El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-01-09
The Useless Question
BY J. H. Roseborne.

WE EXPRESSED our surprise
NJ that marquis de Bar did not
laugh like the rest Of US at
the witty attacks upon the feminine
sex by Navere, the woman hater, but
he said:
Woman defends love as we defend
honor, often with greater heroism. be-
cause the sacrifices she makes are
less apparent, and very seldom under
stood. When I was still quite young I
saw>an example which forever robbed
me Of the desire to ridicule women
MY. uncle count de Bar. had taken
lis wife I was 6 younger son, and my
parents saw IN the counts expressed
wish a stroke of luck for me, the
count having no children of his own.
Life IN the old chateau de Bar SEEM
ed glorious to me. At times we lived
in seclusion as If in a monastery. at
other times the castle was thronged
with a gay and brilliant crowd.
Though I was only II soon became
my unele's best friend and had his full
confidence. I was the first one who
knew that he was in love with Jacque-
lin de Tere1les, whom I myself thought
the prettiest and nobIest woman had
ever met. They called me a fool be-
cause I helped to throw my own
chances away. but 1 shrugged my
shoulders. I cared for no inheritance
but love and affection.
"The first days after the wedding
were delightful The young wife
brightened our lives, being nobler and
more kindhearted than either of u.s.
The count adored her and she seemed
to love him with all her heart.
But after while my uncle seemed
to grow melancholy and his wife seem
cd to feel sad. I learned later that a
life of perfect happiness is dangerous
to happiness itself, because nature
Graves contrast and creates contrast
with the elements at its command,
sometimes coarse and vulgar, some
tunes subtle and indefinable.
These two had fulfilled that demand
Of nature They lived in separate
apartments and sometimes did not meet
Tor long time. When they did they
seemed as happy as ever.
"One night when 1 had been asleep
for some hours 1 was suddenly awak- |
ened by my uncle. 1 stared 1T him IN |
surprise as he stood at my bedside. His |
face was flushed and his eyes wild
Get up, Pierre he said. Il want |
you"
hurriedly put on my clothes without
asking a single question
'Jacqueiine is deceiving me- he
gasped. AT first I doubted, but now
am sure
Jacqueline? I exclaimed. oh, it is
she could not deceive you.
She loves you too much
Yes, she tells you that, because
you are as simple minded as I am, but
you will see proofs OF her unfaithful-
ness tonight. For some weeks this
man Fernand has always been making
he T Ior- .r,-so go
with these words he pulled aside
curtain and pointed to the wing of the
chateau where his wifes apartments
we're. It was moonlight. Suddenly
Erembled, for l saw q shadowy form
,ross the courtyard and disappear
through q. door IN the wall.
There you see,' said my uncle that
vas he. Fernand de Montreaux. He
eft now. He has the key OF the little
gate. Come along with me-
Brokenhearted 1 obeyed. He picked
ID q lantern and rudely entered his
yife's bedroom.
''She gave cry of terror. can see
Ter still, prettier than ever in her lace
lightgown, her pale face framed by
Ter dark hair. She stared at my un-
lie and exclaimed:
What is it? Is anybody sick?
Yes he replied; somebody has
zen poisoned
Who? she cried
You he roared. you Jacqueline the
the shameless dishonored.'
Her pale face turned even paler. but
er eyes looked at him so steadfastly
hat for a moment he was confused.
But his insane jealousy returned with
ouble force
He raised his arm as if to strike
er, but not for a moment did she
ever her beautiful eyes and In voice
I pain, mingled with sorrow, she ask
d calmly +,
Do you believe what you are say :,
ngT
THE counts mad jealousy had reach
point when nothing could make
ny impression on his mind
Dare you deny that Montreaux has
Ist left this room7 /
She looked straight into his blood {