The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-03

wrath"
Are you laughing at me with such
stuff" asked Cleante. This is foolery."
You will draw some heavy judgment
on your head with such language as
that" responded Orgon Indignantly.
Finding Cleante mistaken and deter
mined to declare his opinion of Tartuffe,
orgon said good morning hastily,
turned on his heel and vanished.
Tartuffe, who was made acquainted
with all occurrences by the blindly trust
ing Orgon, sadly deplored Cleante's ten
denotes and limited that he was a loose
liver and a man with dangerous prin-
ciples socially and politically.
Bit by bit he succeeded in closing the
house to Orgon's friends. Bit by bit he
managed to become his patrons only adj
wiser and confdant. Among others whose
ways Of life filled the good Tartuffe with
deep regret was VALERIE. who was engaged
to Marianne. Until Tartuffe appeared on
the scene, Orgon had loved VALERIE and
looked forward with delight to the day
when he could call him son." but now,
looking at him through Tartuffe's specta-
cles, he beheld in him young man who
was fast going on the road to ruin.
One day Orgon called Marianne into his
study. "I have always found you of a
sweet disposition said he. and, Mari
anne, you have always been very dear to
me-"
Marianne, who had a deep and abiding
affection for her father, despite the diff
ferences that had arisen constantly since
Tartuffes entrance into the household,
thanked him with eyes that filled with
tears as she looked at his simple, kind and
generous face. Il have no dearer wish
than to please YOU" said she.
Rightly spoken, my dear daughter"
said Orgon. Tell me, what do you say
of our guest, Tartuffe?"
WHO, II" asked Marianne, perplexed.
YOU" said Orgon. BE careful how
you answer"
"Alasl" replied Marianne. unwilling to
pain her father, IT will say anything you
please of him."
You speak wisely" said Orgon. Then
say that it would be happiness to you to
see him, with my appreciation, become
your husband"
Marianne drew back with surprise IT
feel nothing of the kind, father" said she
at last, recovering her wits. You would
not have me tell such falsehoodr'
''I wish it to be the TRUTH" said Orgon,
land 1t is sufficient for you that 1 have
decided it should be So" Aroused by the
repugnance in Maranne's face, he con-
tinued sternly: IT intend to unite Tar
30 fofra I az resolved
he should be your husband!'
In vain Marianne wept and beseeched
her father to keep faith with VALERIE. He
left her angrily at last vowing that the
engagement with Tartuffe should be made
without delay.
VALERIE FASTENED to the house when he
heard the news and Marianne pledged him
her unalterable love and promised that
she would not consent to become Tar
tuffes wife Dorine, her maid, who had
been in the household so long that she
assumed the privilege of speaking as she
pleased to all, advised them to do nothing
to increase Orgons obstinacy.
"Acquiesce in this marriage" said she
to Marianne "Then we will find ways to
nut it off Sometimes you will complain
of illness. The next time you will put
forth the excuse that you have seen an
evil omen. They cannot possibly make
Won his wife unless you say yes. Mean
time I will see your stepmother and ask
her to speak to Tartuffe. Do you know,
I think that he feels tenderness for her.
That would be fine thing!
Elmire consented to demonstrate with
the unwelcome guest, and sent Dorine
to ask him to wait on her. As soon as
Dorine delivered her message Tartune
called his servant and ordered: IF any
body comes to see me. say that l am
gone to the prisons to distribute aims"
Having made this remark for Dorine's
benefit, who, however. heard 1t with
shameful sheer, he FASTENED with re-
markable celebrity to keep the appoint
ment to which Elmire had hidden him.
"I wished to speak to you in private"
said Elmire, land 1 am glad to be able
to see you alone"
ct also am delighted" replied Tar
tuffe, jumping at a conclusion. 1T is
very sweet for me- madam, to find
myself alone with you"
them. All my zeal comes from an
anxiety for your good" he declared.
ALLOW me the cherished favor Of"
.Stopi You hurt my hand~ cried Ell
mire, stepping backward.
Tartuffe followed her. Entirely de-
ceived by her manner and ignorant that
her evident agitation was due to her
effort to suppress her rising anger.
he burst into a vehement declaration
of love, never doubling that the beau
tiful woman before him had been won
by his charms of face and figure.
with me your reputation runs no
risk" he concluded. These court gal
lants on whom most women dote are
boastful. Men like me take such care
Of their regulations that 1t is a war
rant to the woman who accepts our
hearts"
Elmire had been too much bewil
dered and surprised to speak; but wit en-
the hypocrite had ended. she asked him
what he would say If she were to tell
her husband. Seeing her opportunity,
she said: 'I will keep this secret from
my husband only on one condition-that
you forward honestly and sincerely the
marriage between VALERIE and Mari
anne"
mo. madam, no." cried Damis, rush
ing into the room. Il approached the
door in time to hear the william. 1 will
undeceive my father This imposter has
lorded it here long enough"