The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-05-20

stole to be genuine.
But replied Jacques, I assure you
that De LatrevilIe is not so unfortu-
nate as you think. In the first place, he
is beginning to get used to his infrm-
ity. and time always brings with it 8
singular amelioration. And then he
has a wonderful consolation in the af-
lection and devotion Of his wife, which
many another man who can see might
well envy him.
Granted, hut ne might have an
equally charming and devoted wife
without being blind
Possibly, but it was thanks to his
if trinity that he married Nine. de Latre'
vile. -
What do you mean?" asked, much
interested.
Well said Jacques, meditatively
"you should know the story OF their
marriage. 1t is one Of the most sun
stantial proofs in favor of my pet theory
of the law of compensation.
Il 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, ID
the same way, an undeserved misfortune
brings with it it's own reparation.
Latrevi3le is a living proof of my be-
lief"
Jacques | interrupted, i don't
doubt your philosophy, only ! should
like a few explanations in the present
instance, for l am absolutely ignorant
as to how LatreVille's story can come
to the aid of your ingenious, if not con-
soling, theory
"0h, true, / forgot you did not know.
Well, listen and then you cans5udge
for yourself. When our friend left with
his battalion for the soudan he had just
become engaged to Mile. Jeanne
d'Espars!s
Who is now Nine. de Latreyille?"
Wait! Latreyille 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-
rowfuI over the postpenement of his de-
sires.
He acquitted himself very brilliant
ly i'll 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 fred by the blacks,
and they took him off the field in a
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 We're fighting over him, his fancee
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 LatreyiIle, for the poor fellow
could not have survived such a blow, and
by each steamer they continued to send
a letter. il which the beloved fancee
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 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 devoteely and whose memory was his
refuge in the long months of suffering:
for him it was I ee....iisse 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 he
adores her and is happy. Now tell me.
DO you still think the situation 50 terri
bIaSa
NO. indeed replied, much touched
by Jacques story. But / do not know
which to admire the more; Mime. de La
treyiile'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 saleh leaning on the arm
Of his wife, who was radiant with happy
peaagy, stood still in admiration 1t
seemed fe me that there, before me, was
the living embodiment of charity and
love, and Ionged to tell her that 1 knew
All and TeVerenced her as L would
saint
She held out her gloved hand to me
and / kissed it with SO deep an express
SIOu u ltsp6Ct that she owned my
thought and knew that shared her Sc
cret.
Here is NJ. Maynan, dear, said sheto
her husband
And in her glance I read a prayer that
I, too, unoerstood.-From the French il
II. Y. Sun.
r. case Of q hand-to-hand fight this,
IT IS feared. might be demoralizing to
the American troops. TO correct this