Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-05-18

The Countess d'Aubigny had re-
turned to Paris now. and by day. by
night, he was seen in her train-by day
by night, eXerting the old fascination,
with the namclesS grace and charm of
manner enhanced. not lessened-throw-
ing into his handsome eyes the same
old eloquence of a language more po-
tent than any spoken tongue, smiling
ald winning smiles in return. while his
child-wife lay dying from the heart
blow his hand had struck.
-Four weeks, which to one watcher,
at least, appeared endless!
Gray threads glistened here and
there in Harry Arkwright's brown hair.
as they drew their slow length along.
and all of the happy laughter had died
out of his once laughter-l loving eyes.
But Florence seemed to cling to life,
as though its roses not its thorns. were
hers, and. so singing, she turned to-
ward herself the tide ofvictory.
Once. when consciousness had fully
returned. she asked how she had
reached home, and Arkwrght. taking
the small, white hand in his. made his
confession.
Something like moisture glstencd in
the violet eyes when he had finished,
and her sole reply WAS to lift the hand
up which lay her own to her lips.
The action thrilled the mans soul.
But it was the only sign of softneSS
Florence Gervasc gayc--the only allu-
sion to the past she ever made.
She sometimes thought that in very
truth. She had died and been born
again. so different did she appear from
the gentle, loving girl who had stolen
his heart more than two years before.
Two months had passed before the
kindly doctors resigned their charge.
and Florence was able TO face Il stern
or battle than that which they had
| fought for hcr--thc battle not for, but
of life.
Poor child! Unprotected. unshiel,led
even by her husbands name. beautiful
and but nineteen. who should guard
her from the pitfalls into Which her
feet must slip. One arm. at least, was
ready.
Sitting beside her. che evening" With
the lamp burning but dimly. and only
the Eight from the blazing logs reflect
ed on her face. Harry -Arkwright broke
the silence so long imposed upon him.
self
Il must speak. F'lcrcncc,' he said.
and her name fell easily and naturally
from his lips. ."Somr action must be
taken to relieve YOU from the position
in which that bastard has placed YOU
! Ii lie has deceived and duped you. even
in France. there must be some AIDE
quate punishment for such & crime If
You are his WIFE, spite Of his protcSta-
tions TO the contrary. he must be com
| PEELED to acknowledge you as such.
have waited for your authority to put
| the matter into the hands of the Eng
liSh consul and ask him to see justice
done you. But. Florence. l have been
mad enough to hope it indeed was true
that no tie not already severed exist
ed between YOU. that l might offer YOU
that which he had taken from yoll-
| home. protection. love and an honest
| name.'
| Warningly, Florence extended her
| hand.
Hush she said Not that You
| are mad to speak, and would be mad
| to listen In the sight of God. | am
Louis Gervases wife Then God. not
man. shall right me. OF what good
would be an application to the consul?
could not establish his fraud. l tell
YOU 1 blindly signed the papers lie
handed me. They absolve him. mas
much as they make me party to his
crime. Oh. he worked skllfully-as
skiilfully as though he already foresaw
that he should weary of the child
whose love made her such an easy vic
| tim. Then. since the law cannot re-
van@e me, [ must revenge myself. All.
you think it is not Il womans province.
that Of Nemesis. SO would l, too once
!
But what you have. in your generous
madness, spoken, forget, as l sholl soon
forget it. My blood has turned to ice
in my veins. My heart is stone with
in my breast. He has made me an out
cast among women. One day he shall
meet and answer to me for it. Only
for the dawnlns of that day | live. My
love for him was my all. The current
in it's mighty strength. If he has
changed the liquid transparency of its
waters, the responsibility is his. If
! their drink means DEATH not life, it is
he who has mingled the poison in their
depths. If they bear onward to de
/ Struction, rather than safe harboring,
! it is he who has turned their course
AS he has sown, so he must reap: but
no other man must gather the deadly
! harvest of Il wOman's love converted
| into Il wOEan'S hate!'
She spoke with strange concentrated
| fierceness. Her eyes were brilliant but
they looked off and beyond him whom
she addressed. Her whole attitude was
repellant
/ He dared say no more. For the mo-
nent he must accept her decree. leav-
ing it to time and his own unfailing eff
fort to soften her. and perhaps, to let
| her feel her need OF him!
She had spoken truly. Love had made
shipwreck of her life: yet would hpl
ship toss rudderlcss. until once moro
| love made safe anchorage. Perchance
| then she would moor it On his heart.
| CHAPTER VIII