The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-11-01

DSItuS ludt lOVeQ uGT! l owned
that loved her-and when / left for
Paris we We're secretly engaged.
Mon Dieu!s Now l worked indeed!
To win this girl for my own, to show
myself worthy OF her innocent faith,
supplied me with the most powerful
incentive in life. In the Quarter they
regarded me first with ridicule, then
With wonder, and, finally, wiz respect
For my own enthusiasm did not fade
lie has turned over a new Leaf" they
sad, he means to be famous!" 1t
was understood. No more excursions
for Silvestre, nc more junketings and
recklessness! l was another man
my ideal Of happiness was now wife
and home.
For year I lived this new life. l
progressed. Men-whose approval was
cachet-began to speak of me as
one with a future. In the Salon
picture Of mine made something of
stir. How / rejoiced, how grateful
and sanguine l was!
said that it was not too soon for
me to speak now; l had proved my
mettle, and. though l foresaw that
her father would ask more before he
gave his consent. | was, at least, JUS
tilted in avowing myself. l telegraph
ed to- my mother to expect me.
On the way to the station l noticed
the window of a florist; / ran in to
bear off some lilies for Berthe. The
shop was SO full OF wonderful flowers
that, once among them, l found some
difficulty in making my choice. Hence,
| missed the train; and, rather than
walk about until the next, returned
TO my studio incensed by the delay.
A letter for me had been just de-
livered. 1t told me that on the preyi-
Gus morning Berthe had married my
brother.
| could have welcomed a pistol shot
my world rocked. Berthe lost, false.
Gregoire's wife! reiterated it, | said
it over and over, was stricken by it
and yet, could not realize that ac-
tually it had happened
Oh. / made certain of 1t later, be-
lieve mel was no hero of feuille-
ton, to accept such intelligence with
out proof! l assured myself of her
per1dy, and burnt her love letters one
by cne; tore her photographs into
shreds-strove also to tear her image
from my heart.
A year before | should have rushed
to the cafes for forgetfulness, but now,
as the shock subsidized, I turned fever
lshly to work. For months | persist
ed, denying myself the smallest re-
spite, clinging go a resolution which
proved vainer daily. Were art to be
mastered by logged endeavor.
should have conquered; but alas!
thought could compel myself to paint,
could not compel myself to paint
well. l had fought temptation fer
half a year, worked with my teeth
clenched, worked against nature, work
ed while my pulses beat and clamored
for the draughts of dissipation, which
promised a speedier release. l recog-
nized that my work had been wasted,
that the struggle had been useless
broke down.
need say little of the months that
followed--it would be a record of de-
gradations and remorse; alternately, /
fell, and was ashamed. I shuddered
at the horrors l had committed.
One afternoon when I returned to
my rooms, from which / had been
absent since the previous day, / heard
from the concierge that visitor await
ed me. climbed the stairs without
anticipation. My thoughts were slug
gish, my limbs leaden, my eyes heavy
and blcodshot. My visitor was Berthe
think nearly a minute must have
passed while we looked speechlessly
in each others face-her's convulsed
by entreaty, mine dark with hate.
Forgive me-" she gasped, Il have
come to beseech your forgiveness! Can
you not forget the wrong did your
DO look as IL had forgotten p
4 was inconstant, cruel, cannot ex-
cuse myself But, Oh, Silvestre, in the
name of the love you once bore me,
have pity on us! Reform, abjure your
evil courses! Do not, implore you,
condemn my husband to this abyss OF
deprayity; do not wreck my married
life!"
| Now I understood what had pro-
cured me the honor Of q visit from
this woman. and | triumphed devil
ishly that was the elder twin.
Madame" | answered, Il think that
II oWe you no explanations bit shall
say this: the evil courses that you
deplore were adopted, not vindictiveiy,
but in the effort to numb the agony
that you had made me suffer. You
but reap as you have sown.''
Reform!" she sobbed. She sank On
her knees before mo 'Silvestre, ia
mercy to us. reform!s
4 shall never reform" said IN
dexibly. Il will grow more abandon
ed day ~ day ny past faulta snail