The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-08-13
TeINETTE

the letter, grandfather, and will new
err think Of sending for the girlg"
IL don't know about that" replied
grandfather Abney.
His
eued her black eyes.
what 7"
"In spite of the past, she is my
own blood. Blood rs thicker than
water, Brenda"
Brenda's handsome face famed
crimson 10 the roots of her raven
hair.
IL should think the past was
enough she said rapidly. "Miser-
able low set! 1t shames me to think
of them J"
"Tbe girl-my niece-msy not be
q st. Leon. She nay be more like
her mother"
Brenda's eyes then sparkled with
anger.
"You seem quite in favor with the
idea, grandfather, she said bitterly.
ain favor of what, Brenda 7"
Recognising this Toinette st.
Leon-allowing her to have any
claims on you"
"She has claims on me, whether |
recognize and allow them or not
She is the orphan child of my only
sister, left upprovided for. ! did not
like her father-I did not approve OF
the life Katherine led with him. But
Gaspar st. Leon is dead; Katherine,
too, is dead. Her child is q young
girl Of sixteen, left homeless and
without means though she seems
not without friends" thoughtfully
regarding the letter in bis hand.
Another Frenchman /! Ignace De.
nonville. Who may be be 7"
Grandfather Abney slowly read
the address at the bottom of the
sheet.
"A respectable though not an arts
tocrstic part of the city"
"You will 60 and see him, he will
prevail on you, and we shall have an
artful, intriguing French actress
here ]"
Brenda's feelings were too much
for her, and she left the room.
Grandfather Abney sat in his arm
chair, looking troubled. Brenda's
displeasure did not make much differ
ence to him, even though he knew
the whole family would correspond.
ingly be in arms, for be was q man
accustomed to Judge and act for him
self, but be was doubtful which il
was best to do.
Twenty years before his young sis.
ter had Economically and foolisbly run
away with q travelling actor, by name
Gaspar st. Leon, and eve after the
brother and sister had mutually
Stunned each other. The former
was ashamed of the latter, and doubt
less poor Katherine st. Leon was
more deeply ashamed of herself.
Wandering from place to place
with but scanty means of subsistence
her life was but little better than Q
tramp's. Her husband was still
handsome, but had little stability O
character, and utterly failed to pro
vide suitably fer her.
Exactly the date of her death wal
not known, but she lived to bear, and
partly rear, q daughter. She wal
buried in q Catholic burying-ground
by her husbands family.
1t was one of Grandsire Abneyi
secrets that be had found the IN
marked grave, and stood over it will
o sore heart.
And now, after twenty years, hat
come a letter, saying that this Toin
et,e was poor, and praying her IN
cle's aid for her. He observed tina
the girl had not written the lette
herself, but that proved nothing. Sh
might be too modest or, OF the 9th
or hand, she might not know her owl
deeds-might not are for name o
standing, and have no suitable prid'
and ambition. He did not want t
take q person of bad tendencies IN
der his roof.
His family consisted of three Q
his sons children, Brenda, Berth
and Paul, each one darker, more bril-
liant and more selfish than the Other
and each, in the minds eye, provide
with Q fortune from the grandfather
store.
Grandfather Abney was reporte,
weslthy-very wealthy. Lakehom
was certainly o lovely place full @
luxury, and surrounded by every ma
tural beauty. A beautiful lake Law
ed the banks of the garden; thI
cupola overlooked the seas whit
sails.
Savsnts and men of genius met i
the library; Brenda's literary clul
and Berths's musical friends met i
the drswing-room; Paul had hi
smoking.room and dog-kennels as b
wilIed.
A most comfortable home, an
grandfather Abney was ageing; !
would be theirs only the more certain
ly in the future.
Some may have wondered tina
their hearts did not incline them t
this other homeless girl. Had the,
known Paul and Brenda and Berths
they would have realized that thu
was quite out Of the question. Woul
they not be obliged, probably, {
share grandfather Abney's wealth
Was it not enough that they were a
ready casting sharp glances at eac
other?
Well, grandfather Abney pondere
several hours in bis armchair. A
last he rose, took his hat and bis ell
ony cane, and sailed forth.
At length be found the street b
was in search of, and then began {
look for the number. 1t was upon
public building, full Of Offices an
studios.
He entered and read the names ~
on the door. At last he came to on
bearing . card, "Ignace Denonvill,
Artist
He knocked. and was babe "Com
in !n
Softened lights, simple studies {
drspery, IN easel, and q young mar
palette in hand, q profusion of golde
curls under the soft velvet cap.
Il wish 70 9 Mr.. Ignace Denor
Vile"
~ Am he. monsieurr