The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-09 00:00:00

CHAPTER VI.

BrNos would have liked nothing better than to
engage Paul in the hunt after the criminals, but
Freneuse had more sense and less imagination than
his friend. He acknowledged now that the girl had
been murdered. The expel iment which had
destroyed Mirza was deciiyo ; but to believe from
it in the possibility of discovering the criminals was
to jump at a rash conclusion. Nor did Frenense
care to embark upon an enterprise whi‘h would cost
him much time and disturb the tranquillity of mind
necessary above alj things to his work.
He aspired to attain a position of independence,
and was on the high road thereto. He had already
acquired the notoriety which is the first step to
renown and even to glory. He was considered
an artist of promise who night possibly some
day become a great painter, and was gaining a
fair income.

His success was en' irely due to his own industry
and talent. The only son of a rner 'mit who ought
to have left him a fine it heritanee, Paul had found
himself at the age of nineteen without a profession
and without means. Ruined by one of those com-
mercial crises that shake the strongest firms, his
father had died from grief, having sacrificed every-
thing to meet his engagements, and only bequeath-
ing to his son the advantage of an untarnished name.
Motherless and fatherless, Paul was alone in the
world, having no relative bet a distant cousin living
in the provinces, who thought he acted liberally in
giving the lad a thousand francs to go and push his
fortunes abroad.

But Paul had no desire to seek gold in Australia.
He was conscious of a talent for painting, and so
he devoted his cousin's gift to travelling. He
remained five years in Rome, working for a living
and instruction. Starting as a pupil, he at
length became a master, a young and struggling
one, but still well spoken of by artists, and esteemed
by the purchasing public; for while his merits were
being discussed, the dealers found they could depend
upon him. The demand for his works among the
bourgeoisie grew so great, that ere long honour and
money flowed freely in upon him.
Highly appreciating the dignity of his profession,
he did not overlook the fact that in this world it is
money which confers liberty. So he did his utmost
to please everybody. "When I possess wealth,"
thought'he, "I shall devote myself entirely to that
art which I value above all things. Fortune shall
not be my goal, but my stepping-stone."
And in order to attain more quiekly the inde-
pendence he desired, Freneuse sometimes thought of
marrying.
He had all the attributes to charm a girl. He
was tall, slight, and well built. His features were
not regular, but his countenance was expressive and
taking. Intelligent in conversation, without a shade
of pretence, and thoroughly well bred, he possessed
the additional advantages of a kind heart and a
frank, joyous manner.
It may readily be believed that opportunities for
making a choice were not wanting to him. For the
last two or three years the winters had not passed
without his re eiving interested invitations.
Numerous were the occasions at balls and dinners
when he had been presented to young ladies 'con-
sidered as suitable matches. He went willingly into
society, and knew how to maintain his losition with
grace, but he retained his heart. Occasionally he
might show susceptibility towards some young lady
who was what is termed a" bon part i," but the object
of his search had not yet been found. Freneuse had
resolved not to marry where he did not love; and,
to love, he required no end of moral qualities; he
had besides an artist's eye for beauty, and had
formed an ideal not easily met with.
Early in the present season he was struck by the
appearance of the daughter of a gentleman who had
been connected with his father in business. This
gentleman received his visits very favourably,
seeing he had risen to a good position in his pro-
fession, and was likely to become celebrated.
And Mademoiselle Marguerite Pau'et was certainly
worthy to attract notice and admiration. She was
wonderfully lovely—as lovely as Pia—though no
more resembling Pia than the day sesembies the
night.
Pia was dark; Mdlle. Paulet was fair as 'a blush
rose. Pia was somewhat short, and her form un-
developed; Mule. Paulet was tall, and although
not yet tw nty, she had a filll and graeeful figure.
Pia recalled one of Raphael's virgins; Mdlle. Paulet
a Flemish woman of Rubens.
And Paul Freneuse, who loved the masters of a'''s
the schools, albeit preferring the Italians, greatly
admired the charms of the splendid heiress, who hal
frequently since the beginnieg of the winter granted
him the honour of several waltzes in the same
evening. For Marguerite was an heiress. After
having been in business—an expression used to
designate a man enriched by speculation—her father
had retired with a large fortune, honourably ac-
quired it was said, and he had but one child.
Her mother was dead, and had beveithed her
two hundred thousand francs, which she would re-
ceive on attaining her majority.
M. Paulet, the owner of three houses in Paris, was
considered to possess 7e,000 livres of rente, and
would leave still more behind him. His daughter
1:lsecl society, so he not only took her out a great
deal, but received and entertained at home. He
was specially famous for giving good
.dinnors, and
often in h7slinvitations included Paul Freueuse, who
gladly accepted them, not so much on account of
the chef's excellencies as of the (laughter's charms.
He had partaken of M. Paulet's hospitality so
often that winter that, not being able to return it
(in his bachelor state), he sought an occasion for
paying some mark of attention to his host and
hostess. It happened at the last dinner party that
the heiress, who was sitting next to Freneese, ex-
pressed a great desire to see "Lea Chevaliers du
Brouillard," a play which had just come out at the
Porte St. Martin. Paul thought at once he might
take the opportunity to send a box for the piece;
but he had to be careful in offering it. He made
himself acquainted with M. Paulet's engagements,
and on finding an unoccupied evening secured a
handsome box on the first tier, not by paying for
it—which might have offended the sensitive pride of
M. Paulet—but by obtaining it from a journalist
friend.

That evening happened to be the one following
the death of poor Mirza. Binos, his destroyer, had
hardly left the artist's studio, when a note of thanks
arrived from M. Paulet, expressing an earnest hope
that Paul would join him and his daughter at the
theatre.

The artist was hardly in tho mood to enjoy.made-
moiselle's companionship, for the tragedy in the
omnibus had depressed him, and Binos' schemes
had rendered him uneasy. He reproached himself
for having promised to be silent about the poisoned
pin which he ought to have sent to the police, with
an explanation of how it had been found. He
feared lest he should, sooner or later, be compro-
mised by some indiscreet conduct on the part of his
comrade.

Nevertheless he could not, without appearing ill-
bred, refuse to join M. Paulet ale his charming
daughter, after the former had expressed so strong
a desire to see him. It was, perhaps, also the best
means of driving out the dismal thoughts which
tormented him; so about six o'clock he made his
toilette, and, as it was fine, walked to the inner
Boulevards to dine at a club to which he belonged,
but which he very seldom visited.
(To be continued.)

A telegrrm from B%liymaie, county Sligo, states
that grew-, excitement has been caused there by the
shooting of a man who was going to a public meeting
there, held to protest against an Orange circular call.
ing on the. landlords of the county to let their farms to
Pcotestants.
An accommodation train of three cars on the
Indianapolis and Chicago Railroa broke through a
bridge at White's Creek, near Indianapolis, the other
day. Part of the wreck was submerged; the other
portion caught fire. Six persons were burnt or drowned,
and nine were injured.

The arrivals of live stock and fresh meat at Liver.
pool during the week ending Feb. 2, from the United
s.Ate., and cattle, amounted to 1741 cattle, 308 sheep,
7.i hogs, 8370 quarters of beef, 1042 carcases of mutton.
Tbe imports, when compared with the total arrivals of
t`le prEceding week, show a further increaae in cattle
und frEsh meat, but a falling off in sheep.

Thonet's manufactory of furniture in Moravia has
been burnt to the ground. It employed 1200 work.
men. 'who are thrown out of employment. Thonet
Owns five manufactories as large in different countries.
The Board of Trade hive awarded a binocular glass
to Captain J. Grossi, of the Italian ship Emma C., of
Genoa, in recognition of his hu,lanity and kindness In
rescuing the crews of the British ships St. Andrew'i
Castle and Galatea, which foundered through collision
with Each other in the Bay of Biscay on the I.sth of
November last.
Arc),-Civg to a telegram ;received through Renter's
Agency from Madrid, dated February 3, a despatch
frcm Comuna reports that a Snaniph sailing vessel
cai,siacd during the gale we4c A Caps Prior, and
that the crew, cumbrriilg rr.;etevu wen, periebea