The Van Buren press., 1903-12-19
he! How funny! But 10 r..r--

ligence and a heart that is abso, nas.
free. You are a bachelor, Won h',
to the same circle in society th.,I0
your fortune is equal to If not 80
than my own, and you are good ,oo,ss
enough to win the heart of anv wo A9
"You have a pretty wit and
proachable manners. In a word M.
would seem to be a great deal ., 'uea
priety in marriage which Won sni ~
to wish so eagerly. But there ren rp'
the question of the heart.
Il can fairly hear him saw.
my heart, madame, the hear, a..
I have humbly laid at your feet w.. aa
pure as that OF child" "S
She stops suddenly and runs ~ -
door at the back.
"Ah! Merciful goodness! thou,,,
I heard some one moving in the r s.'
room. Some one-it is M. de Ludr.
am sure it is. He has bribed Je,,
go away so that he may be alone v,S
me. All! II he were a gentlsmsr ~
would never do that. CLOSING the d,..
she locks it rapidly
There, that is an insult that -.
brought upon yourself, sir! He sph..
he bewails his sad fate. If only vor,,
be kind. Well, my friend. will r.s
your letter: l will read It immediats,S
Only, in your turn be prudent, b. n,
tent, Go away, | beseech you 7 Win
talk with you later, this evening :,
will, | promise you.
Il don't hear anything more. ~.
opens the door and looks through M
one there-no one-he has gone ma
he come at all, | wonder. or was Il ne,a
ly the autumn wind blowing tbropgh
the hall?
What an afternoon! My nerves A..
all gone to pieces, II NJ. de Ludre wa,ny
there, II he really didn't come at all
have suspected him wrongful bav.
slandered him. In reparation, ousb,
TO read his letter; besides, he will M.
have written anything that he has no,
already told me. (She picks up let,e,
from the table and starts to open Il The,
catches sight Of the other lying besids
it,
Il mustn't make a mistake and TAX.
the one that isn't meant for me. Blu,
how can tell which is which? They
are both the same shape, the same sI,s
and both are without an address. On,
Of them belongs to me, and have every
right to read It; but which is It?
Il can't make out any writir,
through the envelopes. What shall
do? Truly my sense OF honor is likely
to have a terrible trial. The letter ths.
didn't care a straw about reading two
minutes ago, am now all on fire to see.
"Ah! have an idea; | will put both
letters back and draw but one. The first
touch will be mine, If there Is a prov.
idence in chances"
She drops both letters into the hat
takes out one, and after moments
pause tears open the envelope and Do.
cides TO read Il.
IT is centuries since | have written
you
"Ah! that is not meant for me, an
sure. However, am not sorry for my
mistake. Let us see my letter, now
(She opens the second letter. Nine
la Baronne, permit me to ask the helT
Of your ever ready charity and to solicit
your kindness Why, what is this
II is letter from Jean, my farmer; hi
wife is sick, the medicines are very eI
pensiye, etc, and there Is nothing els'
in the envelope,
1T was true, then; II really was a lev
ter from a miserable looking fellow An
| thought hoped. Come, VIII no
think Of It, Who knows, though, bu
what | have thrown away my happl
ness"
She picks up the other letter, mechaa
icaly, and reads, beginning:
at Is centuries since | have wrtte
you, dear lady
Dear lady! | did well to read ~
had no right to do such thing Butha
he any right to console himself so quick
ly for losing me. Him! He is an odlou
, brute, and II was an Inspiration 'roi
Heaven that led me to refuse his hah'
LET us see in what style he wrltes'
another the same things that he said
me only yesterday: II is centurl'
since ! wrote TO you, dear friend, ana
hasten to ask your forgiveness, To-mo'
row leave for Paris, where | shall 81
you In the evening
AT any rate, he doesn't waste an
time beating about the bush.
:" I am very unhappy and need YOU
consolation
Listen to that, will you!
You know the great love ! feel 10
Nine de Varjolis You know, @S
that It has been my greatest hope 10Y
year to unite my life to that OF tn'
beautiful, good woman, 80 worthy 70
the happiness and delight OF an hou
orable man, klas' yesterday she ~
fused me In terms that | could not NIL
take, and ! shall leave immediately
(ToucheG) But don't want HIM toeo
II my beloved mother were su
alive, should so to her, This iswnl
am coming to you, dear madame, wa
are her oldest and dearest friend !
you alone can tell OF my unhapplheS
Your devoted and afflicted
Rene dc Ludrc'
deeply touched) "Iut he needh "
10 far to tell HIS unhnpplness' WI
doesn't he come TO me, and we VIII man
up, Poor boy, my willfulness has NAV
him sufrerl How many wrongs ! nav
10 repairl But | viii make them up
Will, indeed, with all my heart. Here
postscript