Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-14


son" IL was her castaway SOM
This voice was SO like Gaston's that
she seemed once more 20 be hsteniog
TO the lover of her almost forgotten
youth.
1t seemed only yesterday that Gas
ton had pressed Der TO his faithful
heart; she saw him stin, saying, gent
":
In three years, Valentine! Wait
for mel"
Andre. her two sons. Madeleine
all were forgotten in this new-found
affection.
In her maternal love-her folly-she
did not SO much as glance at the
proofs which this young man was
abundantly provided with
From that moment she was mex
tricably sntangled in the tolls by
Clameran and Raoul de Layers. for
the plotter passed him of as her
nephew that he might visit the bank
er's wife with impunity.
No remorse for the past. no appre-
tensions FOR the future disturbed the
satisfied present. To her the future
was tomorrow. eternity was the six
teen hours which must elapse before
another interview.
She seemed 10 think that Gaston's
death absolved the past and changed
the present.
Her sole regret was her marriage.
Free. with no family ties. she could
have consecrated herself exclusively
10 Raoul. How gladly would she have
sacrificed her aftiuence TO enjoy power
~ with himl
She felt no fear that her husband
and sons would suspect the thoughts
which absorbed her mind; but she
dreaded her niece.
She imagined that Madeleine looked
at her strangely on her return from
the Hotel du Louvre. She must sus-
pect something. but did she suspect
the truth?
For several days she asked embsr-
raising questions as 20 where her
aunt went. and with whom she had
been during these long absences from
home.
This disquietude and seeming curl
osity changed the affection which
Nine. Fnuvel had hitherto felt for her
adopted daughter into positive dis
like.
She regretted having placed over
herself ,iCilant spy from whom she
could not escape. She pondered what
means she could take 70 avoid the pen
etratinC vatchfulncss OF a girl who
was accustomed TO read in her face
every thought that crossed her mind.
With unspealSable satisfaction she
solved the difficulty in a way which
She thought would please al parties.
She would have her married. and
thus removed from her path and her
sons.
Clameran espoused her idea, but
wanted 20 modify a.; il was HIM
self that ne proposed for the girls
hand. undertaking 20 shelve Bertomy,
60 whom she had been tacitly engaged.
and he promised, as q substantial in
ducemeut for the bankers wife 20
consent 20 this change. 20 transfer
60 Raoul al the dover that came with
the bride.
This time the creature In his talons
presumed 20 rebel. lie left her with
fear that his plans were not working
smoothly as before.
Clamcran had cause for fear. Nine.
Fauvel's determination was not
fcigned. She was firm in her resolve
20 confess.
YES" She cried. with the enthusi-
ssm Of noble resolution; yes, J will
tell Andre cverythinc,"
She believed he-s-fr % be alone.
but turned around suddenly at the
sound of footsteps. and found herself
face 60 face with Madeleine, who was
| pale and swelled-eyed from weeping.
You must obey this man." she
| quietly said.
II despise NJ dc Clameran, and
shall always regard him as the basesr
OF men; nevertheless, VIII marry
him. l will not suffer dishonor TO
! fail upon this house, which is my
home, while ! have power 10 prevent
IT. Am / not indebted 10 you for
more than life? What would now
be had YOU not taken pity on me2
\ factory girl in my native village.
You warmly welcomed the poor or
phan, and became mother TO her.
IL is not TO your husband that ] owe
the fortune which excites the cupid
~ OF this wicked Clameran? Are not
Abel and Lucien brothers 10 me? And
now, when the happiness of all who
have been loving and generous TO me
is az stake, do you suppose / would
hesitate? No. I will become the wife
of Clameran."
Then began a struggle OF self-sacri-
fee setween Nine Fauvel and her
niece as 10 which should be the vic
/ tim, only the more sublime, because
each offered her life TO the other, not
from any sudden impulse. but delib-
erately and willingly.
But Madeleine carried the day. fired
as she was by that holy enthusiasm
OF sacrifice which is the sustaining
element of martyrs.
Have courage; we two can fight