
fitting contamination to his ambition.
What mattered it that this child's
heart lay in the way? She heard Of
bis devotion to the countess, and grew
jealous. When she reproached him he
laughed at her. At length, maddened
into action, she confronted them to-
gether. 1t forced from him an ac-
acknowledgement OF his yillainy. He told
her that she had no right even to the
name that he had given her-no right,
alas! even to the honest name he han
flched from her. He neither withheld
Eor softened the blow. Full on her
quivering flesh it fell, and he but
smiled as she writhed beneath it's tor
ture. Then followed news Of his con,
templated marriage, which alone was
wanting to set the seal upon his viii
lainy. So it was she whom they sus-
pect Of having thus taken her revenge
she, whom he had crowned with sor-
rows crown Of sorrow and maddened
into a righteous vengeance But tell
me. has he married the countess,
then!'
You are eloquent, madame" whis-
pered the prince. "Would you thus
deal with one who had wronged you:
But. ah! you who have at your feet a
world of avengers. can find nothing
worthy of revenger'
She turned upon him, with q daz-
zling smile, as she whispered:
Il am but woman. and a woman's