Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-02-18
The Il Expiiatil,o!n
How Jeanns's Val,ity'
Proved Her Undoh8'

Proved Her Undon8.
HVOU say there is no such thing
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 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
q story which is my own, and re-
earding which have always remained
silent. Now that years have rolled
by. can speak without fear of open
ing the wound Of deeply lacerated
heart
''You all believe me an impenitent
celibate. Nevertheless, have been
married. was no longer young when.
through love, took in marriage a
stranger who brought me only her mar
velous beauty as dowry. 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 I made this re-
Fiction only after having. met in a
friendly salon a. charming niece of the
master of the house, recently arrived
from Rouen, who, I was told, was an or
phan. very poor, and in search of re-
munerative 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.
I 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 did that I had fallen in love
with Dele Jeanne, and aided my cause
surreptitiously. Through their good Of
6ces we became shortly affianced; and
when we were married l was more her
slave than her husband. But the slav-
cry was delightful!
Jeanne loved luxury. My modest
needs 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 fiat
terry. was using my vigor in killing
labor. The reflection in the mirror
showed me tired face prematurely
worn out At my side Jeanne appeared
, 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 exaggerated, but she
would close my mouth with her little
hand, laughingly kiss my eyes and an
Bwer: You are young and handsome,
since you are so intelligent, and love
you Ard believed it,, My confidence
In her was absoiute-her glance was so
clear and frank.
II felt that she was so entirely mine
that the idea of suspecting her never
entered my head. I did not even dream
Of being jealous. Still, from time to
time, her absence was strange. If
questioned her, 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
till believed her.
For distraction, would take her to
the theater I knew not which pleased
her more, the scene on the stage before
her, or the admiration she received
from the spectators These occasions Of
(ered her an opportunity to show OF her
Jewels, of which she was passionately
fond Jewels! had bought her many,
and tile 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.
'tOu one occasion, however. 1 was
forced to refuse. In the window of
1eweler. chain made of gold and Or
with valuable diamond pen
dant, had attracted her. With the end
Of her finger she pointed it out to me.
4 want that chain, said she. made
hertO listen to reason. Ny stock of ready
money was already seriously en-
croached upon, as I had payments to
make; II was more cos -enient to await
. more favorable opportun!tJ.