Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-23

OF ner lover, mad neart him swear
that he could never love any woman
but Madeleine. that IL his love were
not reciprocated he would kill him
self. as he had nothing else to live
for.
Prosper could judge of her suffer
ings by his own. For she was wound
ed not only in the present, but in the
past. What must be her humiliation
and anger on hearing the miserable
part which Prosper, in his disap-
pointed love, had imposed upon her2
He was astonished that Gipsy-vio-
lence itself-remained silently weep
ing instead of rising and bitterly de-
nouncing him.
Meanwhile Madeleine lad succeed
ed in recovering her usual cslmncss.
Slowly and almost urconsciously,
! she had put on her bonnet and shawl.
which were lying on the sofa.
Then she approached Prosper. and
said:
"Why did you-come here? We both
have need of all the courage we can
command. You are unhappy, Prosper;
l am more than unhappy. / am most
| wretched. You have "a right 10 COM
plain; 1 have not the right to shed
tear. While my heart is slowly
| breaking, ] must wear a smiling face
You can seek consolation in the
| bosom of friend; can have no CON
| fidant, but God
Prosper tried TO murmur reply,
but his pale lips refused to articulate;
he was sitting.
Il wish to tell YOU" continued
Madeleine, that ] have forgotten
nothing. But oh, let not this knowl-
edge give You ony hope; the future IS
blank for as. but if YOU love me you
viii live. You will not. know. add 10
/ my already heavy burden of sorrow,
the agony Of mourning your death,
For my sake. live: live the life OF a
good man, and perhaps the day will
come when I can Justify myself in
your eyes. And now, Oh my brother,
oh my only friend. adieul adieu,"
She pressed a kiss upon his brow,
| and rushed from the room. followed
10y Nina Gypsy.
be awalling from troubled dream.
lie tried TO think oyer what had just
| happened, and asked himself If he
were losing his mind. or whether he
had really spoken TO Madeleine and
seen Gypsy?
He was Obliged 20 attribute all
this 10 the mysterious power OF the
strange man whom he had seen for
the first time shat very morning.
How did he gain this wonderful
power OF controlling events 20 suit
his own purposes?
He seemed TO have anticipated ev-
Ierything. 20 know everything. He was
acquainted with Cavaillon. He knew
all Madclcirc's movements; he had
made even Gypsy become humble and
submissive.
Thinking all this. Prosper had
/ reached such degree Of eXaspera-
ton. that when NJ. Nerduret entered
the little parlor. he STROBE toward
him white with rage, and in harsh,
threatening voice, said 10 him:
who are you2"
The stout man did not show any sur
prise at this burst OF anger. but quiz
city answered;
~ friend of your fathers, did you
not know ftp"
This rs no answer, monsieur;
have been surprised into being inhu-
| enced 10y stranger. but now"
DO you want my biography what
l have been, what / am. and what
may be? What difference does it
make 20 YOU? l told YOU that would
save YOU; the main point is that am
saving you"
still l have the right 10 ask by
what means you are saving me-"
What good VIII IL do YOU TO know
what my plans are?''
"In order TO decide whether / will
accept or reject them"
But suppose l guarantee success?''
THAT is not sufficient, monsieur. l
do not choose 10 be- any longer de-
prived OF my own free viii, 10 be eX-
posed without warning, TO trials like
those / have undergone to-day. \
man of my age must know what he is
doing?"
1 y man OF your age, prosper, when
he is blind, takes a guide, and does
not undertake 20 point out the way
TO his leader"
The half-bantering. half-commis-
Grating tone of NJ. Nerduret was not
calculated 10 calm Prosper's irrita-
tion.
THAT being the case, monsieur -
he cried, Il viii ihank you for your
past services, and decline them for
the future. as have no need of them.
II l attempted To defend my honor
and my life, il Was because l hoped
that Madeleine would be restored TO
me. / have been convinced to-day
that all is al an end between us; 1
retire from the struggle, and care not
what becomes OF me now"
Prosper was so decided, that NJ.
Nerduret seemed alarmed.
You must be mad" he finally said.
NO, unfortunately I am not. Made
leine has ceased TO love me, and of
what Importance is anything else?"