CHAPTER XIII. THE LAST SCENE.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 135, 2 January 1886, Page 5

CHAPTER XIII. THE LAST SCENE.

Malissof was obliged, however, to see the young couple again. After a few days had elapsed, he came to Madame Pajarof's, the bearer of good tidings. " Here is my wedding present," said he to the young bride, as he handed hor an envelope. This was a letter trom a great functionary, who was a friend of his. There were several places vacant, and Marko c had the choice of two or three appointments equally calculated to suit him. " I have no shame in accepting it," said he, as he pressed the hand of his benefactor ; " after my first obligation to you everything else seems a trifle." Eugenie smiled, and her teuder glances rested firsjijpn one, then on the other of tbeeo two men, one of whom was dear to her as a father, and the other her ideal of love and happiness. The newly-married couple went to Sc Petersburg and established themselves in modest quarters. As soon as winter arrived, Anton Petrovifcch hastened to them. Madame Berlaguin*, was still rather resentful, and had been niggardly ; the now household had scanty means, and the little household was short of many a comfort Thanks to Malissof, a piano was soon introduced ; flowers and verdant s hrubs adorned the window?, and an easy couch invited the young matron to rest in her hours of weakness. Malissof passed ce ve ral happy evenings at their house every week; he was to stand sponsor during the succeeding summer, and presents of ail sorts destined for the expected godchild were accumulating in the cupboards, when he received a letter from Madame Pajarof. • 4 I know you axe courageous enough," wrote she, " calmly to face a painful possibility. There is much talk afloat in this neighbourhood about your attentions to Madame Markof. Pelagic, inconsolable at your departure, has become bitterness itself ; she talks of your lavishing delicate attentions on Eugenie, and says that, thanks to you, this infant will he rich before it is born, but that it is all quite right, for our first duty is to make a noble atonement for errors into which we may have lapsed -I give you these glanders at what they are worth, but I do not expect you to treat them with absolute indifference ; I feel persuaded that; you will find some means of silencing them." The perusal of this letter cut Malissof to the heart. Hfs former love for Eugenie had been purified by passing through the fire of adversity : he loved her still, but more as his daughter than as a young and charming woman. Her approaching maternity made her still more sacred in his eyes ; it seemed a kind of aegis to avert all evil thoughts. And was he now called upon to renounce the joy of seeing this bliss, the work of his pious hands, expand into full bloom ? Must he banish himself into solitary exile, just when he had established a happy household who were devoted to him ? He hesitated for a while, and then went to ace Markof alone in his office, where he put the letter into his hands. The young man read it, turned white with anger, and crumpled it up in a fury without saying a word; Maliseof held out his hand, and Markof clasped it warmly in both his own. " You do not believe it ?" said Malissof in a low voice. " Do not wound me by such a question !" was the reply. Malissof held out his arms, and Markof threw himself into them, with the exclamation, " My father 1" "I shall go away," said Malissof, when they had regained their composure. " I shall m>t stand sponsor to your son ; but that will not prevent my making him my heir." Markof tried to explain, but his friend silenced him. "This is the only pleasure I haye left," continued he, "do not rob me of it. I will come and see you to-night for the last time. I will pretend that I am obliged to atarfc on a little journey, and when I have left, you catT explain to Eugenie that I must not return—not till I am quite an old man," added he with a sa smile. He . made his appearance later on at Madame" Markof'S. They spent the evening as ueu'al, the young wife talking away without the least constraint, in lively confidence. When the hour for parting came,

Maligsof ro?o. ' ' I havejfdlleaye home for a« 'time," eafd he.A " May ? I'lties vyour ,wife£ Markof 7"? \ ~ \ *. •■// ' > .-.T^~ The young husband tqok'liia wife byftti c hand and led/ her ftp to their /benefactor.' AntonPetroyitch pressed Bugbnie'shpad to -his^heart, imprinted on hier } brow a* kiss, whose bitterness will sarel'y-^be.reokoned^to his acoount in paradiee, and took his leave ' When he wVs; gOAe^Markof.inhiß turn, embraced hia wife and^hecltteare. .. » % Malissof leftSi; Petersburg ,the following day. The child, who had received his name of Anton before he was, born, came into the world. A stranger's .arm .bore him to the font, but his reol godfather never forgot his birthday in the distant foreign cities where he passed each anniversary in melancholy abstraction, but sent him the most splendid presents and affectionate letters. Little Anton was, however, destined never to know his devoted friend ; before hit had learned to write his same, Malissof had been laid to rest on the shores of a lovely lake, within a foreign cemetery, Pelagic has remained single. Madame Pa jar of has never ceased to accuse her of having been the cause of Malieeof'e death. " Had it not been for your terrible tongue," said she, "he might bo alive and happy this very moment I" Pelagic told the whole country and ended by herself believing that Malissof died for love of her — because he mistook his own feelings. Little Anton is growing up now, but he never fails to pray night and morning for the soul of hig real godfather, Anton Petro vitch Malissof. THE END.