Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-03-19


disturbing her, dressing, and then tax
ing a ride on horseback But he al
ways returned to breakfast, which was
served punctually at II o'clock in the
forenoon. When, therefore, it came to
be nearly noon, and he did not make
his appearance, she was naturally un-
easy His horse was very spirited and
might possibly have thrown him, she
thought But, on inquiry, it appeared
| that the animal was in his stall, and
| that M. de Granthier had left the house
on foot
Nine. de Granthier ordered the
breakfast things removed, after max
| ing slight repast and then took UP
| book to while away the time until
| her husbands return. At 1 O'Clock IL
| visitor was announced-Capt. Paul
Beauregard, an officer in the French
| Guards. He was an intimate friend of
De Grantier as we'll as of the lady.
and 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-
| gagcd?"
Capt Beauregard replied to the last
question;
In an affair of honor, madame"
"a duel?"
l ha hoap yIynnnInI 7
| thought it best to prepare you for the
| accident"
"He is dead" shrieked the unhappy
| lady, as she fell back in convulsions,
for she had read the truth in the cap
| tain's face.
| Beauregard rang the bell and left
| her in charge of her maid, while he
went into another room. 1t was agony
| bitter as the pangs of death to listen
| to her walls and sobs and shriells; 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 calmer and desired to speak
with the captain.
| he OlllJGI IOuIld Ilit liuy WllllC
marble, but strangely quiet and col
lected.
| Hector is dead?" she half asked,
half asserted.
Her friend dropped his eyes. The
| answer was sufficient.
Now tell me how this happened
| said the lady. Hector was kind and
| gentle and courteous. He had no enc
ny-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
challenge from your husband"
"Ay, honor compelled Hector to draw
the sword. But the name of that vii
lain-the murderer?"
| "Raoul Maltravers."
| "EIe, the man whose hand I 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 made you the happiest of men.
Little did you dream that l would giva
| you deatn as we'll as love.
Il 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 l can
do more than pity; l can and will
avenge Hector. Raoul Maltravers dies
by my hand"
"Holdl" cried the widow, with sud-
den and startling energy. Il forbid
you to espouse this quarrel. | have
my own purpose of vengeance, and no
man, not even you, shall be permitted
to stand between me and my predes-
tined victim. He has robbed me OF
more than life, but l will requite him
was a fond, weak gentle, loving
happy girl. They who know me hence
forth will know me as a tigIess thirst
ing for human blood. But no word Of
this to others. Be my friend in this
extremity, as you were his true anc
loyal friend to the last moment ant
conduct the funeral rites. You see how
calm | am when l can speak these
words without convulsions."
When Victorine was alono with hel
dead she had wild outburst of pas
sionate grief, but it rapidly gave place
to a calmness so stern that it wouIt
have appalled, an observer had there
been witnesses in the chamber o
death.
Hector de Grantier," she said, ad
dressing the cold clay, 'if my Create
spares my life, your son, whom you
eyes were never to behold, shall b.
your ayenger. | will rear him strong
valiant, sllillful, and teach him to lool
for no happiness. no rest, no employ
ment, until he has slain the man VIII
has robbed you of life, me of a hus
band and himself of father"
Two months after the funeral tn
friends of the family were apprise'
that the widow lady was the mother o
a-daughter. Shortly after this even
she retired with her infant child to al
t,fo in, Dritt