The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-11-27

effects. DO YOU ~
think" he added
once, that the beauty of a perfect
rose and it's exquisite perfume could
appeal to me more if l knew the eel
lular processes by which it was built
and went to it's roots to see the filth
and ordure by which it was nourished?
No, my friend, | take my rose for what
it is and what it is is what it seems to
be. Pm distinctly a superficialist."
So it was not so surprising that Bra
vien became entirely devoted to La
Marchesa. Nobody knew anything
about La Marchesa.
One or two of Bravien's intimates
thought first to warn him against the
growing infatuation They asked him
what he knew about her antecedents
Not a blamed thing" replied Bra
vien, "and l don't care continental
and l wouldn't thank anybody for tell.
ing me-"
1t was nearly year after that that
Bravien sat in La Marchesa' little
boudoir with the air of man thor.
oughly at home there. Bravien
stretching out hand touched cares.
singly the daintily formed ankle dis
played beneath a tumbled cloud OF
laces. She quickly drew the foot back
and there was a startled look in her
eyes. "Verboten," she said, "My
friend you are to be very good like
you at a distance tonight"
Il may not touch you?" he asked
mot by the least tip of your little
finger" she replied, demurely 81 an
Mademoiselle Nitouche. whom you
may worship from afar."
We'll, then, it shall be as you say,
he said Il will sit here and worship
you from afar. BY the Lord" he add
ed, with energy, Il believe l dc
worship you"
She laughed, incredulously "Wher
l am gone" she said, do you go to g
picture gallery and select the best
painted picture of woman and wor
ship that. All, man like you has
sources of consolation"
think that l care for you for youl
beauty, and l confess it may have
been that that first attracted me tc
you. But l have known you very
well indeed since then, my dear. II
is just you | love, not your beauty
What do you mean by When l an
gomez"
Il am going to leave you" she said
trembling. Tell me, my friend, dc
you think you would love me if my
beauty were gone instead?'
Il know l would he said. Shall
swear it to you?"
Very well, then, will tell you tc
comfort you that will soon return t
Jou. | am going to Paris, where af
fairs call me, but you must not come
with me. Stay and be patient"
Take that handkerchief from you
face" he said, suddenly and in a per
emptory tone.
You will excuse me-and keep away
rom me. There will be no farewells.
Suddenly she sprang to her feet
Wait for me there for ten minutes,
1t was a long ten minutes to Bra
vien, but at last the door that led t
the inner room opened and La Mar
chesa appeared, heavily yelled.
What is this?" said Bravien, start
ing up.
'It is to be test" she answered, IL
strange, faint voice, Look"
Bravien looked and with horror il
his eyes staggered back to the ottoman
and there he sat, his face hidden in hi
hands, his brain awhirl. Minute afte
minute passed with no sound but thu
ticking of the little clock on the man
tel. Then he felt soft hand laiC
"aressingly on his head-and he shud
dered.
FAREWELL"
1t was late in the afternoon of tn,
same day when his man, entering hi
room, found him pale and disordere'
staring blankly before him.
"a note for you, sir"
Bravien took the tiny billet from hi
hand and when the man had left tn,
room, tore 1t open and read
1T is farewell, after all. You will
never see me again, nor you. w,
have been happy together and | nigh
lave held you longer, but l showed yol
the roots Of the rose. Oh, but tn,
prize you tempted me with was to,
great-to be truly loved! Oh. fool
Well. it is past, and forever. l. too
am disillusioned. You saw my fac,
and in that moment saw your soul
The letter huttered through Bra
Viens fingers to the ground.