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About The American. (Omaha, Nebraska) 1891-1899 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1898)
THE AMERICAN. THE WANDERING JEW. l.ttUn ,i m. v.mi r t t j l thsl 1nMtt l U pl.l ,t h U xulfsrly Un-l itha'tisMMei.t; t-HT, with. f:slt this to- ( MAI 1 I K I, XI. t.mi ki ) 'About lmtv fM Mlif, nim r,HV, the prince Uy ltl on lU er'n,l, l.Viig iloli upon thU filghtful spectacle. Tin tirc, rendered fur ion by the 1 1 i tf lur little ms, i7ed the hands of the hlrV, who, from the interior i f I li den, strove to support the Imnk of the lice, only rampart, whiM he uttend tli tno!t liiinrntaldi oulrrii. "It U horrible !' sM lli count "(Mi I go on ! pray jp on 1" exclaimed Adrimne, with excitement; "you will see what run ho achieved by the heroism of ,.!n,n1' Tli count pursued: " '.Suddenly the prince seired hit dagger tatween It is loflli, fastened hi sash to h Mock of stone, took his axe in one hand and with the other slid down thin substitute for a rope; falling n few steps from (ho wild beast, ho ipniig upon M r, and, swui a iniuing, ucu i her two mortal strokes, just nn the Muck, Inning his strength, was ahout I) drop the trunk of tho tree, sure to have been lorn to pieces.' " "And you are astonished at his rose in M unco with the deini-god, to whom fublo itself ascribes 110 moro generous devotion!" cried tho young lady, with still increasing excitement. "I am astonished no longer, I only admire," ssid tho count, in a voice of emotion; "and, at these two nohlo instances of heroism, my heart beats with enthusiasm, as if I were still twenty." "And tho noble heart of this traveller beat like yours at the recital," said Adrienne; "you will see." "What renders so admirable tho intrepidity of the prince, is, that, according to the principle of Indian castes, the life of a slave is of no import ance; thus a king's son, ricking his life for the. safety of a poor creature, so generally despised, obeyed an heroic and truly Christian instinct of charity, until then unheard of in (his country." " 'Two such actions,' said Colonel Drake, with good reason, 'are sulTicicnt to paint tlio man;' it is with a feeling of profound respect and admir ation, therefore, that I, an obscuro traveller, have written tho name of Princo ljulinu In my book; and at the samo time, I have experienced a kind of sorrow, when I liavo asked myself what would bo tho future futo of this prince, buried in the depths of 11 savage country, always devastated by war. Ho ver humble may bo the houiago that 1 piy to this character, worthy of tho heroic age, his name will tt least he repented with gen erous enthusiasm by all those who have hearts that bent in sympathy with what is great and noble.'" "And just now, when I read those simple and touching lines," resumed Adrienne, "I could not forbear pressing my lips to tho name of the trav eller." "Yes; he is such as I thought him," cried the count, with still moro emotion, as he returned the book to Adrienne, who rose, with n gravo and tout hing air, and said to him: "It was thus I wished you to know him, that you might under stand my adoration; for this courage, this heroic goodness, I had guessod beforehand, when I was mi involuntary listener to his conversation. From that moment, I knew him to be generous as intrepid, tender and sensitive n energetic and resolute; and when I saw him so marvellously beutiful so different, in the noble character of his countenance, and even in the styleof his gar mcnts, from all I had hitherto met with when I saw tho impression that I hud made upon him, and which I perhaps felt still moro violently I knew that my whole life was bound up with his love." "And now, what are your plans?" "Divine, radiant as my heart. When he learns his happiness, I wish that Djuhna should fuel dazzled as I do, so as to prevent my gazing on my sun; for I repeat, that until tomorrow will bo a century to me. Yes, it is strange I I ihoul have thought that after such a discovery, I shout feel tho want of being loft alone, plunged in an ocean of delicious dreams. Hut no I from this time till to-nivrrow I dread solitude I feel a kind of feverish impatience uneasy ardent Oh! where Is the beneficent fairy, that, touching me with her wand, will lull rue into slumber til to-morrow I" "I will be that benefioeul fairy," said the count mulling. "You ?" "Yes, I," "And how so?" "Tho power of ray wand is this; I will relieve you from a portion of your thoughts by making them materially visible." "Pray explain yourself." "And my plan will have another advantage for )imi ri or tvulhlnjj Y" ir di on aunt, tin I her r iialU odious fti r U, are pretting the im port 11, at jo ir ri !m with Ir. IUli luii r ' "Was ltt Ut I 11 by the dttnrntnt of my mini," Mi I A drierine, w ah a smile; " t peeled thai." It UsH.pl I enough; lnt, as your resolution to . . li 1 e el ,nr in 1V in in v 1 11 Lin ,f .mi m,! ..v lio'ile, ym nuisi ie t lint there !U be no want of Ttott tevly to bt lieietbe uttl abunrd ml. umiiv p.vMii'.'e," "I b"p' n much. To pass for tnsd in the ryt-s if f,,d in xrry lUtleriiig." "V , but I prove to f.mln HihI they fools, ami that in (he fin e of all Par is, is much more amus ing. Now , pi0 begin to u)k of yonr abcenct', Von liave given un your Uilv ride: for some MrJliUr fi ' The count pre. the fife, still gUiuiii wxef bi shrill Ur, h i i t ldm: "Alt' )m ere he r, my b lievoUnt jentlemaiiV1 Prsy, sir, lrew a little nt strr," I I Adrienne with a iiiiwkto suiiU. "lUtt of frirndiaud inohl of phUonphrr is H delrel ene. in J of nil frsnl and UImIio,! I have In psy you thousand romplinirnts." "I ere pi anything from you, my desr voting li ly, eMMi though undeserved," ssid the Jesuit, trying to smile, nod thus exposing his vile yrl. low teeth; "but may I b informed hw I have estned lhce rompllmrnts?" "Your penetration, sir, whh h Is lare," replied Adrienne. "And your veracity, sir," said the count,' hirh Urn inv nine luii appeared alone in mir box at',' 11 tnrv the Opora; J011 w isli to kill the time till tomorrow well ! here is an excellent tpHrtutilly. It is two o'clock; at half pat three, my niece ill rniue in the carriage; the weather is splendid; there is sure to be a crowd in tho Itois do Hon logno. You can take a delightful ride, and be s -fit by everybody. Then, ni the n,!r and move ment will have calmed your fever of happiness, will commence my magic this evening, and take you to India." "To India?" "Into the midst of one of those wild fo'ests, in which roar tho lion, tho panther, and tho tiger. We will have this heroic combat, which so moved you just now, under our own eyes, in all its terri- le reality." lUally, my dear count, you must bo joking." "Not at all; I promise to show you real - wild leasts, formtdablo tenants of tho country of our omi-god growling tigers roaring lions do you not think that will bo bettor than books?" "Hut how?" "Come ! I must givo you tho secret of my su. ernulural power. On returning from your ride, you shall dino ith my niece, uud wo will go to gether to a very curious spectacle, now exhibit ing ut tho Porto-Bainlo-Maiiin theatre. A most extraordinary lion-taincr (hero shows you a nuiu or of wild boasts, in a state of nature, in tho midst of a forot (hero only commences tho illu sion), and has fierce combats with them all tigers, lions and panthers. All Paris is crowding to these representations, and all Paris will see you there, more charming than ever." "I accept your oflor," said Adrienne, with child ish delight, "Yes, you aro right. I shall fed u strange pleasure in beholding theso ferocious monsters, who will remind mo of tlioso that my lembgod so heroically overcame, I accept also, iccauio, for tho first time in my life, I am anx ious to be admired oven by everybody. I ac cept finally because" Here Mdllo, do Cardovillo was interrupted by a ow knock at the door, and by the entrance of rlorlne, who announced M. Kodin. CHAPTICU LXII. TIIK KXKCUTION. Kodin entered, A rapid glance at Mdllo. do Cardovillo and M lo Montbron told him at once that he was in 11 lileinniii. In fact, nothing could ho loss encoiir aging thsu tho faces of Adrienne and tho count Tho hitler, when ho disliked people, exhibittx lis antipathy, as wo have already said, by an im pertinently aggressive mannor, which had before now occasioned a irood number of duels, At sight of Kodin, his couutemitico at onco assume' a harsh and iusolont expression; resting his el bow on tho chimney-piece, mid conversing with Adrienne, ho looked disdainfully oyer his shoul ler, without taking the least notice of tho Jesuit's low how, On the other hand, at sight of this man, Mdllo. de Cardovillo almost felt surprise that she should experience no movement of an gcr or hatred. Tho brilliant llame which burne in her heart, purified it from every vindictive sentiment. Hhe muled, on tho contrary; for, glancing with gentle pride nt tho Indian Bacchus, and then at horself, she linked herself what two beings, so young, and fair, and free, and loving, could havo to fear from this old, sordid man, with his ignoble and base countenance, now ad vancing toward her with the writhing of a rep tile. In a word, far from fooling anger or aver sion with regard to Kodin, the young lady seemed full of tho spirit of mocking gaiety, aud her largo eyes, already Hghtod up with happiness, now sparkled with irony and mischief. Itrdin felt himself ill at case. People of his stamp greatly prefer violent lo mocking enomies. They can encounter hursts of rage sometimes by falling on their knees, weeping, groaning and beating their breasts sometimes by turning on their ad versary, armed, and implacable. But they are easily disconcerted by biting raillery; and thus it was with Rodin. He saw that, between Adri enne de Cardoville and M. At Montbron, he was In what have I exhibited my penetration, my bar voiig lady?" said Kodin, coldly. "In what my Veracity?" added he turning towards M. de Montbron. "In what, sir?" ssid Adrienne. "Why, you have guessed a secret surrounded by dilliculties and mystery. In a word, you have known how to read tho depths of a woman's heart." "I, my dear young lady?" "You, sir! rejoice at it, for your penetration has had the motd fortunate results." "And your veracity has worked wonders," add- ed tho count. "Jt is pleasant to do good, even without know- ing it," said Kodin, still acting on tho defensive, and throwing sido glances by turns on the count and Adrienne; "but will you Inform me what it is that deserves this praise " "Gratitude obliges me to inform you of it," said Adrienne, maliciously; "you have discovered and told Prince Pjulma, that I was passionately in love. Well I I a mire your penetration; it was true." "You havo ulso discovered, and told this lady, that Prince Pjiilma was passionately in lovo," re sinned tho count. "Weill I admire your pene tnition. mv dear sir; it was true." Kodin looked confused, and at 11 loss for a reply. "Tim person that I loved so passionately," said Adrienne, "was tho prince." "The person Unit tho prince loved so passion- otely," resumed tho count, "was this lady." These revelations, so sudden and alarming, ill most stunned Kodin; he remained iniito and tor rilied, thinking of the future, 'Do you understand now, sir, tho extent of our gratitude towards you?" resumed Adrienne, in a still moro mocking lone. "Thanks to your sa gacity, thanks to the to idling interest you take in us, the prince end I aro indebted to you for tho knowledge of our mutual sentiments." Tho Jesuit had now gradually recovered his presence of mind, and his apparent calmness greatly irritated M. de Montbron, who, but for Adrlonno's presence, would haveassumod another tone than jests, "There is some mistake," said Kodin, "in what you have done me the honor to tell me, my dear jounglady. I have never in my hfo spoken 0 the sentiments, however worthy and respectable that you may entertain for Prince Djalma " "That is true," replied Adrienne; "with scruj uloiis and exquisite discretion, whenever you spoke to mo of the deep love felt by Princo Djul ma, you carried your reserve and delicacy so far as to inform me that it was not I whom he loved," "And the same scruple induced you to tell tho prince that Mdllo, do Cardoville loved somo one passionately but that he was not tho person," added the count. "Blr," answered Kodin, dryly, "I need hardly tell you that I have no desire to mix myself uj with amorous intrigues." "Come! this is either pride or modesty," sal the count, insolently, "for your own interest pray do not advance such things; for, if wo took you at your word, and it became known, it might injure some of the nice littlo trades that you carry on, ' "There is one at least," said Kodin, drawing himself up as proudly as M. do Monlbron,"whose rude apprenticeship I shall owe to you. It is the wearisome one of listening to your dis course." "I toll you what, my good sir!" replied the count, disdainfully; "you force mo to remind you that there are more ways than one of chastising impudent rogues." "My dear count 1" said Adrienne to M. de Mont hron, with an air of reproach. With perfect coolness, Kodin replied; "I do not exactly see, sir, first, what courage is shown by threatening a poor old man like myself ; and secondly " "M. Kodin," said the count, interrupting the Jesuit, "first, a poor old man like you, who does evil under the shelter of the age ho dishonors, is 'both cowardly and wicked, and deserves a double a 7 tMi t f I a'rt t asf thst gnfVTpfii to I l.reioen b d rt tt pn if.iHy t th v ' f i ld olr, and the Rfey halts it i'd lhifr. Wht d i j 011 think, my ! irT 81 1) ImpMsibV, Kvlm rsUe. his fUMy n. fixe I f.f hsrdlv a swon l h liM. tfpule eye upon the count, an I dsrte I at hint one i f bU rnpd, cold, purring gUuofi to I then the lit 1' rx li I ftftin rvrd the JuM eje of that orp- ike fce. "Not having the dU-vlvanbig of boiii an old wolf, an I still le an d I thirf,"rttl K din, uietly, "y ou will permit me, sir, t take li so- omit of the pursuit of hunters and police. As fur the reproaches made me, I hn'e a very simple method of answering I do not riy of justifying myself I never justify myself" "You don't say!" said the count. "Never," resumed Kodin coolly; "my acts are sufficient for that. I will then simply answer, that seeing the deep, violent, almost fearful im- ression made by this lady on tho prince" "Ict this assurance which you give me of the irinco's love," said Adrienne interrupting Kodin with an enchanting smile, "absolve you of all tho evil you wished to do me. The sight of our hap- liness bo your ownly punishment!" "It may be that I need neither absolution nor lunishment, for, as I have already had tho honor to observe to the count, my dear young lady, the futuro will justify my acts. Yes; it was my duty to toll tho princo that you loved another than limsolf, and to tell you that ho loved unother than yourself all in your mutual interest. That my attachment for you may have misled mo, is possible I am not infallible; but, after my past conduct toward you, I have, perhaps, some right to be astonished at seeing myself thus treatod. This is not a complaint. If I never justify my self, I never complain either." "Now really, thcro is something heroic in all this my good sir," said tho count. "You do not condescend to complain or justify yourself, with regard to the evil you havo done." "The evil I have done?" said Kodin, looking fixedly at the count. "Aro wo playing at enigmas?" "What, sir!" criod tho count, with indignation; "is it nothing; by your falsehoods, to have plunged tho princo into so frightful a slato of despair, that ho h is twico attempted his lito? Is it noth ing, by similar falsehood!, to havo induced this lady 1 1 beliovo so cruel and complete an errorj that but for tho resolution I have today taken) it might have lod 10 tho most fatal consequences?'1. "And will you do mo the honor to tell me, sir, what interest I could havo in all this despair and error, admitting even that that I had wished to produce them?" "8 me groat interest, no doubt," said tho count bluntly; "tho moro dangerous that it is concealed. You are me of those, I soo, to whom tho woes of others aro pleasure and profit." "That is really too much, sir," said Rodin.how- ing; "I should bo quito contented with the profit." "Your impudent coolness will not docoivo me; this is a serious matter," said tho count. "It is impossiblo that so porlldious a pieco of roguery can bo an isolated act. Who knows but this may Hlill bn one of the fruits of Madame do Bainfo- Dlier's hatred for Mdllo. do Cardoville?" JJ' Adrienne hud littonod to the preceding discus- ' sion with deep attention. Suddenly she started, as if struck by a sudden revelation. After a moment's silence, sho said to Kodin, without anger, without bitterness, but with an expression of gentle and serene calmness: "Wo aro told, sir, that happy lovo works miracles, I should bo tempted to beliovo it; for, after some minutes' reflection, and when I recall certain cir cumstances, your conduct appears lo me in quite a now light." "And what may this now perspective be, my dear young lady?" "That you may see it from my point of view, sir, allow me lo remind you of a few facts. That sowing girl was genorous'y devoted to. ine; she had given 1110 unquestionable proofs of her at tachment. Her mind was equal to her nohlo heart; but she had an invincible disliko to you. All on a sudden she disappears mysteriously from my house, and you do your best to cast upon her odious suspicions. M. de Montbron has a pa ternal affection for me; hut, as I must confess, little sympathy for you; and you have always tried to produce a coldness between us. Finally, Prince Djalma has a deep affection for me, and you employ the most perfidious treachery to kill lll.lt lAIll! tHAnl ...ill.!. I. a... l.rtM ll.l.nt Ami .1 r. niui, su ii n muni, nillllll mill, J vi niiuv ouu uu you act thus? I do not know; but certainly with some hostile design." "It appears to me, madame," said Kodin, so- f verely, "that you have forgotten services per- v formed.' To be Continued. 0 1 V