The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-06-17
|6be Black sz=@ !
VOLTS Breed
es',r'shs 1893 as By H.,r,, D,sA.,n ;

The chevalier did not formally presen
me. Agnes dropped her mead somewhat
and never raised her eyes at my entrance
1t was Il most awkward situation. A.
TO what de Ia Mora contemplated L couit
not venture the widest guess; certainly
no violence in the presence of this Other
lady who locke 80 cool while yet SO pale
Captain de Mouret, as you hope 70.
your souls salvation, l conjure you tc
tell me the whole truth. L do solemnls
promise you, upon a soldiers honor, al
the very worst which may come, vii
only leave this colony, and will not injure
any one"
j had seen de la Mora on many a field
but never did he look stronger or noblel
than on that night. His voice sounded
full and clear despite the Intensity of ms
suffering.
Captain de Mouret, you are a soldier,
a brave one. as my w eyes have wit
messed, reputed a man of untarnished
honor. Will you truly answer mo one
question upon the sacred blood of Christ ."
HIS earnestness appealed 10 every bet
ter instinct of my nature, SO L replied tc
him:
II will
Have / your oath?'
You have"
Then, sir, to which of these ladies'. If
either, did you intend this note should
be delivered: and which, If either, cid 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 felt my
resolution waver. l knew not what story
Agnes had told her husband, nor did /
know who that other lady was. She
looked enough like Agnes to have afforded
shallow rrptayf for nm ny-aSIr, Ir,rgt,-
here was a strong temptation for a lie,
and l 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. l might even then have
told the lie, but for the reelection 1t 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, 1 shall tell you
the exact truth, and hold you TO your
promise that there shall be no violence
now. What L did was through my fault
alone, nor did your lady give me the
slightest encouragement-she "a blame
less. 1t is a sore strait you have placed
me in, but this is the lady who has all II
soldiers love, and a soldiers respect.
which she has done nothing to forfeit"
AS l spoke, l indicated the shrinking
figure of Agnes, and turned to meet the
storm. Verify the storm did come. but
from a different source.
The elder lady rose with a fervent
THANK God!" which / could find no rea-
son for her saying. Agnes nervously
twisted at the table cover, her cheeks
crimson with the shame. 1 could not re-
sist a long look down upon her, and do
what 1 might. my love showed full and
strong in my face and mien.
Do In Mora kaap1y matched Ne al, rvb,-
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 lifeti1ne's love and
service cannot compensate you for what
I've made you suffer-the doubt 1 bore
my loyal wife"
He fell upon his knee before her and
carried her hand to his lips as though she
We're a goddess, and then sprang toward
me with the gladdest of glad smiles,
thrust his hand at me, and came near to
cracking mire 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 chevalser broke a silence which was
becoming intolerable, to me at least, who
did not understand it all.
Captain de Mouret, you have been in
error, and have done me NJ wrong. This
lady here Is my w~orshiped wife, Madame
Agnes de la Mora" l looked upon her
-incredulously. while that gracious woman
took one hand from her husband long
enough to extend to me her greeting.
Thoroughly perplexed by this most un-
looked for denouenent, L asked:
who, then. is this?"
This chit" he replied, walking round
the table. happy as a 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 oHce in the
chape! at S~ceaux-and L, 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 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 perils and
purifying sorrows came the abiding hap
piness which blessed these last two chill
dren OF the BLACK VOLTS Breed"
THE END.