The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-06-16

The cheValier did not formally present
me. Agnes dropped her head somewhat,
and IAyer raised her eyes at my entrance.
1t %&S a most awkward situation. AS
to what de la Mora contemplated I could
not venture the widest guess; certainly
no violence in the preseDce of this other
lady who looked so cool while yet so pale.
Captain de Mouret, as you hope for
your soul S salvation, l couture you to
tell me the whole truth. l 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
had seen de la Mora on many a field.
but never did he look stronger or nohler
than on that 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 uutarnished
honor, VIII YOU truly answer me one
question upon the sacred blood Of Christie
His earnestness appealed TO every bet
ter instinct Of my nature, so / replied to
him:
II will"
Have 1 your oath?"
You have"
Then, sir, to which of these ladies', II
either, did you intend this note should
Dc ue1lNeieU' ana winch. IL 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 l felt my
resolution waver. 1 knew not what story
Agnes had told her husband, nor did l
know who that other lady was. She
looked enough like Agnes to have afforded
shallow pretext for an evasion. Verify
here was a strong temptation for a lie.
and | was almost minded to tell 1t and
relieve Agnes. Agnes. though, would
give ME no cue: never once did she lift
her eyes TO mine. I might ever then have
told the lie. but Tor the reelection it would
compromise an innocent woman.
Captain, in Gods name, speak. do you
not see that l am quiet and self-con-
trolled 2"
"Chevalier de la Mora, 1 shall tell you
the exact truth, and hold you to your
promise that there shall be no violence
now. What [ did was through my fault
alone. nor did your lady give me the
slightest enCouragenent-she is blame
less. 1t is a sore strait you ave placed
me in. but this is the lady who has all Il
soldiers love, and a soldiers respect,
which she has done nothing to forfeit"
AS l spoke, L indicated the shrinking
OF Agnes, and turned to meet the
storm. Verify the storm did come, but
from a different source.
The elder lady rose with a feryent
THANK Cod" which ! 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 fui! and
strong in my face and mien.
De la Mora keenly watched us all. That
other lady, for whom l had no thought.
to my utter surprise, moved toward 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 suiiker-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
and confused, then lowered her eyes
again.
The chevalier broke a silence which was
becoming lntoIerable, to me at least, who
did not understand it all.
Captain de Mouret, you have been in
error, and have done me no wrong. This
lady here is my worshiped wife, Madame
Agnes de la Mora" l looked upon her
~incredulous!y, while that gracious woman
took one hand from her husband long
enough to extend to me her greeting.
Thoroughly perplexed by this most UNI
looked for deuouen2ent, l 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 madane's little sis
ter, Charlotte. She contested this even
ing to having spoken will you once in the
chapel at l. may God for
give HE, doubted but she had done it TO
shield her sister. l knew the little mink
had warned you IN the park, but thought
nothing Of it. Charlotte, come herel"
And Charlotte de Verges laid her warm
little hand in mine For thirty years It
has rested there in peace.
Thus, through many strange periIs and
purifying SORROWS came the abiding hap
piness which blessed these last two chill
dren OF the BLACK VOLTS Breed"