The Morris County chronicle., 1905-10-03

you first received me in your house
said was an orphan, without rel
tive ID the world. Indeed. indeed,
believed that to be the unhap
truth MY parents were dead, and
only brother I had was killed on
ramparts when the Germans besiegt
Paris. He was but a lad at the tiRs
and when they told me he was dea6 !
had no reason to doubt them. But III
stead of having been killed he was
only wounded and taken prisoner, and
when he was released he went to
America, intending to make his e6ri
tune there and return and throw 1t in
my lap He wrote to me, but did moi
receive his letters. In America he waa
unfortunate. Trustful by nature, ht
was robbed and deceived, and, without
a penny in his pocket, he made his way
to England, little dreaming that was
in this country His sad wanderings,
directed by fate, brought him here
here. where I had the happiness of
finding q home and sympathizing
friends. We met by accident; my as
tonishment was great; it was as if he
had risen from his grave. What was I
to do? / had solemnly assured your
good wife and daughter that I was ut
terly, entirely friendless, and through
them you believed this to be so. If |
now informed you to the contrary I
might be proelaiming my own death
warrant. You might have said, Mad
emoiselle Rosalie has practiced treach-
cry toward us: she presented herself
to us in a false light, and therefore
she is unworthy of our confidence; she
shall be dismissed l was so narrowed
by the fear of losing this happy home,
in which, after all my troubles, l had
found peace and rest, that / had not
the courage to undeceive you; but
after what you have witnessed, sir,
this afternoon, could no longer re-
main silent. Ny honor, my good name,
was at stake, and it must be vindi-
cated-for what else have ! left to
nerve and support me in the trials
may yet have to endure? I could not
wait until tomorrow. About to seek
my couch, / saw you from my bed
room window, and. blessing the chance,
hurried down to make my confession.
Forgive me. sir; forgive me! and as
sure me that have regained my
place in your esteem. Tell me you do
not despise me-"
"If your story is true" said, and
would have proceeded had She not in
terrupted me.
"If, sir, if! Is it possible that you
can doubt me still? / swear, upon
my knees, that l have spoken trulyp
You are to be pitied," said, mot
despised." / saw no reason to doubt
her further. Two angels, my wife
and daughter, had full faith in her;
why should not Z? In what she had re-
lated there was not flaw, there was
nothing contrary to reason or opposed
to the ordinary course Of human mo-
tives.
"Say that you pardon me, sir,'' she
pleaded, "and give me your hand as
token of forgiveness" / gave her
my hand, and she murmured, Il am
happy, am happy"
The window of my wife's bedroom
was thrown up. and, by the aid of the
light within the chamber / saw the
figure Of my wife. clad in white, look
ing out upon the grounds. had been
absent longer than she had expected,
and she was anxious about me.
"Richardn' she softly called; her voice
was low and sweet, and fell distinctly
upon my ears.
"Husht' whispered Mile. Rosalie,
crouching behind me. "Do not speak
do not move! She must not see mew
1t was perhaps foolish on my part to
obey her, but l was dimly conscious
that an injurious construction might be
placed upon the circumstance of Mile.
Rosalie and being together at that
time of night; therefore I held my
tongue. Tor space of nearly a min
ute my wife stood at the window, and
for that space neither Mile. Rosalie
nor / moved or spoke she standing be-
hind me, and clasping me, as if for pro-
lection. Then the window was gently
closed and the blind let down.
Il am safer whispered Mile. RosaIie,
kissing my hand humbly and CRATE
fully. "You will not betray me-you
win keep my secret?"
1T should be told" ! said, "to my
wife and daughter"
LET me tell it to them,' she said;
''let me choose the timel In two or
three days / shall have courage"
"As you will,'' / said, wishing to ter
inmate the interview.
"And you will not discharge my
brother?9
mo"
looked after her as she walked
through the shadows to the house,
which she entered in silence. Soon
afterward l followed. My wife was
still awake.
1T is a beautiful night, Richard" !"
she said. did you enjoy your cigar"
(To be Continued.)
Boston Suggestion as to Etiquette.