The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-07-26
By
Francis A. Durivage.


Although his rejection was couched
in the most respectful terms, it reused
his worst passions, and he swore to
wreak a deadly vengeance on the rival
who prospered where he had failed.
The hand he could not win himself
should never be clasped in wedlock by
another's. In this temper of mind he
went to sea.
1t must be borne in mind that this
project of vengeance was a secret
locked in his own heart, to be divulged
in action, not in words. Therefore,
when, some months after the marriage,
the ensign returned from his cruise,
the incident did not create any alarm
in the breast of Madame Victorine de
Grantier.
One morning when she woke up she
missed her husband from her side, but
this caused her no surprise, for he was
in the habit of rising without disturb
ing her, dressing and then taking a
ride on horseback. But he always re-
turned to breakfast, which was served
punctually at eleven o'clock in the
forenoon. When, therefore, it came to
be nearly noon, and he did not make
his appearance, she was naturally un-
easy. His horse was very spirited, and
might possibly have thrown him, she
thought But on inquiry, it appeared
that the animal was in his stall, and
that Monsieur de Grantier had left the
house on foot.
Madame de Grantier ordered the
breakfast things removed after max
ing slight repast, and then took up
a book to while away the time until
her husbands return. At one o'clock
q visitor was announced-Capt. Paul
Beauregard, an officer in the French
guards. He was an intimate friend of
De Grantier, as well as of the lady,
and scarcely day passed without their
seeing him.
MY husband! Have you seen any
thing of him?" she asked
81 have been with him all the morn
ing, madame"
Where is he? Why did he not re-
turn with you? How has he been en-
gaged?"
Capt. Beauregard replied to the last
question:
"In an affair of honor, madame"
"a duel?"
Yes; and he has been wounded.
thought it best to prepare you for the
accident"
"He is dead" shrieked the unhappy
lady, as she fell back in convulsions,
for she had read the terrible truth in
the captains face.
Beauregard rang the bell and left her
in charge of her maid, while he went
into another room. 1t was agony bit
ter as the Pangs of death to listen to
her walls, and sobs, and shrieks; but
in an hour, Florette, the waiting maid,
pale, frightened, with swollen eyes, for
she, too, had been weeping bitterly,
came to say that Madame de Grantier
was calmer, and desired to speak with
the captain.
The officer found the lady white as
marble, but strangely quiet and col
lected.
Hector is dead?" she half asked,
half asserted.
Her friend dropped his eyes. The
answer was sufficient.
Now tell how this happened" said
the lady. Hector was kind, and gentle,
and courteous. He had no enemy
how could he have, for he never
wronged human being"
"That did not prevent his having an
enemy-a mortal foe-who last night
publicly insulted him, even struck him,
and thus forced challenge from your
husband"
"Ay, honor compelled Hector to draw
the sword. But the name of that vii
lain-the murderer"
"Raoul Maltravers."
He! The man whose hand I re-
jected, 0Oh! My poor, dear murdered
Hector. Why did we ever meet? Fatal
was the hour in which you saw and
loved mel Often have your lips told
me that | had made you the happiest
| of men. Little did you dream that
would give you death as well as love- y
81 implore you, madame" said the
captain, mot to view this tragedy, in
/ that light. An unforeseen calamity has
fallen on you, and my heart bleeds al
| sight of your distress. But l can dc
more than pity; can and will avenge
Hector. Raoul Maltravers dies by my
5 hand!"
Hold" cried the widow, with sud.
den and startling energy. 81 forbit
]. you to espouse this quarrel. l have
J, my own purpose Of vengeance, and NJ
4 man, not even you, shall be permitted
to stand between me and my predes
t tined victim. He has robbed me O.
D more than life, but | will punish him
was a fond, weak, gentle, loving
a happy girl. They who know me hence
: forth will know me as a tigress thirst
d ing for human blood. But no word o
:, this to others. Be my friend in thi
b extremity, and as you we're his tru
D and loyal friend TO the last moment.
Wish Iou 70 conducs The funeral ritsa