  A little beyond MontrÉtout, the road makes a sudden turn to the left. At this point commences a magnificent avenue of old elms, leading to a country house built in the days of Louis XIV, and now hardly visible through the dense foliage surrounding it. Here lived M. and Mme. de Smarte, and here Odette was spending a few days with her friend. AdÈle de Smarte was one of the loveliest and best women in Paris, stylish and witty. It is not difficult to acquire a reputation for brilliancy by making cruel, sarcastic remarks about one's friends; but AdÈle's witty conversation never belied her loving, loyal heart. Towards eight o'clock, the guests, scattered about the grounds since dinner, gradually re-assembled in the drawing-rooms. It was one of those exquisite Summer evenings, when mere existence is bliss. "Do not forget your promise to give us some music this evening, dear Odette," said Mme. de Smarte. "I have not forgotten it," she replied. Odette was a wonderful pianist. Her exceptional musical talent had been cultivated until perfection was the result. She never waited to be urged. Only indifferent performers require coaxing and persuading, before they will attack the unfortunate piano. "What will you have?" she asked, turning to her hostess. "Beethoven—his music suits all tastes." Odette commenced the sonata in C sharp, minor—that marvelous work—it is a soul crying out in its agony. Mme. Frager played it with her whole heart, and when The sound of the door-bell broke the silence. "Who can be coming here so late?" exclaimed Mme. de Smarte, in astonishment. A servant opened the door to the drawing-room, and announced: "M. Paul Frager." Odette started to her feet as she heard her husband's name, and stood leaning against the piano. The young man's features were distorted and pale. He was trembling, and yet seemed rigid in his stately dignity. Odette saw at the first glance that Paul knew her crime, and felt that every thing was at an end for her, but did not stir from where she stood, bravely awaiting the blow. Mme. de Smarte welcomed M. Frager, and enquired after his mother. But all in the room felt the tragedy to come, and all "Madame," he said, bowing gravely to Mme. de Smarte, "only the importance of my errand excuses this late arrival. I hope you will forgive me, and grant me this request, that I may consider this house as my own for the next ten minutes." All had risen to their feet, pale and trembling. All understood that the tempest had broken, and that the whispers about Odette were to be answered in this fatal hour. AdÈle's heart swelled with sympathy and compassion for the betrayed husband, yet she dared not reply to him. Her husband, however, bowed to the young man in token of silent assent, and he continued slowly, "Madame, I have discovered a most abominable crime. The woman that bears my name has a lover; that lover is my mother's husband. I am ignorant of the exact length of time that my dishonor has lasted; but I know this, every one Turning to Odette, he continued: "As M. de Smarte has had the kindness to allow me to consider this house as my own, I order you out of it, and not only out of this house, but out of society. I want your degradation to be as public as your disgrace has been." All were silent. Odette stood proudly defiant before them. Pointing to the open door, Paul exclaimed, "Begone!" A smile curled her lips. Rather die than let any one see the savage despair in her heart, she shrugged her shoulders, and She sank on the grass by the road-side, saying, "There is nothing so grand as a good, noble man," and sat there a few minutes staring blankly into the darkness. She imagined she heard steps approaching; frightened, she rose and fled. Where could she go? To her father? Claude was away, and besides, in this supreme hour, she saw clearly that Claude would abandon her after such public disgrace. She was walking hurriedly down the road to MontrÉtout. She could see Paris in front of her; the thousands of lights twinkled in the distance like stars; no buildings could be separately distinguished, only a dark mass, stretched as far The distant murmur that came to her from the great city seemed a thousand voices, crying Shame. She was an outcast! The train was just starting as she sprang into the car. Fortunately, she met none of her acquaintances. The scandal to-morrow would be known all over the city. The famous artist's love for his daughter-in-law would be the sensation of the hour. Germaine alone remained to her. Germaine would receive her. She was driven to the old house on the Quai Voltaire, and, in spite of the late hour, found Germaine still busy at work, sewing. The door stood open into little Bessie's bed-room, so that as she worked she could watch the little one's peaceful slumber. Germaine raised her head as the door opened, and looked quietly at her sister. "You are astonished at seeing me, Germaine." "I was expecting you." "Expecting me?" "Yes. When a woman is sunk as deep in crime and degradation as you are, the hour comes sooner or later when she is driven to seek shelter with her own family. I am not surprised." Odette staggered back against the wall. Germaine knew all! Her sister's cold, quiet tones pierced her She ran to her sister, and, seizing her hand, cried: "Do you hate me, too?" Germaine released her hand without replying. Then the bitterness of death overcame Odette. She was alone, alone! Even Germaine repulsed her! But Germaine could not drive her away! She would never believe her sister capable of such cold-heartedness. Grasping her hand again, she cried: "Oh, Germaine, why do you treat me so? I have only you left to love me. I never would have shut you out of my heart if you had committed a crime. Here, on my knees, I implore you to take pity on me." And she clung, sobbing, to her sister. Germaine looked down at her with infinite compassion and sorrow. "I have no excuse, not one! But, if you only knew what I suffered, trying to resist this consuming passion. You can not know. Germaine started up, her eyes flaming: "Your criminal passion is no excuse. You think no one can resist this love that carries one away like a mighty river. You think I can not even imagine what love and passion are! But, let me tell you that I, too, know them as well as you! I carry in my heart a love as deep, as wildly passionate, as yours. You love Claude; I love Paul! Do you remember that little romance I told you so long ago? It was Paul that was at our house. It was Paul I loved. When you told me the name of your future husband, my soul writhed in agony. But I said nothing, because I supposed of course you loved him." Odette was still kneeling on the floor, completely overwhelmed by this revelation. Germaine continued: "I have never entered your door since I discovered that "Odette!" "Yes; you love me no longer. I do not blame you. I have unconsciously caused you the greatest suffering and sorrow. I came between you and your happiness. We can never be the same again, for I have ruined your life. May I go to your Odette dragged herself to the bed-room and closed the door. So Germaine loved Paul, as Odette loved Claude! Why had one fallen, while the other stood firm? She glanced around the simple chamber, so pure and sweet. The bed stood in the alcove, half hidden by the pretty muslin curtains. A few vases and photographs lay on the mantelpiece, with a little statue of the Virgin Mary in the center. Did Germaine's strength of character come from that little statue? Could it be her religion that had sustained and comforted her in her hours of darkness? Odette meditated long and deeply. Which was true, Atheism or Religion? Which of the two sisters was the better prepared for the battle of life; the one with her beads and images, or the one with logic and reason? Odette dared not reply. Germaine had not fallen, simply because her temptation But Odette was persuaded that Germaine's flame-lit eyes revealed a love as passionate as her own. Perhaps she, too, would have conquered, if she had had this faith; and how it would have consoled her in her present loathsome degradation! Did not Christ forgive the Magdalen at his feet? The hours passed slowly. Morning had arrived before she sank to sleep. When she awoke, Germaine was kneeling at her bedside, holding her hand. "You?" murmured Odette. "Yes, dear sister. I am here to implore your forgiveness. I was harsh and cruel to you last night. Will you accept me for your companion? I have plenty of money, you know. Let us go far, far away, to some other country, where you and I can live alone together, in peace and content." Odette replied: "Oh, you brave, noble heart! I am guilty and miserable; but I am not degraded enough to accept your noble offer." She embraced her sister tenderly, humbly; then she rose. "Farewell, dear Germaine! I must go to my doom. Farewell." As she entered Germaine's sitting-room, she met her father, and saw by his agitation and the open letter in his hand, that he had heard from Paul. "You, here!" he exclaimed. "Miserable girl!" Odette had her hand on the door, but turned at these words. "You, at least, can not reproach me, father! An hour of irresistible temptation comes to us women. We feel ourselves dragged to the edge of the precipice with a terrible grasp. Other women have some thing to cling to, some God to cry to; but I could find nothing to seize hold of. I She turned again to the door. "Odette, Odette, where are you going?" cried the unhappy father. "I am going where all women go whose honor is lost, who are desperate, who believe in neither God, nor goodness, nor justice. I am going—to perdition!" And she disappeared, leaving her father's gray head bowed in despair, while Germaine All Paris remembers Claude Sirvin's attempt at suicide. The famous artist shot himself in the breast, but fortunately he recovered from the dangerous wound. I met him not long since, gay and smiling, with a pretty little actress on his arm. But no one seemed so thoroughly contented and happy as Count David de Bruges; that is, until the day when his handsome horses ran away with him and overturned the carriage. His injuries were comparatively slight, but his companion, the beautiful Odette, was carried home lifeless. In a beautiful villa, almost hidden by the grand old elm trees surrounding it, in Paissy, that lovely suburb of Paris, lives the author A quiet peace and contentment reign in this charming home, where Elaine and Paul, in their true and tender affection for each other, have sought and found forgiveness and forgetfulness of the sad, sad past. The future shines bright with hope, for Paul is soon to bring Germaine to his mother as his tenderly loved wife. With Elaine's devoted affection, and Germaine's true, noble heart that for so many years has worshiped him in secret, Paul Frager will surely find that beautiful happiness of home that is — The only bliss Of Paradise that has survived the fall." THE SUCCESS OF THE YEAR. Hammock Series, No. 1. "No Gentlemen." The brightest, most readable and entertaining novel of the season. WHAT THE PRESS SAY OF IT. "We are soon amused, interested and charmed. Belonging to the class of stories popularly called 'bright,' and published judiciously at the opening of the season of hammocks and piazzas, it is far more readable than most of its kind. The plot is not too much of a plot for a legitimate New England story, and the conversation of 'Jabe' is racy enough to make us forget that we were tired of Yankee dialect, as treated by Mrs. Stowe and Mrs Whitney. Indeed the book is thoroughly enjoyable."—The Critic, New York. "No Gentlemen." "Is a very bright and readable novel."—The Commercial, Louisville. "No Gentlemen." "Clearly belongs to a class whose highest ambition is to be 'bright'—an ambition which, indeed, is seldom more fully justified."—The Dial. "No Gentlemen." "Is readable, bright and never bores one."—N. Y. Tribune. "The conversations in 'No Gentlemen' are bright, the characters well drawn and adroitly contrasted."—Am. Bookseller, N. Y. "No Gentlemen." "Is written in a bright, fresh style, something like that of Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney, or more nearly, perhaps, that of the author of Phyllis and Molly Bawn, which is to say, much of it. * * Girl graduates of the present season, into whose hands it falls, will seize upon it, after the first taste, as if it were a rosy and juicy peach; which, so to speak, in a figure, it very nearly is."—Literary World, Boston. Hezekiah Butterworth, in the Boston Transcript, says of "No Gentlemen" that the plot is well managed, and the story brightly told. "No Gentlemen." "The story opens in Boston, and concerns New England life. The characters, relative to the soil, are very clearly drawn, and there is a great deal of originality in the plot and treatment of the story."—Boston Courier. "It is a bright narrative of the summering of a half-dozen Boston girls just out of school, at Red Farm, in Pineland, with Miss Hopeful Bounce, who advertises for summer boarders, but 'No Gentlemen.' In order to make a novel, of course this prohibition must be broken down, and as the girls, particularly the heroine and her special friend, are pleasant company, the story is as readable as if it were a 'No Name,' as it is in fact."—Springfield Republican. "No Gentlemen." Is issued in elegant style, being printed on fine tinted paper, making a book of 348 pages, bound in fine cloth, with unique side stamp in black and gold, and sold at the low price of $1.00, by the publishers. HENRY A. SUMNER & COMPANY, AN INSTANTANEOUS SUCCESS. We, Von Arldens. A New Novel by Miss Douglas. 12mo, 487 pp., illustrated. Cloth, side and back stamp. Retail price, $1.50. We, Von Arldens. "Is a novel which can not fail to become exceedingly popular with that portion of our people who find in a well written romance the necessary gold to give a gilt-edged finish to such aspirations as may give a new pleasure to existence."—Albany Post. We, Von Arldens. "This is an amusing story, racy in style, interesting in plan, and charming in delineation of characters.... A captivating story."—The Saturday Evening Post, of San Francisco. We, Von Arldens. "Full of life from beginning to end. It is one of those lively books that are always in demand."—The Grand Rapids Eagle. We, Von Arldens. "Miss Douglas has written a very pleasant domestic story. The family is a lively one, and their several characters are deftly drawn."—The Chicago Evening Journal. We, Von Arldens. "There is a good deal of bright anecdote in the book."—The Troy Times. We, Von Arldens. "It is a homelike story with no silly nonsense in it.... It ought to have a large sale."—The Commercial Advocate, of Detroit. We, Von Arldens. "This is a cleverly contrived story, possessing marked originality and interest."—Philadelphia Herald. We, Von Arldens. "A lively, rattling story of county and village life."—Pittsburgh Daily Post. We, Von Arldens. "A spicily written story, of powerful grasp and decidedly Western texture. We have been exceedingly favorably impressed with the story, and think our readers will agree with us in this opinion."—Pittsburgh Evening Chronicle. We, Von Arldens. "It is a very spicy book, bubbling over with wit and repartee of a harmless kind.... In fact, the book is a very pleasant pill to take for the blues."—Boston Sunday Herald. HENRY A. SUMNER & COMPANY, THE HAMMOCK SERIES.—No. 2. BARBERINE: The Story of a Woman's Devotion. A NOVEL. "No one can begin this story without reading it to the end, for there is not a page at which the interest flags, and it is almost impossible not to feel that 'Barberine' was a woman of history, and not of fiction."—N. Y. Herald. "The plot has to do with a Russian Nihilist conspiracy, and there is enough love, murder and politics to furnish material for half a dozen novels."—Boston Evening Transcript. "Chicago publishing houses are fast coming to the front with good books, well made, and sold at popular prices. This is one of them, a volume which we judge from a cursory glance, will find many readers during the midsummer weather. It is not a philosophical treatise, disguised as a novel by a bright, well-written story. The plot is well laid, and the language in good taste."—Albany Sunday Press. "Few novels issued during the last half year are of more absorbing interest. It is a story of a life of self-sacrifice.... There are some fine dramatic effects produced by weaving into the romance an insurrection in Poland, life in St. Petersburg, a journey to New York, and thence to San Francisco before the days of the railroad."—N. Y. Evening Mail. "It is told with great power, and in a strikingly realistic manner."—Saturday Evening Gazette, Boston. "The plot is intricate and exciting, and incidents thickly crowded and natural."—St. Paul Pioneer Press. "It is absorbingly interesting."—American Bookseller, N. Y. "There is nothing prosy about it in the least, but overflows with a brilliancy that will cause it to be read by thousands."—Commercial Advertiser, Detroit. "This is a charming novel."—Daily Evening Post, San Francisco. 1 vol., 12mo, 365 pages, Cloth, Red and Gold Stamp. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, by the Publishers, HENRY A. SUMNER & COMPANY, Chicago. WHAT THE PRESS SAY ABOUT A Peculiar People. An elegant 12mo vol. of 458 pages, handsomely bound in cloth. A Peculiar People. "The recital throughout is spirited, and the book as a whole is one that may be read with pleasure, for the information it imparts and for the profitable reflections to which it gives rise."—Saturday Evening Gazette, Boston. A Peculiar People. "It is interesting and well written."—The Commercial, Cincinnati. A Peculiar People. "An entertaining sketch of oriental travel. It is full of instructive description, historical references, and interesting incidents."—Pittsburgh Dispatch. A Peculiar People. "The book will well pay perusal."—Albany Sunday Press. A Peculiar People. "There is not a dull page in the book; it will have many admirers."—Daily Monitor, Concord. A Peculiar People. "We commend the book to those who desire home-travel in a wonderful land of mystery and marvel, of poetry and prophecy, of philosophy and promise."—Pittsburgh Post. A Peculiar People. "The scene of this unique story is laid in the Orient, in and near Mount Lebanon. A pleasing plot runs through the volume, which can not fail to interest the reader."—Star and Covenant. A Peculiar People. "The style is fascinating, and shows the vigor of young manhood, while the story illustrates the wisdom of a good, just and holy life."—Gospel Banner, Augusta. Mailed on receipt of price, $1.25, to any address, by the Publishers, HENRY A. SUMNER & COMPANY, A NEW AMERICAN NOVEL. Her A brilliant story of American life, drawn from fact and fiction. "In many respects this is a strong story."—Evening Journal, Chicago. "Spiritedly written."—Gazette, Cincinnati. "The writer may be enrolled in the list of successful authors."—Iowa State Register. "It is a story wrought out with considerable skill. The style is graceful and subdued, and although there are several sensational incidents, they are treated in quite an artistic manner."—Daily Evening Traveler, Boston, May 17, 1880. "Holds the attention closely from beginning to end."—Bookseller and Stationer, Chicago, May, 1880. "The story is not overdrawn, but it is natural and life-like, in plot and design, so much so that it does not read like a novel, but a true history of a beautiful life."—Albany (N.Y.) Sunday Press, May 2, 1880. "This is an American domestic novel, pure and clean, and beautiful in all its elements." * * Missouri Republican, St. Louis, May 8, 1880. "On the whole 'Her Bright Future' is above the general average, and, if a first dash into authorship, is at least very readable as well as unpretending."—Evening News, Philadelphia, May 7, 1880. The elegant and unique binding, and handsomely printed page will add to the pleasure of the possessor. 1 vol., 12mo., 310 pages, fine cloth, black and gold stamp. HENRY A. SUMNER & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, 205 WABASH AVE., Offer the following fresh and attractive books at popular prices: IV. ZACHARIAH, THE CONGRESSMAN. A Tale of American Society. By Gilbert A. Pierce. Illustrated. Square 12mo, heavy tinted paper, black and gold stamp, 440 pages, $1.00. "Its Washington scenes are vividly sketched, and to the life, the characters are drawn with the boldness of the ablest novelist, and no American novel has ever fascinated me so resistlessly and delightfully."—Schuyler Colfax. "I have read all of 'Zachariah,' and some of its passages two or three times over. I do not hesitate to say that it is decidedly the best story yet written in this country. Some of the scenes are as touching as were ever penned by Dickens himself."—Charles Aldrich. A brilliant story of to-day. Will be read by all classes. NOW READY III. A RESPECTABLE FAMILY. By Ray Thompson. Square 12mo, black and gold stamp, etc. 550 pages, $1.25. A story of New England life, full of quaint humor and abounding in pleasing incidents. "He has given us an entertaining and not unprofitable book."—Morning Star. "A perfect character-sketch of the humorous and earnest phrases of American Life. The quaintness and native wit of Jones are delicious, and many of his sayings and doings recall the genial side of Lincoln's character. "A thoroughly enjoyable book, and one showing the peculiarities of American life in a most attractive manner." II. SHADOWED BY THREE. By Lawrence L. Lynch, Ex-Detective. Square 12mo, 53 illustrations, black and gold stamp, 738 pages, $1.50. The most remarkable and best written of all detective stories. The illustrations alone are worth five times the price of the book. "'Shadowed by Three' is the novel of the day. If the author is as good a detective as he is writer, he would be a boon to a Congressional Investigating Committee—that is provided they ever wanted to 'find things out,' which, of course, they don't. But do not imagine that this book is a 'detective story' in the sense those words are generally understood, for it is not. But it is a powerfully constructed novel of the school of 'The Woman in White,' 'The Moonstone,' 'Foul Play,' etc., with the added great advantage that its author is thoroughly familiar with, and master of, the varied and entrancing material he has so skillfully woven into his vivid and richly colored story." I. THE DOCTOR'S PROTÉGÉ. By Miss May E. Stone. Square 12mo. 7 illustrations, black and gold stamp, 330 pages, $1.00. "The story is of rare beauty and intense interest."—Boston Home Jour. "It is a very pretty domestic novel gracefully written."—Boston Saturday Evening Gazette. "Contains the material for a three-volumed novel, with enough surplus to base half a dozen Sunday school books on."—Detroit Evening News. "The book is one that can not fail to please all who read its sparkling pages. The story is a good one; genial, healthful, and charmingly told."—Wayne County Review. "The book is a good one because it calls virtue and true womanhood and the highest manhood into prominence."—Chicago Inter Ocean. Our publications are all gotten up in a superior style as regards printing, binding, and illustrations. Mailed free on receipt of price. HENRY A. SUMNER & CO., Publishers, CHICAGO. Transcriber's Notes:
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