The Iola register., 1902-04-25


and that is that you no longer love me
and that love your
He was silent. He hoped for an an
swer. None came But suddenly the
silence was broken by repressed sob.
1t was Madelene's maid, who, seated
in a corner, was weeping.
Prosper had been so moved at find
ing Madeleine that he had not noticed
her. He turned in surprise and look
ed at the weeping woman. He was not
mistaken-this neatly dressed waiting
maid was Nina Gypsy.
Slowly and almost unconsciously
Madeleine had put on her wraps, which
were lying on the sofa. When she was
ready, she approached Prosper.
"Why did you come here?" she said.
I'VE both have need of all the courage
we can command. You are unhappy,
Prosper. am more unhappy. You have
right to complain. have not the right
to shed a tear. While my heart is
slowly breaking I must wear a smiling
face. You can seek consolation in the
bosom of friend. can have no con-
fidant but God"
Prosper tried to make reply, but
his pale lips refused to articulate. He
was sitting.
II wish to tell you" continued Made
leine. that have forgotten nothing.
But, oh, let not this knowledge give
you any hope. There is no hope for
u.s. But if you love me you will live.
You will not add to my already heavy
burden of sorrow the agony of mourn
ing your death. The day may come
when l can Justify myself in your
eyes. And now adieu, adieur
She kissed his forehead and rushed
from the room, followed by Nina Clip
sy.
Prosper was alone. He seemed to be
awaking from a troubled dream. He
tried to think over what had just hap
pened and asked himself if he were
losing his mind. When NJ. Verduret
entered the little parlor, he strobe to-
ward him and in a harsh, threatening
voice said to him:
"Who are your
The fat man did not show any sur
prise at this burst Of anger, but quiet
ly answered:
"a friend of your father. Did you
not know it?"
This Is no answer, monsieur. l
have surrendered my will to stran-
ger, and now
"Do you want my biography-what l
have been, what am and what may
be2 What difference does it make 10
you? told you that | would save
you. II is essential that l save you"
Madeleine has ceased TO love me,
and of what Importance is anything
elsep
TIis heartbroken tone aroused NJ
Verdurets sympathy, and he said in
kind soothing voice:
'Then you suspect nothing? You did
not fathom the meaning of what she
said?"
you were listening" cried Prosper
Gercely.
81 was. 1t was presumptuous
thing to do, perhaps, but the end
justified the means. | am glad | did
listen, because it has enabled me tc
say to you: Take courage, Prosper
Mile. Madeleine loves you; she has
never CeuSeu 10 lONe you.
"She loves me, she is free. and YET
she shuns me-"
"She Is not free. In breaking Off hei
engagement with you she was govern
ed by some powerful. irrepressible mo
tive. She is sacrificing herself-foI
whom? We shall soon know, and the
secret of her self sacrifice will dis
cover to us the secret of the plot OF
which you are the victim"
AS NJ. Verduret spoke Prosper fell
all his resolutions of revolt slowly
melting away and their place taken by
confidence and hope.
'If what you say were trueW ht
mournfully said.
"Why do you persist in obstinately
shutting your eyes to the proof place
before you? Can you not see thai
Mile. Madeleine knows who the thiei
isY
"Impossiblep
, "She does, but no human power car
/ tear the secret from her. She sacri
. fees you. But, then, she almost hal
, the right, since she first sacrificed her
self"
Prosper was convinced, and it nearly
! broke his heart to leave this little par
lor where he had seen Madeleine.
"Alas," he said, pressing NJ. Verdu
rets hand, you must think me fool
But you don't know how suffer"
, For a moment Prosper was silent
then he said:
Il have finally decided. My honor II
7 n sacred trust for which | must ac
. count to my family. | am ready t.
follow you to the end of the world
Dispose of me as you judge proper"
=, That same day Prosper faithful II