Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-02-06

P'SA anu uIu HOT hesitate 10
give to him that which was destined
Tor the house, and Calvat studied the
addresses Of the letters carefully
Since F'abrice never opened the let
tiers addressed to his wife, it was not
unlikely that the Marquis wrote to
Beatrice without taking exceptional
precautions. After several days of spy
ing, CalVat was struck by the number
OF letters which arrived at the villa
with this address: Madame la Vicomr
Jesse dAymaret, in care of Madame
jacques Fabrice. He also marked that
the handwriting seemed to be counter
feited. He decided to open one-with
the exception of the address, it was
entirely in the hand of Pierrepont
1t read as follows:
Dear Beatrice Yes, this existence
Of ignoble deceit and treason is IN
worthy of US. l would like to have you
feel as l do. AS long as it lasts our
happiness is but an Illusion, our love
but suffering, and have we not sufr-
cred enough? You can then well be.
lieve that I am equally incapable OF
desiring to find hypocritical words
with which to deceive my conscience.
We are culpable, 1 know it; but did
ever the crime of love nave like ex.
cuses? Was there ever between two
sincere and true hearts a series of
such fatalities? Yes, we are culpable;
but we are both victims, That which
is truly criminal and without excuse
is our persistence in THISTLE of shame
full duplicity. We must depart. I beg of
you, my beloved, to deign to consent.
Trust in me, all the measures have
a man to do have done that your ex-
lie may be an enchanting exile. I
love you.
Pierre.
When he had terminated the read
ing the face of Calvat wrinkled into a
hideous smile. He folded the letter,
opened the gate and went toward the
studio of Fabrice.
What, is it your" said the painter;
81 thought it was the Marquis who
was to como this morning.
mo, it is l." said Calvat; "hobody
but me. Ny DEAR" he continued, low
ering his voice little, "you will no
longer accuse me, trust, of being a
drunkard and liar. Chance had
placed in my possession a letter which
is very interesting for you. AS your
relation and friend-however much
it may pain met would be impossi-
be for me to communicate it to you.
You will understand when you have
read it."
'T will not read it," Fabrice ans
wered, pushing away the hand Of Cal
vat which held the letter. Get out OF
here this instant! And 1 forbid you
ever putting your foot within my
door"
"YOu will recall me- said Calvat,
'and, as I am without rancor, l shall
come at your first sign. That letter is
from Pierrepont and it is addressed to
your wife. will leave it with YOU"
He threw it upon the table and went
out of the studio.
The artist remained alone in fright
full perplexity. Motionless, petrified, ne
looked at the table and at the letter
upon the table. Then he walked with
a stiff step, the step of statue, up
to it. He seized the letter, still hesi-
tated. Made a movement to break 1t
open, then with quick decision he
unfolded it and read.
Calvat, however, passing in front OF
the house had perceived Beatrice
seated in the salon worrying by an open
window. He quickly approached her
and leaning slightly through the win
dow, he said:
Madame, I have the pleasure of in
forming you that at the time | am
speaking to you, your husband is get
ting ready to read the last letter from
your lover Good-day."
He continued his way to the gate.
As he was going to close it after him
some one at a distance made him
sign to leave it open. 1t was Pierre
Dont, who had arrived at the station.
They saluted. Calvat disappeared at
the angle of the street and Pierre
pont entered the villa.
Beatrice, under the str IKE Of the
terrible information that she had
received. had been struck dumb. She
had heard Calvat's words. She did not
comprehend their sense. Then a ter
ribIe light overspread her mind and
she understood. A letter from Pierre
pont was in the hands Of her husband.
She perceived with glance OF the
eye into the sinister chaos, all that
would come in a few moments from
the folds of that letter; dishonor,
shame, perdition, death. She closed
her eyes and saw no more for mo-
ment but darkness filed with falling
stars. She was suddenly awakened
from that bewilderment by The sound
of steps upon the gravelled walk. She
cast a look without, and with mex
pressible terror recognized the Mar
quis de Pierrepont who was passing
through the garden, going toward the
ateIier of F'abrice. She rose, then sud
denly, without reflection, without ar
rested design, uncontrollably drawn
on by the fear of an imminent conflict
between the two men, she threw aside
the tapestry which she held, descend
ed the steps running and walked with
precipitate steps toward the studio
which Pierrepont had just entered.
To be continued.
A HOT PACE.