Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-03-07

wall, but Nj. fVerduret did not touch it.
lie tapped with the ends Of his fingers
il peculiar way, and the door in
stantly opened as if some one had been
watching for his signal on the other
side-a woman Of about forty. She
quietly ushered NJ. Verduret and Pros
per into neat dining room with sever
al doors opening into it.
|'Well?" he said by look.
She bowed affirmatively.
EYES,"
I'm there" asked M. Verduret in a
low tone, pointing to one of the doors.
NO." said the woman in the same
tone; cover there in the little parlor."
M. Verduret opened the door pointed
out and pushed Prosper into the little
parlor, whispering as he did so:
"Go in and keep steady"
But this injunction was useless. The
instant he cast his eyes around the
room into which he had been pushed
without any warning Prosper exclaim-
ed:
"Madeleine!"
It YVES indeed NJ. Fauvel's niece, look
ing more beautiful that ever Stand
Ing in the middle Of the room near a
table covered with silks and satins,
she was arranging skirt of red velvet
embroidered in gold-the dress she was
to wear as maid Of honor to Cath
crime de- Medici. At sight Of Prosper
the blood rushed to her face, and her
beautiful eyes half closed, as If she
were about to faint. She supported
herself by the table to keep from fall
Ing. Her weakness lasted but a mo-
ment, and the soft expression of her
eyes changed to one of naughty re-
sentiment. In an offended tone she
said:
''What has induced you to be watch
ing my movements? Who gave you
permission to follow me, to enter this
house?"
Prosper would have given worlds to-
explain what had just happened. but
he was powerless and could only re-
main silent.
"You promised me upon your honor"
continued Madeleine, ''that you would
never again seek my presence. Is this
the way you keep your word?''
81 did promise, butt
He stopped.
ooh. speak,
$50 many things have happened
since that terrible day that l think
am excusable in forgetting for one
hour an oath torn from me in mo-
ment Of blind weakness. It is to
chance-at least to another will than
my own-that I am indebted for the
happiness of once more finding myself
near you. Alas, the instant I saw you
my heart bounded with Joy. did not
think-no, could not think-that you
would prove more pitiless than stran-
gers have been; that you would cast
me of when 1 am so miserable and
heartbroken.'
Had not Prosper been so agitated he
could have read in the eyes Of Made
lefne-those beautiful eyes which had
SO long been the arbiters Of his destiny
the signs of great inward struggle.
1t was, however, in firm voice that
she replied:
"You know me we'll enough, Prosper,
to be sure that no blow can strike you
without reaching me at the same time.
You suffer, suffer with you"
"You drove me away" said Prosper,
':and to obey you told every one that
I had left you voluntarily. You told
me that an invincible obstacle had
arisen between us, and believed you,
tool that was! The obstacle was
your own heart"
AS white and motionless as statue,
Madeleine stood with bowed head be.
fore the storm of passionate reproach.
Il told you to forget me-"
"Forget" exclaimed Prosper excited
~. "Forget! How can I forget? Is
it in my power to stop by an effort of
will the circulation of my blood? All,
you have never loved! To forget, as to
stop the beatings of the heart, there is
but one means-death!'
"Good heavens, this suffering is oe-
yond endurance! Prosper, if you only
knew
II know but one thing, Madeleine,
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 a depressed sob.
It was Madeleine's maid, who, seated
in 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 uneonsciously
Madeleine had put on her wraps, which
were lying on the sofa. When she was
ready, she approached Prosper.
"Why did you come hereY' she said.
Eve both have need Of all the courage
we can command. You are unhappy,
Prosper. am more unhappy. You have
II right to complain. have not the right
to shed a tear. While my heart is
slowly breaking must wear a smiling
face. You can seek consolation in the
bosom of a friend. I can have no con-