Newport weekly independent., 1903-12-18

the question Of the heart. | T can fairly hear him say: ] My heart madame, the heart that l have humbly laid at your feet, is as pure as that of a child
 She stops suddenly and runs to the door at the back.
 1 "Ah! Merciful goodnesst I thought heard some one moving in the next room. Some one-it is M de Ludre-r am sure 1t is. He has bribed Jean to go away so that he may be alone with me. An! if he were a gentleman he would never do that Closing the door she locks it rapidly)
 | There, that is an insult that you brought upon yourself, sir! He sighs; he bewails his sad fate If only I would be kind. We'll, my friend, will read your letter; I will read it immediately.
 T don't hear anything more. (She opens the door and looks through No one there-no one-he has gone. Did he come at all, 1 wonder, or was it mere ly the autumn wind blowing through the hall?
 What an afternoon! My nerves are E there, if he really didn't come at all, have suspected him wrongly-I have slandered him. In reparation, I ought to read his letter; besides, he will not have written anything that he has not already told me. (She picks up letter | rom the table and starts to open it, then catches sight of the other lying beside l it)
 T mustn't make a mistake and take the one that isn't meant for me- But how can I tell which is which? They are both the same shape, the same size and both are without an address. One of them belongs to me, and have every right to read it; but which is it? | Il can't make out any writing through the envelopes. What shall do? Truly my sense of honor is likely to have terrible trial The letter that didn't care straw about reading two minutes ago, I ana now all on fire to see. "Ah! I have an idea; will put both l letters back and draw but one. The first | touch will be mine, if there is prov- idence in chances
 l She drops both letters into the hat. takes out one, and after a moments pause tears open the envelope and de- | cides to read it.
 It is centuries since I have written you
 "Ah! that is not meant for me, am sure. However, am not sorry for my mistake Let us see my letter, now. l hn~ 1atf la Baronne, permit me to ask the help of your ever ready charity and to solicit your kindness Why, what Is this? It is letter from Jean, my farmer; his wife is sick, the medicines are very ex- l pensive, etc, and there is nothing else in the envelope.
 Tt was true, then; it really was let ter from miserable looking fellow. An! I thought hoped. Come, will not think of it. Who knows, though, but what I have thrown away my happi- ness?"
 | She picks up the other letter, mechan- icaly, and reads, beginning:
 Tt is centuries since I have written you, dear lady
 Dear lady! I did we'll to read 1t! I had no right to do such thing. But has he any right to console himself so quick ly for losing me. Him! He is an odious brute, and it was an inspiration from Heaven that led me to refuse his hand
 Let us see in what style he writes to me only yesterday: It is centuries since wrote to you dear friend, and hasten to ask your forgiveness. To-mor- i row leave for Paris, where I shall see you in the evening"
 ''At any rate, he doesn't waste any time beating about the bush.
 I am very unhappy and need your consolation
 Listen to that, will you!
 You know the great love feel for Mme de Varjolis. You know, also that it has been my greatest hope for year to unite my life to that of this beautiful, good woman, so worthy to be the happiness and delight of an hon. orable man. Alas! yesterday she re- fused me in terms that could not mis- take, and I shall leave immediately (Touched.) But don't want him to go!
 If my beloved mother were still alive, should go to her. This is why am coming to you, dear madame, who are her oldest and dearest friend. To you alone can l tell of my unhappiness. Your devoted and afflicted
 Rene de Ludre'
 Deeply touched) But he needn't go so far to tell his unhappiness. Why doesn't he come to me, and we will make up. Poor boy. my willfulness has made him suffer- How many wrongs have to repair! But I will make them up-I will, indeed, with all my heart. Here is postscript:
 CT cannot send such sad letter without redeeming touch of bright- ness Here is the funny side of my visit here: Would you believe that there is not single drawer in my room that has