Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-05

ellie, and, worse than all, childless. I am
done with the world. dear, and willing to
give place to one who can play my part
better. 1t would have been better, far bet
ter, had I died years ago"
Then should have lacked the truest
woman friend girl could have answered
I'll Rut You mus must
in greater pain than usual, 1 fear, and 1T
has tried you"
Il have been a failure, child. I see it
now, and see how the people under the
dukes rule have suffered in consequence.
The duke himself has shown me this"
1.-The duke?" exclaimed Gabrielle, in sur
price.
"The influence of woman's hand in his
governing has been sadly missed. He loved
me once, child, and then 1 could sway him,
hard though he now seems. But when
bore him no children and my helplessness
fell upon me an estrangement grew be-
tween us, and from that followed, oh, so
many evils" She sighed deeply. and paus-
ed before she added: Yet he has shown
me it is not too late, even now"
Il cannot follow you now, DEAR said
Gabrielle.
"a noble without son to succeed him
lacks one of the great incentives to do right,
Gabrielle He turns his thoughts inward;
broods thinks only of himself, and grows
the harder for the CALLING grief and disap-
pointment. 1t has been so with the duke.
If had but died years ago, when first my
calamity struck me down. he would have
taken another wife, who would have borne
him children. Would God indeed that had
diedr
Gabrielle said nothing Deep down in her
mind the thought began to take shape that
there was some purpose behind her friend s
| Words-some new cause to bring this side
| of her sufferings to the light just now.
II used to pray earnestly for a son, "
| the duchess continued after painful pause,
| but none came. Had l but dared at that
! time l would have taken my life. But I
| was a coward. l dared not find freedom in
| that way"
| Did the duke know of these thoughts?'
asked Gabrielle keeping her face averted.
1T was my own thought" continued the
duchess, smoothing Gabrielle's hair and pet
| ting her. quite my own. l knew it would
| be so well for Morvafx If he could have
| some one by his side, heart-warm in the
desire to help the people, strong In influence
! to modify the ever growing sternness of his
rule by gentle suasive counsel-he is at
| heart a man amenable to such influence
| Gabrielle-and able to take due part in
| the work of government helpmeet in all
| ways So l urged him to gain the sanction
/ of holy church to dissolve our marriage, on
| the ground of childlessness, and seek-an-
| other and a better wife
MY dear, my dear, cried Gabrielle in
| tensely moved "Where could he find a
| better in all fair France than you? He re-
| fused of course.
| "Yes-then and not kindly, but with a
| gibe-that he had not found marriage ar
| experience he wished to double. But now
| he has gone back to the plan; for there Is
| one a woman among women, Gabrielle
| who would be all that Morvaix could desire
| as his wife. And the one OF all others
| whom 1 could best bear to see filling my
place"
| no response came.
: Her heart like mine, is for the peoples
| veal, and her influence would be far great
er than mine could ever have been with the
! citizens; real, powerful, active, where mine
| is now dead. You have often told me no"
| you love the people, Gabrielle.
| "You must say no more, answered Ga
| brielle, in a low. firm voice. Il will not
| affect to misunderstood you, and l know
| you speak in all purity of thought and in,
1 tent But were all other considerations
| naught, l would never do you this wrong.
| Your heart is free, child?' The gentle
| eyes were full on Gabrlele's face as the
| question was put and the light that rashee
| to IL did not escape them. Gabrielle, my
Gabrielle, l did not know and at thai
| Gabrielle lowered her head and hid 1t or
| her friends heart. Pray heaven he Is
| worthy of you. Tell me, child. Or is it a
| secret?"
| mo secret" said Gabrielle. lifting hel
head proudly. My cousin, Gerard de Co
! bait"
Gabrielle, not he; surely not he trust, >
| interposed the duchess in a tone of dsmay
| ''Oh how / am punished for not having
! spoken my fears Since last we spoke to-
| gether of him and his coming, l have
heard Ill tidings indeed. concerning him
| could be certain. He is not worthy of you
| child; far, far from it..
81 have neither fears for him nor doubts
| for myself"
when the heart is young how easy to be
| confident. How sad and more than sad is
| all this! And here, then, is the reason
| why my words found your ears deaf, is
| it?"
only in part Had / never seen Gerard
| my answer had been the same"
| The duchess sighed and shivered slightly
| in fear
"The duke will hear your decision un
willingly, Gabrielle, and 1t will harden his
heart against the man who thus comes be-
| tween you and him. Your cup of suffering
will be full, indeed, even while you are sc
young. He had built upon this marriage
thinking by 1t to join the influence of your
| house of MalincOurt with HIS
| "If need should come, will you stand by
me as to my cousin?
Have 1 ever failed you when I had the
power to help? Bat In this I am power
less 1t would be wrong to give you fruit
less hope. Were he but a good man
worthy Of your sweet, pure love, how