The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-22
CHAPTER VIII.
HOW A PARAGRAPH AFFECTED MADAME GKRD

HOW a fhhhthAfh ar Ell FL
The home of Madame GArdy was one of
the highest responsibility. She was COM
fortahly off in her circumstances; and the
rising position Of her son at the bar had
increased these circumstances into some.
thing like aftlnence.
Madame Gerdy lived very retired life
indeed, seldom seeing any company, with
the exception of few of Noel's friends
who were occasionally invited to dinner
During the fifteen years that Daddy Taba-
ret had visited her. he had only met thr.s
people-the clergyman of the parish an
old schoolmaster who had taught Noel in
his youth and the brother of Madame
Gertly. Il retired colonel in the army.
When these three visitors found them
eelvps together, which was but rarely. they
played round game at cards but Noel
seldom remained after tlinnpr-Shutting
himself up in his rooms, which We're apart
from those of his mother. He was known
to prolong his stn'lies of tine law far into
the night, and often in winter his lamp WAS
only extingrished at dawn.
The mother and son lived Int for one
another those who knew them intimately
spoke in terms of admiration and respect
of the al devotion of Noel-of tn" sac
ri6ces he was supposed to make for her
sake in living, at his nge, the secluded and
austere life of hermit. The rest Of DA,l-
dy Tabaret's tenants would often contrast
the conduct Of this grave, studious young
man with that of their landlord, whom
they looked upon a. a gray-hear,lel Satan
of most incorrgihl" and irregular HABITS.
As for Madame Gerdy, she positively
worshiped her son. In him she SAW united
every moral and physical perfection. If he
spoke, she was silent, and listened. A word
from him was law; glance of his eye.
command. Her existence, in short, was
passed in studying his tastes. tliviniug his
desires, forestalng his fanri"s. AMI M
velopng him in the soft and tender ntmos.
phere Of maternal love.
But to return to Daddy Tabaret. is
Madame Gerdy at homer he asked Of the
servant who opened the door; and, without
waiting for her reply, went in, with rhe
confidence of man who knows the house
he visits, and is almost sure he will he wei
come.
A single wax candle was burning in the
drawing-room, which was not in its accris-
toned order The round table that gen
orally stood in the middle Of tn" apart
ment had been pushed into Il corner. The
large arm-chnir of Madame icray was
near the window. instead Of in its acclIs-
toned place by the chimney corner.
The volunteer of the detective police took
in all these details at Il glance.
"Has anything ,Ilusual happened TO-
day?" he asked of the servant.
"Oh, don't speak of it, sir-don't speak
Of itr' said the girl, mysteriou>ly. "Wr've
all had such fright it's qnite upset ln",
ran assure you, and made me AL Of Z
trpmhle."
"Why. what has been the matterf" ;,
swell, you must know, sir, how i'll NJ
ans has been for til" last month, eating
nothing, 40 to speak, aud so nervous that
she couldn't sleep wink 1T nights. Why.
this very morning rs ever !~as,1sae says to
me, she says"
"Oh, we'll, WE'LL" said Old Corkscrew
dont want TO hear about this morning
What about this -vrili lg2"
Rather disaip ,inr,l at being thus check
ID i'll her bit Of gossip. the servant went o.
10 expl lin that he" mistress had gone afte.
'limnr into the di>t ing room rs usual, and,
seating herself in 'r armchair, had be-
.,ln reading thr newspaper Hardly had
gave a scream Of sn'' II piercing charac-
ter that it echoed through the house. On
rushing in TO ascertain I! - callse, Madame
Gerdy was forlli i&i.. s,.ns.ss on the
carpet. Her sou r..i~..i ;er. and carried
her in his arms "a her :" -,.!!::.,nhar. al
wanted TO run for -. 'ir',nr. added th-
girl. "hut the y"IlaE maSirr wnhlt!n'i |"
ME. He said he knew VIVA was the ma
ter"
"And how il she nnw2"
ashes recovered her sensee-:hA'
suppose she has, for Monsieur Noel ade
me leave the room--in fast, quite Ii,hed
me out Of it. ~ know is that JUS nov
she was speaking very loud-so lo'll til.
could hear her in the kitchen. ALI, sir, L.
very extraordinary. :n- Sa.n-!'
"What's very extr> rtiraryF
"Wlat missus saiu Z, Nj ,!<:sur No"l"
"Ah! all! my GIRL" sncrred Daddy Tab
aret: $50 we listen at doors, do wr2''
"No, sir; would not corilrs end :" he
mean myself to such hasrne-s," S..iI tie
servant, coloruS but mi>>',~ WI almost
shrirIing ont her wur'!s. >hr sari--'
"Aiy good .irI," said l';nt:y T.l.:,r"'. Sc
vrrriy, "l*frnrrs hrHr no r")i # '!''n
selves. ..sk M"rit---shc'- Ia" :srr.t r:.';-
rienta III such ,natters--uad size II Iv.. yJn
nj; nh..;i: il "
The s",vant WAS h.rinnin: u ''"!, "rrla-
n..';,.,:. 'l,'" ~" J.: -. ..::!:''' n"T.
49,, =. ..l... .:.'' h.. ~'! ." - !!ck
I" ..,ii wYi:;. l-,.,I d,l - .i,a: If