Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-29

letter-from NJ. de Cobalt to NJ. de Probable.
Read it, for the love of Cod read it.
'Denys, Denys, how can you ask such un-
worthiness?' cried Gabrielle Indignantly,
her eyes and voice full of reproach IF it
be NJ. de Cobalt's letter. give it to him.
Would you have me initiate you and play
the spy?''
But Denys stopped her and spoke again,
moving step toward Gabrielle.
He would marry you but to betray you
to the duke. tbs my last word. He says
it here" Holding the letter In his now
trembling fingers he made a great effort to
reach Gabrielle with it, his staring eyes
fixed earnestly and imploringly upon her.
But his fever-racked strength was gone.
For Gods sake be warned he mumbled
half incoherently. 1t was his last effort.
AS the words dropped from his lips, he
fell prone to the ground, the letter flutter-
ing from his nerveless fingers to Gabrielle's
feet.
Lucette with a cry knelt beside him.
Gabrielle had shrunk from his approach,
but now stood gazing down on him, pity,
pain and distress in her eyes. And Gerard
stopped and felt his heart
He has but tainted he said, looking up.
Let him be carried back to the bed he
should never have left. He is a noble,
| faithful fellow and has freely risked his
life for what he deems the truth"
Good. Gerard! Splendidly played. Did
Probable, intensely relieved at Denys col
lapse. What an actor the villain is, duke?
Sa1d not he was but acting with Gabrielle?
You could swear that tone of his was a
note of honorable innocence"
But the duke made no reply He was
staring with pent gloomy brows at the
scene.
You bear him grudging for this,
Gerard?' said Gabrielle with a smile of
| confidence.
Should I feel enmity to one whose only
motive was desire to serve you and who
mas drawn this further proof of your trust
IN me! He did and said no more than he
deemed both right and true. l honor him
for his courage
Then 1 will tear the letter that apuears
TO have cheated his fevered wits and so
end the NATTER and picking up the paper
her.
Fool Idiot! Now indeed he goes too
far: muttered de Probable, as he saw the
gesture. Let her tear it,
Gerard had the strongest reasons for nat
having the letter destroyed however II
was the proof he needed to make de Pro-
| bales guilt clear.
II should not destroy It, Gabrielle. There
must be much behind this which we do
not yet understand, and If II is to be clear
| ed, this letter may be needed"
It's but the delusion born of fever mad
ness
Men do not forge letters in delirium -
answered Gerard. quietly
You would not have me read ito Ga
br1elle's eyes were wide with establishment
| WHAT VIII the 1901 90 neXt!' murmured
| de Probable, in deep agitation rs he aim
| ing this at me?'
Gerard paused a moment to think, and
| then answered calmly and firmly
Yes, | would have you read it,
But 1t is designed to SANDER you"
Il am too sure of your trust to fear any
Islander, Gabrielle. 1 would have you read
' it, wha tever it be-
by the Gross! he plays a bold hand. -
! muttered the duke. drawing his breath.
What is in the letter."
1t will ruin everything whispered de
| Probable.
Then do l not understand him. He must
| indeed be sure of her. he says" and his
frown grew deeper than before
Gabrielle stood lingering the letter in
hesitation some moments and then unfold
ed 1t.
Il will do your bidding, Gerard, although
l had rather not" She read it then
TO NJ. lie Baron de Proballe
THE messenger has brought me your
last communication and the sum of
money asked for. My doubts are almost
satisfied. / have some troublesome matters
to arrange, and some little time must pass
before they can be settled. But you can
count upon my reaching Malincourt by the
end of June or the first days of July, IL in
response to this you send me q declara-
ton under the Duke de Rochelle's own
hand that / shall receive his pardon for the
affair at Cambria. You must procure this:
as without 1t shall not trust myself within
his province.
of your proposal specifically. / now do
this. I will marry Gabrielle. She shall
never learn from me that her parents never
expressed any such wish for our marriage
as she has been told. / will use my ut
most Efforts to compel her. II need be, to