The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-29
THE
Partisan i il '|;ti
A DESPERATE DEED.
ERSKINE BOYD,
Apssoa o. -THx STOLEN CHILD" "DMvKs
FROM HOME" &c, &c. ". o.
CHAPTER K.

CHAPTER x.
OLD ooRrscasv LISTENS 10 \ DISCLOSURE.
When Noel and Daddy Tabaret We're
seated facingIone onother in tho barris-
tsr's private room. and when the door had
been carefully locked for fear OF intrusion,
the lstter remarked uneasily to the young
man thatperhapshi his mothet mightrequire
his presence, and feel hurt at his absence.
If Madame Gerdy rings the bell" was
the cold reply, made. in short, dry tone,
s'the servants will answer it."
:, The indifference of his manner, the icy
disdain of his voice, astounded Daddy
Tabarst, accustomed as % he had been to
the affectionate relations that had hitherto
existed between mother and son.
-For PHYS sake, Noel" he said. "be
calm, ana don't allow yourself TO be led
away by any, momentary irritation.
gee you are annoyed with your mother; by
Tomorrow you will hayeC forgotten the
cause Of that annoyance. In the mean
Nime, drop the icy tone you have adopted
,ia.speaking of her--it doesn't please me;
and Why this affectatien in calling her
.Whyl" echoed The hs'bh bharriistsr, in hol::
low ice.L@whyT'i - 90. "
= He rose o. he spoke, paced the room for
few seconds in an absent. uncertain
eort of way. and then, returning, stood
close beside the old man.. s.
because, Monsieur Tabsret, Madame
Gsrdysis not aytpaother"i
His words fell like the blow Of heavy
club upon the head Of Daddy Tabaret.
He was stunned, and for some moments
sat staring at his young friend, rs one
paralyzed. - w.
.Oh!" said he at hast, in an exIostnlst-
ing way, as if the words he had last heard
were beyond ali possibility Of belief; ere
feet upon what you are saying, my dear
boy! Think how improbable it is-how
affef3v incredibisr, Z oa44 ~
"fes; own it Is incredible" answered
Noel, speaking With a certain emphasis,
and. dwelling on each word in a manner
which was familiar to him. ut may seem
improbable, yet it is true. For thirty
three years-from the day Of my birth, in
fact-Madame Gerdy has been playing a
wonderfuf comedy---ought not to call it
tragedya-to- my detriment. and to the
profit Of Eiher otra son-for she has son,
as l. am about to prove to you"
any dear boy, you may speak to me
unreservedly," began Daddy Tabaret,
who. in the dim distance, caught more
distinct glimyse ofaha phantom of the
Widow Lerouge.
,TFsnt Noel wss mot listening-indeed,
sssned, hardly, 10, . condition TO listen.
This young man, ordinarily so severe
and cold, 50 walled round with an icy re-
serve Of manner. appeared to have entirely
lost his self-eommand. The sound of his
own words seemed tolash.him iptofrspzy
asVtiie flag " Shis hsfnessgbsslsEir the
blood'of spirited horse.
"Was there sper man n this world
more cruelty deceived than I have been
5sssa,, more 1isffrssels y or snsEs shahastolly
He spoke with growing excitement.
pacing the room with hasty strides. not
giancing at the queer, attentive face that
was booking ut himtsosteadly.
10 think" he continued, -that her per-
fidy dates from the moment she took me
oa, her knees, kissing my baby forehead
aslshee ckiied fne.her son!' Her love for
me-her love, 80 cunningly professed. was
hypocrisy her devotion to my welfare
serpents cunning, assumed the better to
t~trayfsr !i"s"iic' ''''
s,Bntwhatepdthadsh she inyiewf What
yersaSr hnoiyes Of action I" asked Daddy
9abaret. mo one acts in the way you
describe without , motive,, and that
powerful one"
Noel clenched both his hands tightly
togather, with bitter laugh.
.Her motive waa that her ownson might
enjoy what rightly belonged to me-" ~ {
aHer own sonw echoed bis listener. GA
THAT, unsuspected, he should assuua
sreat name-a very great Ehainne! Ny
name, Monsieur Tabaret, with q fortune
to maintain tan immense fortune! A
giorious fortune! Ny fortune! fest-'
high name:-great weslth!-grand posi-
ton! This sastaaipas sSniah has robbed
2. .aar' I. -! 4.!hougaRsaye fsbaarsstt,4 ast4i in whom
cited, and whose Subtle fosee already scent
e1lseuas great secrt,Eha!' The cork is
beginning to move at last" 20! .74Grs
This Is What he thought. What he said
wss a. follows:-@A serious accusstion,my
daar boy. = very serious aeensation! And
10 bai;sve 1t, one must give Madame Ger
Ay credit for mingled sudacity and cum
nipg rarely combined in one and the sams
nerson:: Ai'o have conceived, and to have
successfully carried out such a scheme ss
the one YOU charge her with, she must
have been advised. directed, and held In
Eheek kby some more powerful intelligence
.tbsn heslokn. SShee must hSSe: had ac-
Reoi,,psicessard able ones, TOO. ft's i'm
|.,ossible that she could have scted .alons!
EAs. even her husband"
-Hat-sssbandF' interruptsd tho young
as.ris4ef, Ssith another derisivss laugh:
sAnd you bes<xs in her pathetic story of
. long widowhodA-o weeds and tears
.ss.,sayf w7llows, sxblss tombs, grass
sr,,,vn eraveeA-and ~ the paraphernalia
s ss.:;.;h Ssbes Nh wa Isoc!ety calls re-
srcetabIs death! Hsr Husband has ceased
toseEistAlsimrly .Decze hsT never exist
e'ts,l u 4 ,E1r,fr', r, I.5.,s,,N,b 10 ~ j.. i,