Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-01-30


she saw it grow palers from the time
when their hands touched; she felt
that there passed between them,
tumultuous breath. She said to her
self that if such situation were pro-
duced some day, they would suffer an
accident which would loosen the flood
Of passion which had been so long
restrained, agitattng and increasing
in both hearts
Profoundly alarmed IN her con-
science, in her honesty and in her
friendship, she understood that only
radical heroic measure could arrest
Pierrepont and Beatrice in their al
most unconscious march toward the
abyss. It was thus that the idea came
to her of marrying Pierre to Miss
Nicholson, union which would have
the immediate advantage of keeping
him from France for a long time.
1t remained to cause the principals
interested to agree to this project.
.ss Nicholson was converted TO 1t
in advance; but would not Nine. d Ay-
maret find that Pierrepont and Beat
rice an opposition more insurmount-
able than they could consistently base
upon specious reasons. They con-
Quoted themselves scrupulously within
the bounds Of honest friendship
which Nine. d'Aymaret had prescribed
for them there. Why torment them?
Why deprive them Of that innocent
consolation Of their past sufferings?
Would they not accuse their TREND
of a gratuitous and tyrannical impor-
tunity, and would she not run the
risk of unproftably alternating their
precious affection?
One particular circumstance put an
end to the young woman's hesltatlon.
Her husband, the Vicomte dAymaret,
debilitated by excuses of all sorts in
which he INDUCED, had for some time
suffered from a distressing anem1a.
The doctors ordered for him a pro-
Ionged sojourn at Gilon, upon Lake
Geneva, and his wife naturally de-
sired to accompany him. She was to
go in few days. 1t was necessary
to undertake the supreme effort that
she meditated.
One morning she went to Bellevue.
When she was to the painters house
thew told her that Beatrice was in the
garden. and probably at the atelier OF
her husband. The atelier, as may be
remembered, was situated at some
distance from the house. There she
found Fabrice working at his panels,
which promised already to be truly
magnificent.
AS she complimented them to him:
"Perfect!" cried he gaily. You tell
me precisely what Pierrepont has but
just told me, and when your tastes
agree with his I am pleased"
els Pierrepont here?"
eyes: Beatrice is taking him around
the park. I believe they have just
descended into the Alec de Charmllles
You now the way?"
Perfectly"
Bv a winding path she reached the
garden below. It was about the last of
April, and the foliage was still in the
bud. At a distance she could see
Pierrepont and Beatrice walking
slowly side by side in the alice, and
whether she would or no, she heard
some of their words. They were not
mysterious nor confidential; yet, how
ever. when they perceived her their
faces betrayed a slight confusion.
After exchanging a few common
place words:
Monsieur de Pierrepont,' - said Nine
d'Avmaret, may l ask you to leave
me- alone for a few moments with
Beatrice? But first, by what train do
you intend returning to Paris"
"Why, by the three-twenty train, l
believe"
Excellent. That is my train. We
will return together, if you will.
st think that is well.
'T will meet you at the atelier in
few minutes"
Almost Immediately Pierrepont was
out of sight, and she bravely intro
duced to Beatrice the subject that
brought her there. She was careful to
avoid the least shade of reproach; she
accused herself of having been a
light, unforeseeing, bad counselor. Be
fore going away for perhaps several
months. she would repair her I'M
prudence. she knew that there was
nothing bad between her and the Mar
uuis, but at least their relations had
become somewhat incorrect, equiTo-
cal: they lacked sincerity. 1t was I'M
Doss:ble to believe that they should
TINS continue without having some
had effect upon the repose and even
the reputation of Beatrice or the honor
of her husband 1t was, therefore,
necessary to modify them, and the
marriage of Pierrepont would bear
the proper and effcacious diversion.
Though evidently hurt by that IN
expected suggestion, Beatrice well
coined it without revolt, or even max
ing an objection. Perhaps, at the bot
tom of her troubled soul, she was be-
ginning to fear herself that some one,
at any price, from that struggle that
she felt was growing more dolorous
and redoubtable every day. She au-
thorized Nine d. Aymaret to say to
the Marquis that she desired that
marriage; she only asked that he
should not speak of it to her, and that
if he should go, that he should not in
form her either of the time or OF the
day of his departure.
Z loved you, simply said Nine
d'Aymaret, embracing her before
leaving her; now yenerate you"
She left her in the Alice de Char