Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-23

he had known many years. This girl
assisted the housekeeper, Madame Le-
maitre; and when the old gentleman was
i'll, nursed him with the affection and de-
votion of daughter. To her he left all
his property, except small legacy to
Yourself, as his sole living relative. He
described you as Monsieur Antoine Bor-
maud, of Bordeaux; / had therefore no
difficulty in tracing you.
But the will? What became of it? "
" 1t was not to be found after your
knsman's death, and the housekeeper
asserts that he destroyed it himself, and
was about to make another in her favor,
but was prevented by his sudden death. =
"Why had he altered his Intentions? !"
Monsieur Doricourt shook his shoul-
ders up until they were on a level with
his ears. After taking an enormous
prise, he said.
What do / know? The old woman
asserts that he had had of late some
cause to doubt the honesty of Mademoi-
selle Suzanne. He had lost great many
articles of value. Suzanne has brother
who bears bad character, and Monsieur
Bornaud believed (according TO Madame
Lemaitre) that the girl had robbed him
to supply the necessities of this good-for-
nothing relative"
Truly" said l, he was right, then,
to change his mind" :,
We continued our conversation till
Monsieur Doricourt, suddenly pointing
with his whip over his shoulder ex-
claimed: W M
Here is your farm; there is the
Maison Rouge.
1t was substantial looking house,
with tall chimneys, surrounded by apple
orchards, but certainly not possessing
any claim to be considered picturesque
dwelling.
We drove up to the door, which was
opened by young girl of about nineteen,
dressed in the costume of Norman
peasant. Nt0h gElW1M
Bon Jour, Suzanne, said my com
panion I" ! have brought Monsieur An
tome Bornaud to his new dwelling
The girl curtseyed, and blushed deeply
at the same time.
Monsieur is welcome" she said, tim
idly.
She was tall, well-made young woman,
with fair, fresh complexion, large blue
eyes, and light brown hair. There was a
certain pathos in her voice, and a resigned
sadness in her countenance, which e,x-
cited my pity. ! confess | could hardly
endure seeing her wait on us during the
dinner which Madame Lemaitre (who
also retained her place, and was, | must
observe, en- pdssdnt, a very severe-look'
ing duenna) had prepared in expecta-
ton of my arrival.
After dinner we went round the farm,
which was in good order. | expressed
my fears to the notary that should not
be able to manage it, as | had never lived
out of town.
There is tolerably good bailiff, he
said, "who will wait on you tomorrow
and Suzanne is an admirable manager OF
COWS, chickens and pigs.
When Suzanne brought us our coffee
in the evening | looked searchingly at
her. Her face had the expression OF q
Madonna | had once seen at Bruges,
when our business took me thither-so
calm-so sorrowful--so good My dreams
that night were all of Suzanne-Of this
disinherited, accused orphan.
On the morrow went round my farm
again. with my bailiff, and in the dairy
we found Suzanne engaged IN making
butter. / secretly admired her skill and
her pretty hands, which were as delicate
as those of lady, and, when we left the
dairy, asked the bailiff what he thought
of her. .,
"She is cleveryoung girl, Monsieur,
he replied. "You could scarcely replace
her; don't know her equal about a
farm. | was very frequently in the
dairy. | could confess my Ignorance OF
farm matters to Suzanne better than !
could to nv bailiff; and she instructed
me in rural knowledge with modesty
and respect that rendered me willing
learner. She became essential to me, In
short, a sort of feminine prime minister,
without whose opinion i could decide on
nothing.
The Jealous eye Of old Lemaitre de
tected this understanding between my
self and nv servant, ahd il was not long
before Suzanne suffered for II. One day,
as was passing an open door OF one OF
the bedchambers, | heard Lemaitre scold.
ing the poor girl cruelty. She reproaehed
her with deceit, with artifice and with un-
maidenly forwardness. At first Suzanne
made no reply; when she did, at last, an,
swer. it was with angelic mildness and
patience. Her meekness seemed to pro
woke the old fury still more, and she ac'
tually struck the young girl blow in the
face. This was more than | could en-
dure. | entered the room, and sternly
demanded what she meant by such con
I duct. Her answer was q storm OF accu.
sations against Suzanne, whom she called
a thief and hypocriie.
And il Monsieur wishes to be safe IN
life and property, he had better dismiss
! her at once, she screamed. She won
get honestly angry--not shei She a
waiting her time 10 give me a quieune
potion, suppose
A low ejaculation Of horror from Su'
zanne interrupted her.
H Nadame," said /. severely, yon can
not know what you say. but l will not
suffer SO ungoyernable atemper and such
a maurdise laugue 10 remain under my
roof You viii quit my service at once.
Very well, my fine Monsieur, she
-snl;ad insolentlv IF il hadn't been