The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1900-07-13

rifice?"
Before replying, the count looked at
tentively at the group before him; at
the philosophers impenetrable coun-
tenance; at the chevalier's quizzical
and wrinkled brown physiognomy;
then at Nine. de Remur's handsome
face, and, lastly and most tenderly,
at the dropping eyelids of the delicate
Mile. de Belloeil
"She would be twice revered," re-
piled de Blois.
Mile. de Belloeil's needle stopped in
its click-click.
"Why SO, NJ. lie Comte?" inquired
the philosopher. eff she has double
motive for the sacrifice, should not
the honor of it be only half as great?'
"She should receive credit for her
loyalty to the husband whom she had
sworn to obey, and homage for her
devotion to the lover on whom by
nature she has placed her affections"
replied the count, bowling to Nine. de
Remur, while he noted with certain
satisfaction the smile of approval on
the lips of Mile. de Belloeil.
"And no one has said that she has a
lover" declared Nine. de Remur,
warmly.
did you not imply as much, dear
madame?" asked the old chevalier,
slyly.
81 intimated that she might have
had one-if-let us change the subject.
move that the poet read us his latest
verses. l am dying for some amuse-
ment."
Ladies and gentlemen" cried the
old chevalier, clapping his hands to-
gether to attract the attention of all
those in the room, this brilliant
young author and poet, who needs no
introduction to you, has consented to
read his latest production. Will you
kindly take places?"
There was some polite applause.
"The poem! let us hear the poem"
buzzed upon all sides, and the throng
began to settle down around the poet,
the ladies occupying the chairs and
the gentlemen either leaning against
the walls or seated upon stools by the
side of those ladies in whose eyes they
found particular favor.
In a few moments hush of expect
ancy fell upon an audience delighted
at the prospect of being entertained.
This is play in verse" began the
poet. taking a roll of manuscript from
his pocket.
"A play! How charming" said Mile.
de Belloeil.
ut is in three acts" continued the
author. "Act first, in the prison of
the Luxembourg, where the young peo-
pile first meet and fall deeply in love-"
A rustic of approval ran through his
audience.
"Act second is in the prison yard,
where they are separated, she being set
at liberty and he conducted to the
guillotine."
"Oh. how terrible!" murmured the
young damsel.
Zone moment, monsieur lie poete,"
said Nine. de Remur. How does it
end? / warn you that l shall not like
your play if it ends unhappily."
you shall judge of that in moment,
madam" replied the poet, bowling to
her graciously.
in the third act" he continued, "the
lovers are brought together under the
shadow of the guillotine, whittier she
has followed him. The knife falls upon
both of them in quick succession, and
their souls are united in the next
world, never to be separated more"
what a beautiful ending" cried
Mile. de Belloeil, and the exclamation
on the part of the audience showed
that her sentiment was echoed gen
orally.
Continue" said Mime. de Remur. 81
was afraid it was going to end unhap-
PLY"
The chevalier took a pinch of snuff
and settled himself back in the arm
chair which was accorded to him as
tribute to his advanced age; and the
poet unfolded his manuscript and be-
gan to read.
1t was an intensely appreciative au
dience that listened to the dramatic
work of the poet. They followed with
breathless interest the meeting of the
young lovers in the hall of the Luxem-
bourg, assisted smilingly at their rem
devious in the corridors and shadowy
corners of the old prison; and sighed
gently during the most tender pas
sages. At the scene of separation,
tears of regret flowed freely, and in
the meeting in the last act, tears of
joy and sorrow mingled together in
sympathetic unison.
AS the young poet ended he folded