The Son Of Monte Cristo Part 60 (2/2)

A LETTER FROM MONTE-CRISTO

”MY DEAR CHILD:

”Twelve years have elapsed since that terrible day when, with the assistance of our dear friends in Algeria, I was enabled to save you from a most awful death Since thenvery gray

”I aood in the world

But I ainst reat catastrophes, and one, even alone, prostrated e, and that was the death of your beloved mother I realized then that I was only a man

I said to myself: 'Monte-Cristo, the color has fled from your cheek, the fire from your eye You are in possession of old Faria's secrets and science, but you are powerless against Death You have triulars, Benedetto and Maldar, but you cannot triumph over Death! Remember that you are only a man!'

”You were just sixteen, Esperance, when your mother was taken from us, and your tears fell with mine, but you said to yourself: 'My father re in that father died at that ti was born--his self-confidence vanished forever, and doubt took its place Foryears, my son, your father deemed himself master of his own destiny, and with a certain simplicity at which I smile to-day, he fancied that he could make all wills bend to his Frorehite, and I cannot sh it be, bring back the color to my lips nor fire to ht to repair the evil I had committed, I have not always succeeded

”I released the son of Mercedes frola, but two years later, in December, 1851, he fell, on the day of that '_attentat_,' which is not yet avenged

”Where is Maxientle Valentine, whose happiness was dear to htful revolt of the Sepoys in India in 1859? It is clear to me that my love was powerless to protect

”If I write this to you, my son, it is not with a wish to sadden you

But you are not only my son but my confessor, as well as enerous instincts and a spirit of devotion Froy, but I trust that you inherit none of my pride

”When this letter reaches you I shall be far away Yes, and I wish you to knohy There is a suggestion of weakness in your nature which I wish to eradicate When you are with me you do not do justice to yourself--you are content to walk in h my eyes But I desire to remind you that you have arrived at man's estate, and that you hts You are free, you are twenty-two, and you are wealthy You have, therefore, no reason to fear that any obstacles will be thrown in your path You have no enemies--I have scattered the friends for yourself I have had proteges rather than friends

”I know you to be sincere and generous Believe and give It is good sometimes for a man to make mistakes True experience is made up of errors Do not be afraid of their consequences But, nevertheless, be cautious Avoid the irreparable To kiss is a crime, the only one, possibly, because it is the only one that cannot be repaired If, however, you coe theh life, my son I have left you that you may do so You have near you devoted hearts Coucon will never forsake you I have taken my old Bertuccio with me I did not wish you to think that I had left any one to watch you and report to er, summon Fanfar

”Up to this time I feel that you have had no secrets frouide Rereat sorrow

”I love you,I long to do good, and hope to find happiness

”Dear, dear child! Oh! how I love you!

”MONTE-CRISTO”

CHAPTER XLIV

ESPERANCE

The youthful son of Monte-Cristo enty-two years of age, and wonderfully handsome His dark curls shaded a fair, white brow, and his eyes were haughty like his father's His slender white hands os