The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-11-06


was in the habit of rising without
disturbing her, dressing. and then tak-
ing a ride on horseback But he al
ways returned IN breakfast. which was
served punctually at II o'clock in the
forenoon. When, therefore. Il came to
he nearly noon, and he did not make
his appearance, she was naturally TIN
easy His horse was very spirited and
might possibly have thrown him, she
thought But on inquiry, IL appeared
that the animal was in his stall. and
that NJ. de Granthier had left the house
on foot.
Nine. de Granthier ordered the
breakfast things removed after max
ing a slight repast and then took NJ
a book to while away the time until
her husbands return. At I o'clock u
visitor was unounced-Capt. Paul
lleauregard, an officer in the French
Guards. He was an intimate friend of
DE Grantier as well as of the lady.
ana scarcely a day passed without
their seeing him.
My husband. Have you seen any
thing of him?" she asked
81 have been with him all the morn
ing. madame
where is he? why did he not re-
turn with you? How has he been en-
gaged?"
Capt. Beauregard replied to the last
question:
'ln an affair of honor madame"
"a duel?'
Yes: and he has been wounded.
thought II best to prepare you for the
accident"
lie is dead" shrieked the unhappy
lady. as she fell back in convulsions.
for she had read the truth in the cap
tain's face.
BeaureBard rang the bell and left
her in charge of her maid. while he
went into another room. II was agony
bitter as the pangs of death to listen
to her walls and sobs and ehrieiis; but
in an hour Florette, the waiting maid.
pale, frightened. with swollen eyes,
for she. too. had been weeping bitter
ly. came to say that Madame de Gran
tier was calmcr and desired to speak
with the captain.
The officer found the lady white as
marble, but strangely quiet and col
lccted.
Hector is dead?' she half asked,
half asserted.
Her friend drooped his eyes. The
onswer was sufficient
Now tell me how this happened.
said the lady. Hector was kind and
Gentle and courteous. He had no enc
my-how could he have. for he never
wronged human being"
THAT did not prevent his having an
enemy--a mortal foe-who last night
publicly insulted him and thus forced
a challenge from Your husband"
GAY, honor compelled Hector TO draw
the sword But the name of that viii
lain-the murderer?'
"Raoul Maltravers."
"fIe, the man whose hand rejected?
Oh. my poor, dear murdered Hector
Why did we ever meet? Fatal was the
hour in which You saw and loved me-
Often have your lips told me that
had mado you the happlest of men.
Little did YOU dream that would give
you death as well as love"
II implore you. madam" said the
captain not to view this tragedy III
that light An unforeseen calamity
has fallen on you. and my heart bleeds
at sight of your distress. But I can
do more than pity; | can and will
avenge Hector. Raoul Maltravcrs dies
by my hand"
Hold" cried tho widow, with sud
den and startling energy. Il forbid
you to esrouse this quarrel. | have
my own purpose of vengeance. and no
man, not even you. shall be permitted
| to stand between me and my predcs
| tined victim. He has robbed me of
more than life. but | will rcquite him
| was. Il fond, weak gentle loving.
happy girl. They who know me hence
forth will know me as a tig!ess thirst
ing for human blood But no word of
| this to others. Be my friend in this
extremity. as you We're his true and
| loval friend to the last moment and
conduct the funeral rites. You see how
|
| words without commissions"
When Nictorinc was alone with her
dead size had wild outburst of pas
sionate grief. but it rapidly gave place
TO calmness so stern that it would
have appalled, an observer had there
| heen witnesses in the chamber of
| death.
Hector de Grantier." she said, ad-
dressing the cold clay. ''if my Creator
spares my life, your son, whom your
eyes were never to behold. shall be
your avenger. ! will rear him strong
valiant, skilllul, and teach him to look
for no happiness, no rest, no employ
ment, until he has slain the man who
has robbed you of life. me OF hus-
band and himself of a father"
Two. months after the funeral the
friends of the family were apprised
that the widow lady was the mother oi
| a-dauohter Shortly after this event