The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-26

I hear things that VIII cast some shame on
their nobility. II what my wife says is
only half true. Go on Lame"
| Inc poor thing was dead when
reached the Indian House. For thirteen
long years her lips have not uttered one
intelligiole word. / am told; neither did
they before she died. What I am going
TO tell you was impaired to me by one
who was witness 10 the facts. and lived
with your uncle Giseert from the time
he returned from tho East Indies 10 his
death--one. too, who will. IL necessary.
swear TO the truth and validress of the
whole circumstances"
She spoke 10 her husband. looking al
him all the time. and grieving 20 be
obliged 10 infiict so much pain on one OF
his sensitive nature. She related all to
him, from the beginning OF his uncle Cis-
oerts illness, when the priest. sanctioned
by the Hofmarschall. with refined cruelty
separated the sick man from his devoted
Wife by repeating 10 him falsehoods con-
cerning her whom he loved TO the last
moment OF his existence, all that had
transpired during that illness, and the
events which preceded his death
Every now and again a mocking grunt
or murmured oath interrupted the
young wifes tale Of wrong done TO the
innocent. but not till she mentioned Frau
I>ohn's name for the hrst time as the one
from whom she had heard the story, did
the Hofmarschali attempt to interrupt
her; but then he broke in with fury and
rage.
"The wretch! the lar!" he cried. 80
she is your informant and surety for all
this You have been gossiping with the
toughest and least trustworthy OF the
whole staff OF servants, and now you
dare accuse me OF all this stuff"
Go on, Lane. so on; don't mind him."
urged her husband. whose face was
drawn, and had become lvid with emo
tion-
There is one thing one fact you can't
deny. for you knew nothing about t. ana
have no idea even now that n happened"
continued the young wife, turning 10 the
Hofmarschall. "and that is that the Hin
doc saw your brother few days before
his death. had -ieHs-tslk with him, ana
that he died with the assurance that she
was innocent OF all the charges brought
against her"
Bah! you have colored your story too
much my dear" he replied. making his
shrill voice sound as nataurai as ne
could. adding after n second: "Of this
affecting scene l knew nothing at ell; TO
me it's all incomprehensble from begin
ming to end-all pure invention on the
part Of your trusty informant However
be Il as you will, I don't see why need
stop here any longer TO listen like a lamb
TO this interminable intriguing affair
When the constables arrive whom you
seem so anxious 10 have fetched for me,
they'll find me upstairs In my own apart
ments Ha! ha! ha, Go 20 bed my
dear. and sleep; you arc terribly pale, and
look as If you could not stand up much
longer. Inventing Is oxhausting work.
.fr.l.t
my! Good night"
wait a moment. uncle" said Raoul.
going over 10 the door and barring the
old mans exit II have listened with
patience and forbearance to your abuse
OF me and mine this evening Now I in
sist that you femain here and in my
presence listen TO the remainder OF this
affair unless you wish TO lose forever in
my eyes. the remains OF your boasted hon
or as a gentleman"
"Poltroonl" muttered the Hofmarschall.
his closed teeth. and threw him
self down I'm the nearest armchair.
Lame went on with her recital. and told
" the meeting between Uncle Gisbort and
the Hindoo few days before his death.
Neither of her hearers made remark till
she arrived at the point where she had 10
describe how the dying man. with n great
effort succeeded In sealing I'm two
places with his slgnet-ring the document
he had written In Frau Tohn's presence.
then both exclaimed
ITS lie!--an Infamous falsehood!"
rame from the elder man
Ali said his nephew. as N a thought
had Just struck him. "Uncie. the duch- |
sss and her maid Of honor will bear wit
ness. have no doubt. 20 your assertion. !
hat the ring--that very samc eueraid /
signet -ring--was given TO you on the
tenth Of September by Cncie GIsbert /
But, Lane. where IL the document? Does
L still exist7"
Without a word the young wife took