Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-03-29

the stone" y.
The voice died away. The doctor saw his
lips continue to move for some time as it
they were struggling to express words that
could no longer be heard. A convulsive
shiver shook the whole frame, then all grew
quiet. Monsieur Duret had breathed his
last.
Shortly after Rose returned. Her grief,
on hearing of the death of her guardian,
was silent but sincere. He was the only
one who had had any care Of her life and,
knowing human pity, as yet, only through
this stern benefactor, her tenderness had
flowed over him for want of more worthy
object.
Cousin Tricot and wife found her kneel-
ing by the dead man, her face pressed
against one of his hands, which was wet
with her tears. They had just received
news of the sherif's death, and had hasten
ed to do their last duties to the defunct, and
to make sure of tFeirTights over what he
had left. They began to take possession of
the house by carrying off the keys, hidden
under their late relatives bolster; then
Tricot left his wife in charge of the proper
ty, and fastened away to execute the neces-
sary formalities for the funeral. Rose look
ed in vain for word Of sympathy from the
farmers wife. She was left desolate by the
side of the dead till men came to take away
the bier.
The young girl had courage enough to
follow the procession to the cemetery, but
she came back with faltering strength and
a sad heart. Arrived at the threshold, she
hesitated to enter. Tricot and his wife,
who had already arrived, had begun taking
an inventory of what was to be theirs; the
closet doors were open, the furniture in dis
order. With an aching heart, Rose seated
herself on stone bench which stood near
the door.
AS she sat with her hands clasped around
her knees and her head dropping, voice
calling her by name, caused her to raise her
streaming eyes. She perceived M. Four
nier, who seeing her sorrow, had come to
try to console her.
At first Rose could answer his kind words
only by tears. The young man asked her
gently why she was lingering outside, and
advised her to meet and conquer the pain
full feeling that she would feel on first en-
tering.
"Atfliction is like bitter draught, D. said
he; ''the best way is to drink. it at single
swallow. Pauses and delays increase the
pain by dividing it,"
"Pardon, Sir" said Rose, in low voice.
''I do not linger here on account of my sad
feelings, but am afraid of disturbing the
relatives if I 60 in"
"They have come, then ?" said M. Four
nier, interrogatively.
eyes, with M. lie Blanc"
"The old notary condemned for dishon-
esty?"
"Hush! he may hear you"
Fournier cast a glance indoors and saw
Tricot and his wife engaged in emptying
closets.
"Bless mel" he cried, "they are taking
all they can find. .''~t~'-.~
"They have the right" answered Rose
gently.
"That remains to be seen," returned
Fournier, crossing the SILL
The eX-notary who was busily pulling
out papers from an immense portfolio,
found in the closet of the defunct, turned as
he heard the newcomers step.
"Stop, Sir !" cried the young man; "it
isn't your place to examine these writings"
"Why not ?" demanded NJ. LIE Blanc
"Because they may concern the dead
mans heirs"
"Well, and aren't we his heirs, I should
like to know ?" interposed Tricot.
"You cannot be sure of that" replied
Fournier; I'M. Duret may have left will"
"a willw repeated the farmer and his
wife, looking at each other, aghast.
"Monsieur himself may be in possession
of one," insinuated LIE Blanc, blandly.
''I do not say that" replied the physi-
clan; "but the defunct has positively de-
clared to me his intentions in that respect" "
"And Monsieur, no doubt, was to inher-
it," said LIE Blanc, with the same ironical
politeness.
The doctor Redeemed.
"There is no question of me in the mat
ter" he exclaimed, impatiently, "but of
the god-daughter of Father Duret."
"Ah, ha! it is for Rose you are speak
ing" interrupted Perrine Tricot, in a shrill
voice; "the gentleman is then some connec-
ton OF hers, since he interests himself so for
her,
81 am her friend, Madame"
He was interrupted by coarse laugh
from the two Tricots.
"Ionsieur has no doubt then, power of
attorney"
"I firmly intend to make her rights re-
spected by all the means in my power"
said Fournier, who avoided direct reply {;
"although not versed in law, know that
in such cases as the present, certain formal
tiles of protection are commanded and
must be observed. Before taking posses
sion of the dead mans property, we must
find out to whom it belongs"
"And if we are taking it Professionally
demanded the lawyer, continuing to handle
the contents of the portfolio.
.'Then you will have to give an account
for this violation of the law"
"By means of a lawsuit, perhaps; but
lawsuits are expensive amusements, Mr..
Doctor, and your protege would find it
hard, l imagine, to get the thing started"
''In other words, you would take advan-
tage of her poverty to deprive her of her
right" cried Fournier Indignantly.
"No, only to make sure of our own," re-
piled LIE Blanc, TRANQUILITY.
"Well, then, it is who insist upon the
execution of the law" resumed Fournier,
with energy. "The dead man has received
from me medical attendance, medicine, help
of various kinds. AS creditor of the estate,