Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-21
CHAPTER XIX


everything, so you can avoid prelimi-
nary explanations"
The recommended ton was useleSs-
The instant that RsouI went into
the little salon. the sight of his pale,
haggard face and wild eyes caused
Nine Fauvel to spring UP with clasped
hands, and cry out:
"Raoul, what has happened7 Speak.
my SOM"
The sound Of her tender. affection
ate voice acted like an electric shock
upon the young bandit He shook like
n leaf. But, at the same time. his
mind seemed 20. change. Louis was
not mistaken in his estimate Of his
companions character. Raoui was on
the stage. his part was % be PLAYED:
his assurance returned 20 him; his
cheating, lying nature assumed the
ascendant. and stified any be-tter feel
ing his heart.
This misfortune Is the last 1 shall
ever suffer. mother,~
Mime. Fauvel r7lshed toward h,.n.
and. sewing his hand. gazed search
ingly into bis eyes. a. if 10 read his
very soul.
What is the motter9 R0oul. nv
dear son, do tell me what troubles
you
He gently pushed her from him.
The matter Is, my mother" he
said IN a voice of heartbrolSen despair,
that ] am an unworthy. degenerate
eonl Unworthy 81 you. unworthy Of
my noble fsther!"
She tried 70 comfort him by SAYING
that his errors were all her fault. and
that he was. in spite Of all. the pride
OF her heart
"Alasl" he said. II know and Judge
,yseh. No one can reProach me for
ny infamous conduct more bitterly
nan does my own conscience. ] am
DOT naturally wicked. but only a mis-
cradle fool At times am like an
insane man. and am not responsible
for my actions All. my dear mother,
j would not be what I am. IL you had
watched over my childhood. But
brought up among strangers, with no
guide but my own evil passions. moth
ing 70 restrain me. no Que 90 ad-
wise me, no one TO love me, owning
nothing, not even my stolen name, I
am cursed with vanity and unbounded
ambition. Poor. with no one 20 as
sist me but YOU, I have the tastes and
vices Of millionaire's son
ALIAS for mel When I found YOU
the evil was done. Your affection,
your maternal love. the only true
happiness OF my life, could not save
me. /. who had suffered 80 much. en-
dured SO many Privations, even the
pangs of hunger. became spoiled 10y
this new life OF luxury and pleasure
which you opened before me. rushed
headlong into extravaganza, a. a
drunkard long deprived Of liquor
seizes and drains TO the dregs the first
bottle in his reach"
Mime. Fauvel listened. silent and ter
rified, 90 these words OF despair and
remorse, which Rooul uttered with
vehemence.
She dared not interrupt him, but
felt certain some dreadful piece of
news was coming.
Raoul continued in IA sad. hopeless
tone:
Yes, ! have been q weak fool. Hap
piness was within my reach. and
had not the sense 10 stretch forth
my hand and grasp IL. I rejected a
heavenly reality 70 eagerly pursue a
vain phantom. /, who ought 70 have
spent my life at your feet. and daily
striven 20 express my gratitude for
your lavish kindness. have made you
unhappy destroyed your peace of
mind, and instead Of being a blessing,
i have been a curse ever since the first
fatal day YOU welcomed me 70 your
kind heart. An. unfeeling brute that
I was, 10 squander upon creatures
whom I despised. a fortune, of which
each gold piece must have cost You
a tear, Too late. too iatei With You.
] might have been a good and happy
mani
He stopped. as il overcome by the
conviction OF his evil deeds, and
seemed as if about 10 burst into
tears
1T is never too late TO repent. my
son." murmured Nine. Fauvel, in COM
forting tones.
All. If / only could" cried Raoul;
-but no; il is too latel Besides, can
tell how long my good resolutions
viii last? This is not the hrst time
that ! have condemned myself: pitt
iessly. Singing remorse for each new
fault made me swear TO lead better
life, TO sin no more. What was the
result of these periodical repent
ancesi At the first temptation I for
got my remorse and good resolu-
tions. ! am weak and mean-spirited,
and you are not firm enough TO gov
ern my vacillating nature. While my
intentions are good, my actions are
villainous. The dssProportion between
my extravagant desires. and the
means of gratifying them, is too
great for me 10 endure any longer.
Who knows 10 what fearful length nv
unfortunate disposition may lead me
However, / will take my fate in my
own handsl" he finally said, with
reckless laugh.
'Oh. Raoull my dear SOM" cried
Nine. Fauvel. in an agony of terror,
explain these dreadful words. Am I
not your mother2 Tell me what dis
H.