The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-06-17

The chevalier did not formally present
me. Agnes dropped her head somewhat,
and never raised her eyes at my entrance.
1t was a most awkward situation. AS
to what de la Mora contemplated l could
not venture the widest guess: certainly
no violence In the presence of this other
lady who looked SO cool while yet so pale.
Captain de Mouret, as you hope for
your souls salvation, 1 c%onjure YOU to
tell me the whole truth. i do solemnly
promise you upon a soldiers honor. at
the very worst which may come, l will
only leave this colony, and will not injure
any one"
1 had seen de la Mora on many a field.
but never did he look stronger or nobler
thar on hat night. His voice sounded
full and clear despite the intensity of his
suffering.
Captain de Mouret. you are a soldier.
a brave one, as my own eyes have wit
messed, reputed a man of untarnished
honor. VIII you truly answer me one
question upon the sacred blood of Christ o.
His earnestness appealed to every bet
ter instinct OF my nature, so 1 replied to
him:
II WILL
Have I your oath?"
You have"
49, " A1ASi VI ido!SS, II
either, did you intend this note should
be delivered; and which, II either, did you
meet at the ruined chapel at Sceaux?
Speak, in Gods name, and do not spare
me! Suspicion is more terrible than
TRUTH
The very worst had come, and 1 felt my
resolution waiver. l knew not what story
Agnes had told her husband, nor did l
know who that other lady was. She
looked enough 1Iko hopaS 10 Eo, ,a n ffor3,I
shallow pretext for an evasion. Verify
here was a strong temptation for a lie.
and l was almost minded to tell it and
relieve Agnes. Agnes, though. would
give me no cue; never once did she lift
her eyes to mine. 1 might even then have
told the lie. but for the reflection it would
compromise an innocent woman.
Captain, in Gods name. speak! do you
not see that l am quiet and self-con-
trolled?"
"Chevalier de la Mora, I shall tell you
the exact truth, and hold you to your
promise that there shall be no violence
now. What I did was through my fault
alone. nor did you lady give me the
slightest encouragement-she is blame
less. 1t is 4 sore strait you ave placed
me In. but this is the lady who has all a
soldiers love, and a soldiers respect,
which she has done nothing to forfeit
AS 1 spoke, I Indicated the shrinking
figure Of Agnes, and turned to meet the
storm. Verify the storm did come, but
from a different source.
TIL elder lady rose with a fervent
THANK God!" which L could find no rea-
son for her saying. Agnes nervously
twisted at the table cover, her cheeks
crimson with the shame. l could not re-
sist a long look down upon her. and do
what I might, my love showed full and
strong in my face and mien.
De la Mora keenly watched US all. That
other lady, for whom l had nc thought,
to my utter surprise, moved coward him
with hands outstretched, and cried:
'Charles."
For a moment he hesitated, then:
"Oh, Agnes, Agnes, a lifetime's love and
service cannot compensate you for what
I've made you suffer-the doubt I bore
my loyal WIFE"
He fell upon his knee before her and
carried her hand to his lips as though she
were a goddess, and then sprang toward
me with the gladdest Of glad smiles.
thrust his hand at me, and came near to
cracking miEe by the vigor of his grasp.
His throat choked up, and he said nothing.
And all this while I looked from one to
the other with a most dull and stupid
stare.
Agnes looked up at me once, radiant
n confused, then lowered her eyes
again.
The chevalier broke a silence which was
becoming intolerable, to me at least, who
did not understand it all.
Captain de Mouret, you nave been in
error, and have done me no wrong. This
lady here Is my worshiped wife, Madam
Agnes de la Mora" l looked upon her
~incredulously, while hat gracious woman
took one hand from her husband long
enough to extend to me her greeting.
Thoroughly perplexed by this most un-
looked for dcnouement, 1 asked:
who, then. is this?"
This chit" he replied, walking round
the table, happy as q boy, and almost lift
ing her bodily, this Is madame's little sis
ter, Charlotte. She confessed this even
ing to having spoken with you once in the
chapel at Sceaux-and I, may God for
give me, doubted but she had done it to
shield her sister. 1 knew the little mink
had warned you In the park, but thought
nothing of it. Charlotte, come herev'
And Charlotte de Verges laid her warm
little land in mine. For thirty years it
has rested there in peace.
Thus, through many strange perils and
purifying sorrows came the abiding hap
plness which blessed these last two chill
dren Of the BLACK VOLTS Breed
THE END.
On the Wrong Tack.
New York Evening DUN: How we did
laugh!
you're on the wrong tack" we as
sured him, sandwiching in our words be-
tween the pealing ebullit!ons of our
y,irtl stvnySro on tha ryror~ %a-I- -