The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-28
LANCE ET LE DIABLE.
RY ANNIE nRAsHEAR.

(Copyright. 1s04 Daily Story Pub. Col
 As she entered her private parlor at the hotel. she carelessly threw aside the wrap which rested like wist upon the peachbloom of her gown, and sank wearily upon the divan drawn befors the dying fire.
 A touch of the electric button would have summoned her maid. but she felt grateful for the rare luxury of being even for a few moments alone. She raised her eyes to the mirror above tho mantle and noted in every detail the beauty which 1t reflected.
 At the reception from whichNshe had Just returned, where she had been in- froduced into her husbands circle, she had easily won the laurels of pro- nounced, success. The charm of her winning grace and sparkling wit com p1eted the triumph which her beauty assured
 The pride of her fastidious husband had been gratified, and she knew that she had but to reach forth her hand to grasp the reins of n social leader.
 But now the light had faded from her eyes and unutterable weariness and bitter rebellion sat upon her face. She thought of her great mistake--the marriage which had become a bitter mockery. She wore jewels which a queen might envy. but she felt that they glittered above the brow of a slave. She wore cains of steel wreathed with flowers, and found in her husband master whom she hated. She clenched her hands in rage as she recalled the time when he had wooed herZwhen his happiness depended up- on her smile. How easy had seemed the exercise of power which a wife could exert. but 1ol the lover was tho tyrant now, whom she feared even as she hated. She heard his step at the door and arose to leave the room, but with a gesture he detained her. He sat upon the divan, drew her to his side, pressed her head upon his bosom and encircled her waist with his arm He saw in the mirror the fear and loathing which she deemed hidden from his eyes.
 My sweet wife, you were the most beautiful in all that throng of lovely women. I am tonight perhaps. the most envied man in New Orleans. Its social world has seen you. and Is at your feet. Although it Is late have detained you to tell little story which think you will find interesting I have long intended to tell 1t. but not until had brought you to the South. where the tragedy occurred.
 .sUpon fine estate, not far from this city, one of the oldest families ct Louisiana lived from generation to generation. About thirty years ago the owner of this grand estate married beautiful French girl. The marriage was a shock and surprise, for run ming through her exquisitely sweet and gentle nature was the idiosyncrasy which in other members of her family had been mania, melancholia and in- sanity. Daring fate, defyina Nere4.ty, this reckless Southern gentleman would have bartered his soul to win the woman whom he loved. For tour years she made his home a heaven on earth. Then fell the blow which friends had predicted. With the birth of her twin boys she became ravin6 maniac. But Providence, which Chris tians call Gods mercy, removed her from earth before the calamity was generally known.
 .srhe husband did not long survive her and the children passed into the custody of a guardian. Personally, they were almost exactly alike. and even the voice and carriage of one was duplicated in the other. Almost from their cradle their old nurse called one Lange' and the other Le Diable.' The names followed them through child hood and youth. as nicknames some- times will. followed them through col lege and remained the names by which they were distinguished by intimate friends.
 Tn the reckless Satanic nature of one bloomed a perfect, stainless flow CT: his idolatrous love for his noble. gracious brother, and for that broth CTS sake he kept his own life clean and pure.
 s.At last, in one of their rare separa- tions, L'ange met the woman of his fate. From the time of their first meet ing he loved her and wooed her as passionateIy as Claud Melnotte wooed Pauline. laying a knightly chivalry, q princeIy fortune. a mans 'great love at her feet. His life, his soul became as transparent as glass for her inspection. Only one secret was withheld-that one intended as glorious surprise that he had a twin brother, another self to whom she would be scarcely less dear. The few days of engage ment were as foretaste of heaven, be- fore he hurried to the South to pre- pare for the coming of his bride.
 At this time a commercial panic swept over the South; many were ruin- ed, and among those who had been