The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-06-24

nearly week AFTER breeding somewhat
gloomily over the future, when the decrepid
old concierge aroused him from his media.
tlons, by thrusling card into hls hand, with
the remark;
"A grand gentleman is waiting below, IN
his carriage, to see If Monsieur Chenevlerc
will receive HIM. Here is the card"
Henri read, Victor Comtc dc F'lcuris," and
recognized the name of one, well known IN
the artistic world, whose patronage WAS sue.
cess, ana whose acquaintance, therefore, was
coveted by every artists in the city.
There must be some mistake" sad he,
passing his hand across his brow in bewllGer,
ment. "Nlsltors IN carriages do not come to
me, especially the Comte de Fleurls,"
Yes, yes" SAID the old woman impatIently,
ri. Is all right; he had your card and address
in his hand"
Very well, then. Ask the gentleman to
walk up, But OF course there is some mis-
take" he muttered to himself, as the old wo.
man hobbled OIL
A moment after there was knock at the
door, and when Henri opened 1t he found
himself bowling low to al elegantly dressed,
fine looking, middle.aged gentleman, who en-.
tered tie room almost without invitation, and
paused for moment, dumb with admiration,
before Henri's exquisite Madonna, which still
stood on its easel, IN the centre of the room.
"Monsiaur Cheneviere, / congratulate you.
You are genius" said he, at last, turning
round, and extending his hand to the young
man, who was surveying his visitor in some
surprise. "Can it be that am the first who
has discovered this? But you don't seem to
recognize me?"
Henri gazed at him in increasing amaze.
ment. Very familiar seemed the voice, and
surely he had seen features very like those OF
his guest; but those features had been bag
gard and gaunt, while these
Monsieur, can it be?' he stammcred. "Are
you really the gentleman who was with US in
the Catacombs ?"
Yes, Monsieur Chenevlere, | am the man
who is your debtor, beyond anything that
words can express. You rescued me, almost
at the expense of your own life, and OF that of
one dearer to you than yourself; and though
can never hope TO discharge the obligation
| can, at least show myself not unmiadful of
1t. VIII you be my friend" And the two men
clasped hands in friendship which only
death was able to sever.
A long conversation followed, in relation
principally to Henri's circumstances and pros
poets, the Compile ending all by saying, "You
have rare genius, which it shall be my pleas.
ure 70 cultivate. have no son, and there Is
no one IN the world whom | could more wish
to fill that position than yourself; for we be.
came well acquainted during those two dread
iul days, and the inquiries have since made
have only substantated the opinion l then
formed Of you"
Henri attempted some protest, but was in,
terrupted. "Hush, there can be no question Of
obligation between us two!"
From that time Henri's fortunes were
changed; his studio was removed to build
ing near the Comte de Fleuris' elegant hotel
on the Champs Elpsees, and henceforth the In.
tluence of his powerful benefactor, aiding his
own talent raised him to the foremost rank OF
artists.
A month after, the marriage of Henri and
Evire was celebrated with great rejoicings.
Monsieur de Comte not only gave away the
bride, but gave with her a dowry such as he
would have bestowed on his own daughter
and in the years of happiness which followed,
the Comte de Fleuris and his proteges learned
to bless their terrible experience IN THE Gaia.
COMBS.