Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-05-25

Dr1gnt, frank, nanuSOne laSe,
up the party.
A close observer would have noted
that n certain feverish excitement
unusual to her, marked Madame flor-
ence's manner.
she raised her glass. oftener h
was her wont, to her lips: her laugh
rang out more contagiously, more mer-
r1y; 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-
couraged, her lips were mute, saw III
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
vet 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
girihood.
Now and then his eyes met hers, ana
in their depth was a strange, pathetic
passion, mingled almost with re-
proach.
.By-the-way,'" she said, as they dal-
lied over their dessert, II take such
rare heed Of time that i am scarcely
cognizant of the date. Can any of you
e~hlighten meF'
1T is the twenty-first." replied the
prince; but it is only fair, madame,
that you should be ~forgetful Of Time,
since, certainly, he wholly oblivious 20
you"
Thanks, prince" she replied, light-
ly. But wait until the wrinkles come.
and l fear your %gallantry may not
quite so readily plead old Times eX-
cuses. However. he minds either
your compliments or approval so little
as he marches steadily on. The TWEEN
y-tirstt Strange. / was recalling to-
day that singular tragedy which took
place in Paris a year ago. | fancied IL
about a year, but, by a remarkable CO.
incidence, this is its exact anniver-
sary."
"A tragedy in Paris" 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 refery
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 dead.' interrupted Madame
Florence; and the crimson spot faded
from her cheek. surely the shot
killed him?"
mo. l 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
a few weeks after its occurrence. 1t
was a terrible affair, and a tragedy in
deed. He was SO wonderfully hand
s0me-poor mainland so charming, so
fascinating. 1t seems that a young
girl who had fallen in love with him.
n had pursued him to Paris, heard
of his contemplated marriage with a
beautiful, rich and titled woman, and
in her desperate jealousy, concealea
herself in the church and fired the IA
tai shot. ! say fatal, for / am quite
sure that Louis Gervase would rather
have lost his life than that beauty
which had taken so many hearts by
P'OA H. ~ ina III EOuC lOIGftI-DOOT
man! He is terribly disfigured."
"Retribution!' murmured Madame
Florence, from between her half-closed
lips.
I'm the excitement that followed the
shot she escaped. For weeks the life
of her intended victim hung by a
thread: but when he grew strong
enough to give information, he gener-
ously declined to do So
You say she pursued him 10 Par
is" said Madame Florence, and her
voice had a very strange, hard sound.
II did not hear the story so. / heard
he fell madly in love with her, and
took advantage OF her youth and inno-
cence to entrap her, by a false a
riage, into leaving her country and her
home. But she was a child. and he n
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
neart 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 villainy. 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 hao
filched from her. He neither withheld
o softened the blow. Full on her
quiyering flesh it fell, and he but
smiled as she writhed beneath its tor.
ture. Then followed news of his con,
templated marriage, which alone was
wanting to set the seal upon his VII
lainy. SO 1t was she whom they sus-
pect of having thus taken her revenge
-she, whom he had crowned with sor.
rows crown Of sorrow and maddenea
into a righteous vengeance! But. tell
me, has he married the countess.
then?'
you are eloquent, madame" whia
pered the prince. would you Thus
deal with one who had wronged you,
But, all you who have at your feet a
world of avengers, can find nothing
worthy of %revenge,.'
She turned upon him, with a day.
zling smile, as she whispered:
II am but a woman. and a womap's
reign is always short"
did he marry the countessyv re-
YliaH tho naxy~ofrar nnl1cu- -