St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-06-03


But replied Jacques, 4 assure yo1
that De Latreville is not SO unfortu
nate as you think. In the first place, b
is beginning to get used to his infirm
lity, and time always brings with it
singular amelioration. And then b.
has a wonderful consolation in the at
lection and devotion OF his Wife, which
many another man who can see nigh
we'll envy him"
Granted, hut ne might have al
equally charming and devoted wife
without being blind"
Possibly, but it was thanks to hi
ir trinity that he married Nine. de Latre
WILLIE
What do you mean?" l asked. mucl
interested.
Well said Jacques, meditatively
you should know the story OF theil
marriage. 1t is one Of the most sub
stantial proofs in favor Of my pet theory
OF the law of compensation.
Il have always maintained that there
does not exist on earth a being who is
constantly happy or unhappy. and also
that sooner or later we are bound to ex.
plate an uprighteous pleasure while, il
the same way, an undeServed misfortune
brings with it its own reparation
Latrevi;ie is a living proof of my be.
lief"
Jacques" l interrupted, Il donI
doubt your philosophy, only l should
like few explanations in the present
instance, for l am absolutely ignorant
as to how Latrevilles story can come
to the aid of your ingenious, if not con-
| soling, theory"
"Oh, true, forgot you did not know.
Well, listen and then you can judge
| for yourself. When our friend left with
his battalion for the Soudan he had just
become engaged to Mile. Jeanne
d'Espars!"
Who is now Nine. de Latreville?"
wait! Latreville was very much in
love, and begged that the wedding might
take place before his departure. But
bis orders allowed of no delay, and he
was forced to embark, exceedingly sor-
rowful over the postpcnement OF his de-
sires.
He acquitted himself very brilliant
ly in the Soudan. like the brave fellow
that he is, and was named for promo
ton for his heroic work at the time of
the taking Of Nombo. 1t was certainly
what he deserved, as well as the cross
that came with it. for that very day
Latreville was hit in the head by one
of the last shots fired by the blacks,
and they took him off the field in
frightful condition.
For months he lay between life aud
death, and finally remained totally blind
without the least hope of ever being
cured. Then. at that time that the doc
tors were fighting over him, his fiancee
was suddenly taken sick with typhoid
fever, and soon after she was carried in
her white coffin to sleep her last sleep
in the tomb of the D'Espars.
They kept the news of her death
from Latreville, for the poor fellow
could not have survived such a blow, and
by each steamer they continued to send
letter. in which the beloved fiancee
said she was waiting patiently for him
to get strong and come back to her, and
that she was loving him always.
And, indeed, it was not absolutely I'M
true, for the beautiful woman whom you
met just now, and whose name was
then Louise d'Espars had taken her
sisters place and offered herself for the
comforter and solace that the poor dead
girl could never be. and the blind man
had never known the difference!
1T is two years now since Latreville
came back and was married and during
that time no one has ever betrayed the
generous subterfuge. He believes that he
still has the sweetheart whom he loved |
so devotedly and whose memory was his |
refuge in the long months of suffering;
for him it was Louise who died, and it is |
Jeanne who is still alive.
Thus the crushing sorrow that await !
d him upon his return has been spared |
him. His wife surrounds him with the |
deepest tenderness and care and ne |
adores her and is happy. Now tell me,
do you still think the situation so terri
ble?"
mo, indeed" l replied, much touched |
by Jacques story. But l do not know
which to admire the more; Nine. de La
tNvilles sublime devotion or the deli
cate affection Of those who planned the
loving plot and keep the secret so rigidly
while their hearts are torn each time
hey hear evoked the presence of the
laughter who is no mOre!'
Which simply proves that the hui
nan race is not SO bad as it is made out
Q be-" said Jacques as he left me to go
% Dress
At dinner time, when saw De Latre-
lille enter the salon leaning on the arm
If his wife, who was radiant with happy
'eauty, stood still in admiration. It
seemed to me that there, before me. was
he living embodiment of charity and
owe, and longed to tell her that knew
III and reverenced her as would a
aint. /
She held out her gloved hand to me
nd l kissed it with SO deep an express
ion of respect that she OWNED NV
bought and knew that shared her Sc
ret.
Here is M. Maynan, DEAR" said she to
Ter husband.
And in her glance I read a PRAYER thai
. too, understcod.-From the French in
I. Y. Sun.