The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-06-24
CHAPTER w.



ally In the heart Of the forest In the
reign OF Philip lie Bel. II now could be
seen a few hundred yards from the
road leading from the village Of Sainte-
Genevieve to MoRthery. A mass OF
tnharmonious structures. 1t is dominat-
ed by a donjon.
1t was in this place. seemingly be-
longing entirely to the past that Pro
lessor Stangerson and his daughter In
stalled themselves TO lay the fOunda-
lions for the science of the future.
When NJ. Stangerson bought the es-
tate. fifteen years before the tragedy
with which we are engaged occurred,
the Chateau dn Glandier had for
long time been unoccupied.. Another
old chateau In the neighborhood, built
In the fourteenth century by Jean de
Belmont, was also abandoned, so that
that part Of the country was very lit
tie Inhabited. Some small houses on
the side OF the road leading to Corben,
an inn, called the Auberge du Don
ion. which offered passing hospitality
TO wagoners-these were about all 10
represent civilization in this out OF the
way part of the country, but Q rev
leagues from the capital.
But this deserted condition OF the
place had been the determining reason
for the choice made by M. Stangerson
and his daughter. M. Stangerson was
already celebrated. He had returned
from America, where his works had
made a great stir. The book which ne
rad published at Philadelphia, on the
'sDissociation Of Matter by Electric
Action" had aroused opposition
throughout the whole scientific world.
n. Stangerson was a Frenchman, but
Of American origin. Important mat
tsrs relating to Q legacy had kept MIN
for several years In the United States,
where he had continued the work be-
gun by him In France, whittier ne mad
returned In possession Of a large for
tune.
Mile. Stangerson was at the time
when her father returned from Amer
tea and bought the Chandler estate
twenty years of age. She was ex-
ceedingly pretty, having at once the
Partisan grace of her mother, who had
died in giving her birth. and all the
spIerdor. all the riches Of the young
American blood Of her parental grand
father, William Stangerson. A citizen
of philadelphia, William Stangerson
had been obliged to become natural
ICED in obedience to family exigencies
at the time of his marriage with
French lady.
Twenty years of age, a charming
blond, with blue eyes, milk white
and radiant with divine
health, MathIIde Stangerson was enc
of the most beautiful maFrlageable
girls In either the old or the new world.
It was her fathers duty, in spite OF
the inevitable pain which separation
from her would cause him, to think OF
her marriage, and he was fully pre-
pared for It. Nevertheless he buried
himself and his child at the Chandler
at the moment when his, friends were
expecting him to bring her out into 80
ciety.
Questioned by her friends, the young
girl replied calmly, where could we
work better than in this soiitudeT
For Mile. Stangerson had already be-
gun to coIlaborute with her father In
his work. 1t could not at the time be
imagined that her passion for science
would lead her so far as to refuse ell
the suitors who presented themselves
to her for over fifteen years. The
Young girls extreme reserve did not at
first discourage suitors, but at the END
of few years they tired Of their
quest.
One alone persisted with tender te-
nacity and deserved the name OF "eter-
nal fiance," a name he accepted with
melancholy resignation; that was M.
Robert Darzac. Nile. Stangerson was
now no longer young, and it seemed
that. having found no reason for mar
rying at five ead thirty, she would new
er find one.
Suddenly some weeks before the
events with which we are occupied
report--to which nobody attached any
importance, 30 Incredible did 1t sound
was spread about Paris that Mile.
stangerson had at last consented to
'crown" the inextinguishable flame of
M. Robert Darzac! 1t needed that M.
Robert Darzac himself should not deny
this matrimonial rumor to give 1t an
appearance of truth. SO unlikely did 1t
seem to be we'll founded. One day,
however, M. Stangerson, as he was
leaving the Academy Of Science, an
nounced that the marriage Of his
daughter and M. Robert Darzac would
be celebrated in the privacy of the
Chateau du Chandler as soon as he and
his daughter had put the finishing
touches to their report summing up
their labors ON the "Dissociation Of
Matter" The new household would in
stall itself in the Chandler, and the son
ln-law would lend his assistance In the
work to which the father and daughter
had dedicated their lives.
The scientific world had barely had
49, A. ..,.x..o,. F,ot,, thu affo0f Of fhia