The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-04-07

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approach to what then endured My
| cry heartstrings We're bound up in
hat woman. She like part OF my
| self. In separating from her, it SEEM
I'd to me that was tearing away part
| Of my own flesh. cannot describe the
| turious passions her memory stirred
within me. l scorned her and longed
| for her with equal yehemence. | hated
| her, and l loved her. And, to this
DAY, her detestable image has been
ever present to my imagination Moth
ing can make me forget her l have
| never consoled myself for her loss.
And that is not all: terrible doubts
about Albert occurred to me. Was
| really his father? Can you under.
stand what my punishment was, when
| thought to myself, I have, perhaps,
sacrificed my own son to the child OF
an utter stranger This thought made
me hate the bastard who called him
| self Commarin. To my great affection
Tor him succeeded an unconquerable
aversion. How often, in those days
struggled against an insane desire 20
Kill him! Since then l have learned
to subdue my aversion; but | never
completely mastered it. Albert, sir.
has been the best of sons Neverthe-
less, there has always been an icy
barrier between US. which he was I'M
able to explain. | have often been on
the point of appealing to the tribu-
nails, Of avowing all, of reclaiming my
legitimate heir: but regard for my
rank has prevented. recoiled before
the scandal. l feared the ridicule or
disgrace that would attach 10 my
name; and yet have not been able to
save il, from infamy."
The old nobleman remained silen,
after pronouuctns these words. NJ
Daburon said. In a voice rendered
more gentle by compassion:
| Sir, in the eyes of Heaven, as in the
eyes Of society, you have committed
a great sin; and the results, as you
see, are most disastrous. 1t is your
duty to repair the evil consequences
| y
! power"
Such Is my intention, sir, aud. may
| say so? my dearest wish.''
you doubtless understand me-"
continued M. Daburon.
eyes, sir" replied the old man, yes,
] understand YOU"
1T will be a consolation to you,;'
! added the magistrate, "to learn that
M, Noel Gerdy is worthy in all re-
spects OF the high position that you
are about to restore to him. He is
a man of great talent, better and
worthier than any one l know. You
tors. And finally, no one Of your
family has disgraced it, sir, for Wis
count Albert is not a Commarin.'
NO. rejoined the count quickly,
"a Commarin would be dead at this
hour; and blood washes all away"
The old noblemans remark set the
investigating magistrate thinking pro-
foundry.
"Are you then sure" said he, "of the
viscount's guilt?"
M. de Commarin gave the magis-
trate a look of intense surprise
II only arrived in Paris yesterday
evening" he replied, land am entire
ly ignorant of all that has occurred
l only know that justice would no,
proceed without good cause against a
man of Albert's rank. If you have
arrested him. it is quite evident that
you have something more than sus-
picion against him-that you possess
positive proofs. l am now no more
a witness for. than l was a moment
ago witness against. I desire only
to render what assistance l can to
justice, in accordance with my duty
The facts are these: Yesterday, after
having spoken to me of these cursed
letters, Albert began to set a trap tc
discover the t1uth-for he still had
doubts, Noel Gerdy not having OBJ
tanned the complete correspondence
An animated discussion arose between
US. He declared his resolution to give
way to Noel. l, on the other hand
was resolved to compromise the mat
ter, cost what it might. Albert dared
to oppose me. All my efforts to con.
vert him to my views were useless
Vainly tried to touch those cords in
his breast which l supposed the mos,
sensitive. He firmly repeated his in.
tention to retire in spite of me. de.
claring himself dissatisfied, if I would
consent to allow him modest com.
petence. I again attempted to shake
him, by showing him that his mar.
riage, SO ardently looked forward tc
for two years, would be broken off BY
this blow. He replied that he fell
sure of the constancy of his betrothed
Mademoiselle d'Arlanee"
This name fell like a thunderbolt
upon the ears of the investigating
magistrate. He jumped in his chair
Why had he undertaken this investi
cation? Could he preserve himself