Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-06-13
CHATTER VI.

sound but that Of my footsteps ON the
gravelcd poths. Gradually became
more composed: the surrounding peace.
the soft air, and the echo Of my wife's
words Of comfort had their soothing cf-
feet upon me. "Surely all will be wellw
I thought. Il am tormenting myself
unnecessarily"
Suddenly I heard sound that startled
me; Il was the sound Of woman sob
bling; a form glidcd from the shadows.
and, falling ut my feet. seized my hand,
which became believed with tears.
"Mademoiselle!' ] cried.
For It was, indeed. Mile. Rosalie who
knelt ut my feet and was holding my
hnndsto, her, lips.. So rA.s. prssss
pardon me-" she sobbed: 'oh, pardon
me! We are alone, sir. No one can
see or hear us. All, sir, listen to me!
A you hope for mercy yourself, grant II
to a despairing woman! Az you hope
for peace, bcstOw II upon me-"
II do not understand you," ! said;
and I should have had heart Of stone
In my breast had ! not been touched by
her plaintive voice. II will listen to you
yes; but ! must insist upon your ris-
Ing"
she obeyed: hut she trcmbled 70 ns she
rose from the ground that she was com.
PEELED to cling to me for support.
Snow, mademoiselle." ! said, II will
listen to what you have to say, II you
insist upon IT,"
III you speak 80 harshly," she muir.
INJURED, ~ shall die! ] wish TO implore
your forgiveness, to recover my place In
your esteem. To know that you have
ceased TO respect me, that you think
lightly Of me, Ii more than ! can bear.
Your good opinion. your good word, IL
more precious TO me than life itself. All.
sir! How shall confess Il? have
deceived you"
II know It," ] said.
"You know III" she echoed, softly.
"And yet you have spared ms: Aud yet
you have not driven me from your
housew
"For that, madcmolselle." ] said, you
may thank my wife and daughter. who
have no suspicion that you are not what
you represent yourself to me. You hold
Q place In their hearts which you have
In some strange manner won. They have
invariably spoken well Of you; they have
invariably defended you"
Defended metz she exclaimed, and
strance. "Fr0m what? from whom3 Who
has dared to vilify me, q defenseless
woman. whose misfortunes entitle her to
respectf Not you. sir. not you! do
not tell me that you have done me such
an injusticeg'
EMILE. Rosalie." I said. somewhat con.
founded by the attitude she assumed, II
have learned that concerning you which.
I will not disguise from you, has instill-
ed doubts into my mind; ! have seen
that which, you must yourself admit,
could not but strengthen those doubts"
"You saw me this afternoon" she muir
INJURED, "in lone spot, embracing a
man."
"A man." I added. "who is now work
Ing for me IN mental capacity"
deny II" she exclaimed, with indig'
nation. mo labor Il mental which IL
honest. 1t IL not proof how greatly
You are prejudiced against me when you
eau commit yourself to such statement
You. whom ! venerate as the personif-
cation Of truth and justice? All. sir,
confess that you were wrong"
YES" ! said, abashed by the reproof,
u confess it, was wrong. But neith-
er you nor he can deny that he IL In my
employment under false colors."
II do deny it. for myself and him. He
sought for honest labor. and obtained It..
What else can you bring against him ?
You have not spoken to him, have scarce
~ seen him; and yet you, the most Just
of men, would blast his character. II
10 not for you, living In the lap Of lux
ury. with unlimited wealth at your COM
mand. who have but to wish to have
It 10 not for you to know to what hard
straits necessity drives Q man. 1t 10 not
possible that you should ever he driven,
AZ he and have been 0riven, to seek,
IN q lonely lot and among strangers, for
the simple necessaries Of life. 1t Il not
possible that you should ever feel the
worlds cruel injustice 40 We have felt It;
that you should have to bear the anguish
aud the sting Of unmerited misfortune;
that The nnser Of shame and reproach
should b pointed O. you-a man un.
stained b. ssims " diaAouosi You stand