Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-12

dry and hot. The feeling that over
whelmed me was inexpressible. 1t was
strange mingling of bitterness and
pleasure that my loved one should be
weak to such n degree. / forced myself
to have n sort of disdainful pity. and in
reality love heat ardent, strong, stern, in
my breast. ! understood in u flash how
beauty could become divine above base
ness of soul, how one could respect II
even in dishonor, and hundred other
things in which were confused fervent
love- devotion without limit, desire no
Bile and perverse.
Jeanne had thanked me with a hardly
perceptible movement of the lips; she
stood by the wall with an air of indiffer-
ence and pride.
They are very long about it," she
said suddenly. IN. de la Hestre is o
man of method" some one replied, and o
silence followed which told more aud
more on ones nerves, for even the wait
ing in peaceful frame of mind finishes
by disturbing and emptying the brain like
pump. However, the moment arrived
when, the searching of the servants end.
ed, the door opened. disclosing our host
the two witnesses and the old gentleman.
My heart beat furiously. felt my.
self become terribly pale; but, concealing
my agitation and steadying my voice,
asked to be searched first.
| Nj. de la Hestre smiled at what he con.
sidered the whim Of young man and
proceeded methodically to my examina.
tion. blushed, became pale, without
any one finding that peculiar under the
circumstances. 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 equaled by my
calmness in seizing the object and plac.
ing it in n pocket of my cont, after which
leaned against the fireplace, being now
merely witness and above all suspi-
| cion.
| NJ. de la Hestre's search was unpro-
1uctive of results. There remained moth
| ing 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
look of such passionate gratitude that
IL almost seemed to scorch me. Then in
an imperative tone she said:
''Do you still love me?"
did not hesitate. l replied firmly:
"Yes."
In spite of all that have done?"
'ln spite Of everything"
'Will you marry met"
~ will marry you"
She enveloped me with the same look,
still warmer aud moro lingering. fully
comprehend the power of woman above
rll law, human or natural, drawn from
the fountain head and against which
nothing ought to prevail.
felt strangely happy In this equiyocal
adventure and could not throw off this
happiness, for which reproached myself
and of which / was terribly ashamed.
As l was struggling with these con-
tending emotions ordinations were
heard. and saw NJ. de la Hestre reap
pear, holding q little box.
I'VE have the jewels and the guilty
ono" he said very calmly.
had only time to hear this much and
to see the livid face Of the valet-the
guilty one-wben found that Jeanne
was gently urging me out into the ter.
race, where the shadows lay thickly.
There felt my head seized with two
hands, while two pure lips were pressed
to mine as Jeanne murmured:
"The thief adores you!'-Short Sto.