Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-06-29

stantial proofs in favor OF my pet theory
of the law OF compensation.
81 have always maintained that there
does not exist on earth being who is
constantly happy or unhappy and also
that sooner or later we are bound to ex-
plate an uprighteous pleasure while, In
the same way, an undeserved misfortune
brings with 1t its own reparation.
Latreville is a living proof OF my be-
lief"
Jacques" l interrupted, Il don't
doubt your philosophy, only should
like a few explanations in the present
instance, for | 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'Esparsl"
Who is now Nine. de LatrevilleY
Wait! Latreville was very much in
love, and begged that the wedding might
take place before his departure. But
his orders allowed of no delay, and he
was forced to embark, exceedingly sor-
rowful over the postponement 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 OK
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 and
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 DEspars.
They kept the news OF her death
from Latreville, for the poor fellow
could not have survived such blow, and
by each steamer they continued to send
a 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, 1t was not absolutely un-
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 1t was Louise who died, and tits
OSduHS WV 10 SbAi cAA'S
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 he
adores her and is happy. Now tell me,
do you still think the situation so terri
ble?"
mo, indeed" replied, much touched
by Jacques story. But do not know
which to admire the more; Nine. de La
treville's 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
they hear evoked the presence OF the
daughter who is no more!" "'
(which simply proves that the hu-
man race is not so bad as It Is made out
to be-" said Jacques as he left me to go
to dress.
At dinner time, when saw De Latre
vile enter the salon leaning on the arm
of his wife, who was radiant With happy
beauty, stood still in admiration. 1t
seemed to me that there, before me, was
the living embodiment OF charity and
love, and longed to tell her that knew
all and revereuced her as / would
saint.
She held out her gloved hand to me
and | kissed it with so deep an express
sion of respect that she OWNED my
thought and knew that shared her Sc.
cret.
Here is M. Maynan, DEAR" said she tc
her husband.
And in her glance l read a prayer that
l, too, understood.-From the French in