Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-05-09
A RECONCILIATION.

about to close the door of his ancient
church when in casting a last look to-
ward the interior of a little lateral
chapel, he thought he could perceive the
! Silhouette of kneeling woman. For a
moment he hesitated. Was this really
a human being? Or were his eyes en-
feebled by the weight of years, the dupes
of an optical illusion?
The black CARRIED form remained inn
movable. absorbed, undoubtedly, in pious
| dcvotions. After the lapse of few
minutes the priest resolved to approach
| the praying woman. The sound of the
| trap-trap of his heavy shoes did not seem
! to pcrturb her in the least.
When he stood quite close, he simply
| said. "Madame!" in voice softened with
infinite pity.
With a quick, nervous movement, as
| If frightened at the sound of the priests
voice, she rose from her knees.
"Ah, pardon mel" she exclaimed. II
did not know YOU were in church."
rs it really you, Madame Dubreuil ~
the priest asked. in bewidered surprise.
Yes she replica. And then. after a
few seconds reflection, she added; Il
must tell you something, that is, all !;
it will relieve me, am sure"
"A confession?''
"No; not exactly! I just wish to tell
you something in private. You will
listen to me, won't YOU"
Let us 90 to my study. This is not
j tho place for q discussion OF private per.
sonal affairs
Wher both had seated themselves in
the little bare walled room, and the sery-
ant had placed the green's shaded lamp on
| the crude pine-wood table, the old priest
asked, in a deliberate tone, "Wef?"
The young woman trembled. 1t seemed
as though she had just reused herself
from a bad dream. Then she com
menced, in a state of some agita ton:
"No, | have done nothing wrong, al
though appearances are against me.
| While | have been somewhat frivolous.
and while / cannot blame my husband
| for acting rs he did. still | do not be-
lieve that | merited the hard, brutal
words with which he Inundated me an
hour ago Oh, how they sting and burn
those words! | shall never, no, never
forget thcm!"
Permit me to ask you to explain
madame. | cannot be of any assistance
to you, if that is what you expect, I'M
less YOU tell me everything; you under
stand, everything
You arc undoubtedly right This
evening, a letter arrived at the castle
1t was from the nephew Of my husband
Jean Rivere, lieutenant of artillery. As
the letter was addressed to me. |
stretched forth my hand to take posses
sion at IT, but was prevented by my
husband. who, with a brusque movement
anticipated me, and read the many fool
ish things which Jean had written
am young, inexperienced and it is only
ut this hour that | recognize that | acted
imprudently. After reading the letter
my husband chased me from the castle. =
is all that you have told me abso
lutely true?' queried the old priest
Il swear it by all that is sacred to me
upon my Womaus honor!' affirmed tn,
young woman.
well, then. let us depart! | mysel
shall! plead your cause before your hus
band"
= \ few minutes later both were ON thei
way to the castle Night had fallen il
the meantime and there were only a few
lights along the road to guide their steps
She walked with unsteady feet, but tn
priest planted his feet firmly. Was h,
not going on noble mission, at the Ell,
OF which he forcsaw the reunion of tw,
human hearts?
Mr.. Duhreuil was retired officer. wei
advanced in years. of sterling, bu
naughty. overhraring character. A few
months ago ne had married Marthe. tn,
Young. beautiful and only daughter o
his hest friend. He had for years beer
her protector, aud it vas more a feelins
of gratitude than of love which induced
her to accept his hand in marriage.
The venerable priest was ushercd int,
the salon in which NJ Dubreuil aWaite,
him. The latter OWNED the cause of tn,
unexpected visit ut once. and determined
to cut II short without unnecessary cerc,
monies. He preferred To attend to tn,
affairs of his menage himself
After having offered II seat TO his Wis.
itor, he began: Il suspect the reason OF
your call Iou have seen my wife. Al.
low me to inform You that all you may
nave to say will not avail in the least
viii have nothing further to do with that
woman"
ut seems to me-" replied NJ. Naudin
the priest, 'that YOU are altogether toe
excited, carried away by your Jealous
rage, which YOU consider justified. Yet
YOU are utterly mistaken. Your jealousy
is unreasonable, G@warrauted. Nine
Dubrruil is suffering and it is your duty
to take her back at once"
Never! Ii You knew the meaning of
such ailronts, or the pang, which they
cauSe. You would not talk to me in the
way you do. As You are priest. YOU
have no adequate conception of what she
has done and of what | suffer"
You really think sos murmured NJ
Naudin. You are wrong And to prove
To- you that know something of Affairs
of this kind. | shall tell on something
of my past life 1t will do ne GOOD. and
1t may teach You something at the same
! time.
1T occurred about forty years ago
At that time | loved life. the world and
its pleasures. Before me | saw a most
brilliant future. To every human being