Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-18
The Expiatior, How Jeanne's Vanity
 Proved Her Undoiny.

N OU say there IS no Such thlnS
 as everlasting justice, and that no revenge is executed more terribly upon those who have wronged us, than the revenge they carry upon them selves? What know you of it? Let me assure you that destiny often, eX- tends her hand against the guilty one and inflicts a chastisement which sur passes our most ferocious desires"
 So spoke Roger Valtet. who. for some time, had listened silently to our discussions without taking any part in them whatever. and. in view of his great age. we did not contradict him.
 You are incredulous%" he asked. "Well, let me convince you by relating a story which is my own. and re- garding which have always remained silent Now that years have rolled by, can speak without fear of open ing the wound of 8 deeply lacerated heart.
 "You all believe me an inpenitent celibate. Nevertheless, have been married. was no longer young when, through love, I took In marriage stranger who brought me only her mar ye]ous beauty as a dowry. I was in re- ceipt of small income, my station In life was fair, and as had no family re- lations, it appeared to me that legiti- mate companion would ennoble my life. To be precise, however, made this re- faction only after having met in a friendly salon a charming niece of the master of the house, recently arrived from Rouen, who, was told, was an or plan, very poor. and in search of re- muneratiye employment. was indig- nant at the thought that such beau- tiful girl should find it necessary to work in order to live; she was born to receive homage and dictate her caprices. declared my views to, her. Her smile was deliciously sad. The charm of her answer was enhanced by her soft accent. I became an assiduous caller at the house of my friends. They perceived before I did that I had fallen in love with Delle Jeanne, and aided my cause surreptitiously. Through their good of fees we became shortly affianced: and when we were married I was more her slave than her husband. But the slav- cry was delightful!
 Jeanne loved luxury. My modest revenue was insufficient to meet her needs. I became ingenious in my de- sire to satisfy her. and racked my intel- igence for new resources to make mon- ey. At the price of exhausting work, I realized large sums of money. In this manner she was enabled to have mag nificent dresses, which rendered her more beautiful than ever. She thanked me for my labor with kisses and flat iva vic in ir labor. The reflection in the mirror showed me a tired face prematurely worn out. At my side Jeanne appeared a perfect creature, the young sultana of my adolescent dreams. I told her so, and also that was old and ugly, and asked her pardon for having associated her juvenile grace with my senility. Speaking thus I exaggerated, but she would close my mouth with her little hand, laughingly kiss my eyes and an- gwer: You are young and handsome, since you are so intelligent, and love you And believed it. My confidence in her was absolute-her glance was so 4 clear and frank.
 'T felt that she was so entirely mine that the idea of suspecting her never entered my head; did not even dream of being jealous. Still, from time to time, her absence was strange. If questioned her r,A she would excuse her. self by saying that she had been wan. dering about Paris thinking deeply of her childhood in her country home. And still believed her. <. For distraction, I would take her to the theatey. knew not which pleased her more, the scene on the stage before her, or the admiration she received from the spectators. These occasions of fered her an opportunity to show off her jewels, of which she was passionately fond. Jewels! I had bought her many. and the contents of her casket had cost me small fortune. But she always craved for more original designs, and she would coax me so gently that ] would manage somehow to secure them for her.
 "On one occasion, however, was forced to refuse. In the window of a 1eweler, chain made Of gold and or namented with a valuable diamond pen dant, had attracted her. With the end of her finger she pointed it out to me. T want that chain said she. made
 
 money was already seriously en- croached upon. as l had payments to make; 1t was more convenient to await . more favorable opportunity.
 But then she said, the chain will I,e sold .-.m- .. .
 ''I held out strongly. She looked grossly at me.
 That evening. she whispered in my ear: It was only a craving; the desire is already gone!' She irtilnated to m the cause of her cratic impulse, and thu thought of her being satisfied without i filled ne with a grea. joy. My first i'm pulse was to rush to the jewc.er's ant bring her t!.c coveted chain Then reflected that the money would be need ed in the house: and, moreover, she hat confessed that she vas no longer anxiou for the chain.
 , The same night Jeanne became sud denly i'll. I hastily summoned physi