Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-23
SATURDAY. =. JUNE 2sRD, 1905

the same time. You suffer, 1 suffer
with you; pity you as a sister would
pity beloved brother"
"a sister," said Prosper, bitterly.
Eyes. that was the word you used the
day you banished me from your pres
snce. A sister, Then why during
three years did you delude me
with vain hopes? Was i broth
sr 60 you the day we went TO Notre
Dame de Fourvieres-that day, when.
at the foot of the altar, we swore TO
love each other forever and ever, and
you fastened around my neck a holy
relic and said: Wear this always for
my sake, never part from il, and it
will bring you good fortunel'"
Madeleine attempted to interrupt
him by supplicating gesture; he
would not heed il, but continued with
increased bitterness:
"One month after that happy day
a year ago-you gave me back my
promise, told me 20 consider myself
free from any engagement, and never
to come near YOU again. II l could
have discovered in what way I have
offended you. But no, you refused
70 explain. You drove me away, and
20 obey you / told everyone that l
had left you Of my own accord. You
told me that an invincible obstacle
had arisen between Us, and l be-
leved you, fool that I wasl The OBJ
stacle was your own heart. Madeleine.
/ have always worn the medal; but il
has not brought me happiness or good
fortune"
As white and motionless rs "A statue,
Madeleine stood with bowed head be-
fore the storm of passionate re
proach.
u told you 20 forget me-" she muir
INJURED
Forget" exclaimed Prosper, ex-
citedly, forget! Can I forget Is it in
my power 20 stop by an effort Of
will the circulation Of my blood? All!
you have never loved To forget, as
20 stop the beatings of the heart,
there is but one means-deathi"
This word. uttered with the fixed
determination Of desperate. reck-
less man, caused Madeleine 20 shud-
der.
"Misera BILE mani" she exclaimed.
ayes, miserable man. and a thou
sand times more miserable than YOU
can Imagine. You can never under
stand the fortunes I have suffered
when for year ! would awake every
morning. and say 90 myself; IT is all
over, she has ceased TO love met This
great sorrow stared me i'm the face
day and night in spite of all my ef-
forts 90 Gispcl il. And you speak OF
forgetfulucss. ] sought il at the bot
tom OF poisoned cups, but found il
not. / tried 20 eNtinguish this mem
DRY OF the past, that tears my heart
90 shreds like a devouring flame; in
vain. When the body succumbed. the
pitiless heart kept watch. With this
corroding torture making life a
burden, do YOU wonder that / should
seek rest which can only be obtained
by suicide?"
II forbid you 20 utter that word. IS
You forget. Madeleine. that you
have no right TO forbid me. unless You
love me. Love would make you all
powerful. and me obedient."
With an imperious gesture, Made
ieine interrupted him as if she wished
20 speak, and perhaps TO explain all,
80 eNculpate herself.
But a sudden thought stopped her;
she clasped her hands despairingly,
and cried:
MY Godl this suffering is beyond
endurance."
Prosper seemed 10 misconstrue her
words.
Your pity comes too late" he said.
There is no happiness in store for
one like myself, who has had a glimpse
of divine felicity, had the cup OF bliss
held 70 his lips, and then dashed TO
the ground. There is nothing left TO
attach me 10 life You have de-
stroyed my hottest beliefs: I came
forth from prison disgraced by my
enemies; what is TO become Of me?
Nainly do l question the future; for
me there is no hope of happiness. /
look around me 10 see nothing but
abandonment, ignominy, and de-
spairi"
Prosper, my brother, my friend. if
You only knew"
Il know but one thing, Madeleine.
and that is, that you no longer love
me, and that / love you more madly
than ever. Oh, Madeleine, God only
knows how love you!''
He was silent. He hoped for an
answer. None came.
But suddenly the silence was brok-
en- by a stified sob.
Ii was Madeleine's maid, who, seat
ed In a corner was weeping bitterly.
Madeleine had forgotten her pres
ence.
Prosper had been so surprised al
finding Madeleine when he entered
the room, that he kept his eyes fast
ened upon her face, and never once
looked about him 10 see if anyone
else were present
He turned IN surprise, and looked
at the weeping woman.
He was not mistaken; this neatly
dressed waiting-maid was Nina Clip
sy.
Prosper was so startled thai he be-