Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-12-27
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY SARAH BERNHARDT.

III SAhA1 bEhNllARDI-
The Chateau de Ploerneuf was the
terror OF the Bretons. On passing it the
peasants made the sign of the cross and
muriuured under Their breath: "The
Chateau OF the Accursedl' Brambies
grew s.bout its boundary walls, which no
living soul dared pass. The Wallets moved
Ybout within like shadows, never rais-
ing their voices. No one ever spoke 10
the master.
Alone, the young Comte Robert found
grace before the lord of the manor, the
old Due de Kerberzoff, his uncle.
At this moment when the recital COM
mences, Robert was at the feet of the
old man, who, with livid face, glittering
eyes, and marks of fear on all his fea-
lures, sat in the great ducal chair listen
ing to what the specter of terror said to
him.
BY his side, upon porphyry column,
burned small golden lamp, ornamentcd
with precious stones, into the flame OF
which a tall negro poured, minute by
minute, drop of oil. In the old mans
rude hand cleaned an axe; the negro
would have paite with his life the least
forgetfuness of his duties.
The duke was paler than usual. His
long white hair chung to his brow, and
from his eyes great tears rolled down
upon his silver beard.
MY dear lord, are you in greater
paing Y asked Robert tenderly.
The duke misunderstanding still
"Christmas! Christmasi" sang voices
in the fields. Christmas! Christmas!"
sounded the church bells.
Then, drawing himself up, speeter-like,
he said
Listen, Robert, listen!"
For twenty years the old man had not
spoken.
The sepulchral voice .resounded in the
great hall; the arms struck by echo,
gave out an iron plant. The young
count ielt frozen with fear.
Twenty years ago l had SON
handsome, brave and generous. H. loved
Young, low-born girl, and wished to
we'd her; but refused-I could no. con
sent to such an outrage. My sor i'm
plored me, but / remained infexible. NY
| bazon would have been shattered by
such a shamel l was wrong, child-I
was wrong! Never be arrogantly proud,
! it is moral SIM"
| Sobs stifed the old dukes voice. But
presently he went on:
''The girl was beautiful and virtuous.
I offered her gold; she refused It, Then
/ | Lad her abducted and shut up in a
tower of the chateau. Months passed
awyu; my son remained faithful to his
VOWS, | faithful to my pride. l there
fore resolved to kin the girl. To that
end | sent her secretly message, advis-
ing her to escape A silken ladder was
conveyed to her, with infinitely detailed
! instructions as to how she was to fasten
it to her window. She prepared to fly,
and then | invented an Infamous trap!
Listen, Robert-listen! / caused the
stones which supported the window to
/ be loosened, so that it should give way
under her and she would be dashed upon
the marble pavement of the courtyard
below 1t was Christmas, the night of
that evil deed; and ever since l have
| slept in fear of God.
That same night | was transported
in dreams into an immense gallery of
clouds Vaults followed upon vaults in
millions Extending, ever extending. I'M
der these vaults hung little golden
| lamps, swaying gently. It would have
| taken years to count them. Some of
them burned brightly; Others were ex-
tinguished suddenly. Some shone with
violent glare; others flickered and
spluttered long while before they went
out.
Some OF these lamps were guarded by
angels, white and beautiful as beauty
itself, Others Of the lamps had angels.
black, ugly and malevolent, who seemed
to wait impatiently the moment when
the fame should expire.
What does all this mean?' / asked
NY conductor
All those amps are human souls
he replied. "Thcse which burn so bright
iy are the souls of newt born infants;
stainless angels guard them. Here are
the souls of tbcse who are at the age
wher, sorre think, the Spirit of Evil and
the Spirit OF Good contend for them;
but, at the supreme moment, the last
breath almost always returns to the
Spirit of Good"
Il then asked 10 be shown my own
lamp.
Come with me- said the strange be.
ing; and, leading me under innumerable
vaults, he made me traverse great dis
lance. At length, stopping me abruptly.
he said; Behold! there is your souip
Il was petrified with terror. 4 sim
gle drop of oil remained in my lamp;
end above il an angel with black wings
blew upon the flame to accelerate its eX
tinction. was seized with dread-over