Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-02-15
CHAPTER XIX.


all that had been hidden in that poor boys
heart was plain to him. Added to this
thought was the fear of losing his only child,
and he began to wish he had never left Amer
lea, where they had been at peace. But
what was done was done. He now had to
think of her and her happiness only, that was
if she lived.
When be reached the house at daybreak be
almost feared to enter the room, but he mus
tered what courage he could and opened the
door softly and made two steps forward,
when be saw Suzanne lying with her beauti.
full violet eyes, now preternaturally large,
wide open and sweet smile upon her lips,
and she stretched out her hands, saying fee.
bly,:
HOh, father, how happy ami"
Roger held out his arms to Raymond, who,
after one minute Of hesitation, threw himself
into Roger Laroque's embrace.
Raymond knew from Rogers eyes that his
mother was dead, but neither dared say a
word before Suzanne, and as her father
kissed her tenderly he said:
II am obliged to send Raymond away from
you for day or two, my child, on business
that brooks of no delay; but you will be
brave and spare him, will you nota For your
fathers sake and for Raymond's future,
which is now to be passed by your side"
Suzanne, too weak to talk, made an affirm
ative sign, and Raymond bent over her and
pressed his first kiss on her lips-his seal Of
betrothal.
Raymond knew all; his mother had e1-
plated her crime, and her soul had passed to
higher Judge, and Roger had forgiven her;
and if his mother was forgiven, then, at last,
he might accept the joy that such forgive
ness brought.
The two men went out together and Ray
mond heard all there was to tell, and he
went to Meridon farm to pay the last sad
rites to his erring mothers ashes
Roger loved his child, and he was willing
that she should become Raymond's wife; but
that did not prevent him from feeling bis
loss, and as he walked his thoughts went, as,
indeed, they always had, back to the days
when his beloved wife was with him, before
this cruel tragedy had taken place. He had
loved Henriette truly and profoundly, and
her memory was always bright and tenderly
kept in his heart Of hearts.
Thu day was Saturday, and it was for this
night that the appointment with Luversan
was made at Larouette's cottage, in Vile
d'Avray, which Roger had rented some days
before. Everything had remained just as 1t
was the day of the murder. Nothing was
changed, and Roger was obliged to be there
punctual to his appointment, to make an
effort to discover the real assassin in order to
clear his own name.
Suzanne, the doctor said, was now out OF
danger, and Roger left her in his charge and
that of the nurse for the night, and she
seemed to be so well that he had no fear.
Roger had written Tristot and Pivolot to
come there as early as o'clock, and they,
acting on his orders, induced M. Lacroix and
NJ. De Lignerolles to accompany them. The
latter, though not knowing what they were
wanted for, We're both on hand at the
hour appointed, and were taken at once
to room adjoining the one where
Roger intended to receive Luversan and
where Larouette had been killed. Tristot
took the lead, and somehow managed to make
those two men, usually so positive and opin-
donated, accept their demand that they should
wait there, and promised they should see
something worth all their pains. They were
duly introduced to Mr.. William Forney, and
found him pleasant gentleman, though
little mysterious in wishing them to come
here in so peculiar manner, but they were
sufficiently curious to await the scene pre-
pared for them.
1t was about o'clock when Luversan de-
scended from the train and took his way
along the street towards the cottage, and he
looked nervously about him and felt reas-
sured as he saw none but strange faces.
He went slowly along the street until
he came to the cottage, and there, in spite
of all he could do, he slipped to the
darkest side and kept as much as pos
sible under the shadow of those same trees
which had sheltered him before. In spite OF
all he could do he was afraid.
But he knew what was at stake and ne
went to the door this time, as he had not
done before, and rang the bell. Roger HIM
self opened it, saying carelessly:
Excuse me. I have no servants yet, ex-
cept Mother Dondaine, who cooks and man.
ages for me for the present"
Luversan gave his hand to Roger, who
noticed that it was cold and damp, and that
he shvered, though the night was warm.
"Are you ill!" said Roger.
"No. I walked rapidly; that is ALL"
They went up the few steps leading to the
little sitting room, and thoug h Luversan tried
to smile, it was more Of grimace that dis
figured his features, and his breathing seemed
oppressed as they entered the fatal room, and
Luversan made a gesture of horror as he
noticed everything as they had been fixed in
his memory for ten years.
"Come in, come in," said Roger. "It isnot
very pleasant here, but it is odd, and therefore
pleases ME. took it because / heard there
was ghost, but there isn't after all. Here is
the very room and there beside that secretary
the spot where the old man they tell us Of
was murdered, and they found his body right
there where you stand"
Luversan stepped back quickly and looked
mechanically Oh the floor, saying hoarsely:
as that bloodi"
"No, no." replied Roger. "Thc fools washed
that up. / wish they had left it. But you
appear uneasy. Don't you like the placer
at is not that; it is that what you are about
to answer me is of such mighty Importance
that I am anxious"
"Oh, yes; well, that is grave, very grave,
and am very sorry-yes, really sorry"-
"What, you refuses"
Wv ell, IO, lioG SAoSey. uoil eAuSlly 10
fuse, but I am not quite ready to accept,
either I will tell you. I understand you
need million. Well, yesterday 1 went to
Paris to get it, but my bankers who hold my
funds persuaded me to tell why wanted it,
and they objected so strenuously that could
not get all wished; and though l happened
to have disposable some 100000 or 100000
francs, have not all, and that is why am
perpexed. Of course, as soon US could send
to New York could let you have the whole,
but that takes so long"
Luversan began to plead and argue and
try to persuade Roger that he could easily
borrow the rest and let him have it in the
morning, but Roger said he never borrowed
and that was out of the question.
u don't contradict you." he said; II might
borrow. it, but won't. have here some
where near 100000, but that is of 10 use to
you, and SO I will keep it." And saying this,
he partly opened the old secretary, letting
Luversan see the rolls and packages of money,
and his eyes glittered as he looked upon them.
sIf had that, would leave the country,
I. DO fo o,l in n