The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1901-07-19

my gratitude"
"Then show your gratitude by fol.
lowing my advice" answered the mar.
quise, smiling.
IL will try. madame" and, taking her
cloak and hat, jeanette quietly left the
room. r
As the door closed behind her the
mcditatively, with one arm leaning on
the mantelshclf. The loose ruflcs Of
her short sleeve falling back, revealed
the round, white arm. on the taper
fingers Jewels flashed In the freight.
She was an a~rlstocratic looking WON
an, adorcd by her friends and relatives,
though Partisan society deemed her n
shade too serious to accord her the pop
ularity which her rank and wealth
might otherwise have given her, but
her wit and appreciation of talent filed
her salons with artists, savnnts and
men of letters. A certain simplicity of
manner had kept her free from the
stilted antcctations OF the period, and
Der innate dignity gave littlc cncour-
agemcnt TO the ordinary scandalous
gossip around her. At IL. to please her
father, she had married an old courticr,
who died before she was 20. Nearly
ten years had elapsed since then. and
she was still n widow, though suitors
for her hand had not been lacking,
among whom none was 80 devoted rs
the Comte de Vanguard. No rebuff
could daunt his ardor. He had propos-
ed and been refused, yet persisted in
his suit. She was touched by his peril
nacity and had grown to depend upon
his continuous attentions.
AS jeanette left her, after a passing
regret that her little maid should al
ready have had a taste Of the bitter
sweet fruit of the tree of life, she dis.
missed the subject from her mind.
Vanguard had returned to Paris, and
she would ask him who the blue eyed
roue could be who had made love to
jeanette while she took ARE of the
duchess children, for he knew the
Saverins and had visited st. Rene.
With this reflection the m%arquise
glanced at the clock. Eyes, in n few
minutes Leon will be here" Her eyes
grew tender, and she sighed as she took
up q book and rescated herself on the
stiff backed little sofa. But the book
remained unread. 1t rested lightly In
her lap while she glanced around the
salon. Yes, the red and gold vase was
filled with fresh flowers, and the wax
candles shed a soft light from their
brackets on the wall. The spinct stood
open, with songs. on the music rack.
Between rare Turkish u & the polish
ed parquet gllnted. The bric-a-brac
and pictures showed the taste of an
artist. .GG'&E,>% e.. 1n&,.s.yn -r"
The marQuisc cast a satisfied glance
around. All was in readiness for the
expected guest, but was she? How
much easier to say Yes to a man one
likes than constantly to refuse him."
she thought. And why do l hesitate?
What is it l fear? Is not Leon all q
woman could desire, and he loves me,
says? Is his heart absolutely mine?
All, who knows? If | married him and
found him false, l dare not think what
would be the end. To be deceived, and
by the nan | trust. No! We both
could not breathe the same air after
that! Does not he ask for all I have to
give, and shall not l then have all he
has to give? Love for love, truth for
truth, faith for faith-or nothing!"
en-. lie Comte de Vaugirard," an
nounced Pierre as a handsome man
somewhat over 80 years of age enter
ed. He was dressed in dark maroon
velvet, with pale yellow satin waist
coat. Fine old lace fell over his wrists,
and in his jabot, on his fingers, sword
hilt and shoe buckles diamonds spar
killed.. His three cornered hat he press
ed close to his breast as he bowed low.
MY fair marquise, / am. as ever,
your slave"
"Let me set you free then"
But ] love my chains. To others /
may vaunt my pride, but at your feet
l am all humility"
She made no reply, but her eyes look
ed at him with affection. Vanguard
knelt before her, and, taking one of
her hands, he kissed 1t fervently. "Am
l to kneel forever In vainT' he pleaded.
Rise, NJ. lie Comte," she said hastily.
you are not an actor to play q pas
sionate role"
"And yet my passion, alas, is but too
real! love you, and you alone"
"For how long?"
Until %eternityT"
'1f ! married you" said the mar
quise sadly, land you proved unfaith-
full 1t would break my heart
you break mine with these doubts"
She held out her hand to him. "Then
] will try to Danish them"
"Oh, my love! May ! hopeT
Wait, Leon, until tomorrow"
"Then?"
"And then | will listen to you. Now
be seated again, like an ordinary NOR
tai. Come, you must have n glass Of
your words are as wine to me-" said
the count gayly. His face flushed with
pleasure. The goal seemed near. The
prize he had for years sought so eager
~ was within his grasp.
How did you spend this m%ornipg?'
asked the marquise as she pulled the