Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-01-14

priety in marriage which you appear
to wish SO eagerly. But there remains
the question of the heart.
II can fairly hear him say:
"'My heart, madame, the heart that
have humbly laid at your feet, is as
pure as that of child.
She stops suddenly and runs to the
door at the back
! "Ah! Merciful goodness! thought
II heard some one moving in the next
room. Some one-it is M de Ludre-I
am sure it is. He has bribed Jean to
go away SO that he may be alone with
me. All! If he were a gentleman he
would never do that. CLOSING the door
she locks it rapidly
There, that is an insult that you
brought upon yourself, sir! He signs;
he bewails his sad fate. If only would
be kind. Well, my friend, will read
your letter; I will read it Immediately.
Il don't hear anything more. (She
opens the door and looks through.) No
one there-no one-he has gone. Did
he come at all, wonder, or was it mere
1ly the autumn wind blowing through
the hall?
What an afternoon! My nerves are
all gone to pieces. If M. de Ludre wasn't
there, If he really didn't come at all,
have suspected him WRONGLY have
slandered him. In reparation, l ought
to read his letter; besides, he will not
have written anything that he has not
already told me. (she picks up a letter
from the table and starts to open it, then
catches. sight of the other lying beside
it,
Il mustn't make mistake and take
the one that isn't meant for me- But
how can tell which is which? They
are both the same shape, the same size
and both are without an address. One
of them belongs to me, and have every
right to read it; but which is it?
Il can't make out any writing
through the envelopes. What shall I
do? Truly my sense of honor is likely
to have a terrible trial. The letter that
didn't care straw about reading two
minutes ago, am now all on fire to see.
"Ah! have an idea; will put both
letters back and draw but one. The first
touch will be mine, if there is PROV
idence in chances
She drops both letters into the hat,
takes out one, and after a moments
pause tears open the envelope and de-
cides to read 1t.
cit is centuries since have written
you >
"Ah! that is not meant for me, am
sure. However, am not sorry for my
mistake. Let us see my letter, now.
(She opens the second letter. Nine.
la Baronne, permit me to ask the help
of your ever ready charity and to solicit
your kindness Why, what is this:
1t is letter from Jean, my farmer; his
wife is sick, the medicines are very ex-
pensive, ETC., and there is nothing else
in the envelope.
1T was true, then; it really was let
ter from miserable looking fellow. All!
I thought hoped. Come, will not |
think of it. Who knows, though, but |
what have thrown away my happi-
ness?"
She picks up the other letter, mechan-
icaly, and reads, beginning:
"Tt is centuries since I have written
you, dear lady
Dear lady! / did we'll to read it!
had no right to do such thing. But has
he any right to console himself so quick
ly for losing me- Him! He is an odious
brute, and it was an inspiration from
Heaven that led me to refuse his hand.
LET us see in what style he writes to
another the same things that he said to
ne only yesterday: 1T is centuries
since wrote to you, dear friend, and I
hasten to ask your forgiveness. To-mor-
'ow leave for Paris, where l shall see
7ou in the evening" a i
AT any rate, he doesn't waste any
lime beating about the bush.
"I am very unhappy and need your
.r
Listen to that, will you! %
!" You know the great love feel for
Nine de Varjolis. You know, also
that 1t has been my greatest hope for
year to unite my life to that of this
good woman, so worthy to be
he happiness and delight of an hon.
orable man. Alas! yesterday she re-
fused me in terms that could not mis-
axe, and l shall leave Immediately
(Touched.) But don't want him to go!
"Tf my beloved mother were still
live, should 60 to her. This is why
I'm coming to you, dear madame, who
ire her oldest and dearest friend. To
you alone can tell of my unhappiness.
Your devoted and afflicted
Rene de Ludre.'
deeply touched.) But he needn't go
70 far to tell his unhappiness. Why
doesn't he come to me, and we will make
Up. Poor boy, my willfulness has made
him suffer! How many wrongs have
o repair! But will make them up-1.
will, indeed, with all my heart Here is
! postscript:
"T cannot send such a sad letter
without a redeeming touch of bright
less Here is the funny side of my visit
here: Would you believe that there is
not single drawer in nv room that has