The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-10

hood. A rejected sutton OF Marietta, he
had never ceased to haunt her Whenever
the young girl went out 10 the fields, or to
the bank OF tho river where the women
washed their family linen, she was almost
certain OF meeting Claude on the way,
with his cold, steely eyes fixed on her
With clinched hands, as he thought OF
the sweet expressions Of love exchanged
between Marietta and Francois, the young
man walked on, congratuating himself,
however, on the lucky chance that
brought him near the hedge just in time
10 ovcrhear them.
"Well, 50 be it, - said he, pressing his
thin lips together. LET Francois go and
see his uncle and cajole the old man. I'll
then tell what I've heard. LA! Ia! |
think see how the frowns will gather on
his forehead when he learns Of the aiiec-
Tomato attentions that are 10 be shown
him aud the motive for such solictude."
Claude tried TO summon a smile But
would not be fool 10 give myself any
uneasiness about the matter? Times will
have to change indeed before Pere Landry
will lot single yellow piece slip from be-
tween his fingers. Who knows whether
the old man will ever let his nephew cross
his thrcshold?"
Claude soon found out his mistake as 10
this last supposition. for Pere Landry re-
ccived his nephew with cordial welcome.
Within n couple of weeks the latter went
10 see the old fellow three or four times,
and Claude learned with his own eyes that
Landry accompanied Francois as far M the
door, bcstowing many tokens Of affection
upon him.
at is evident that I'll have TO speak 10
the old man. reflected Claude. 81 will
go 10 see him tomorrow
He found il hard task 10 turn informcr.
Yet he summoned all his boldness, and
avaling himself OF the moment when he
knew Pere Landry would be alone he
went 10 his house and related without in
corruption what he had heard, not failing
TO add few particulars OF his own inven-
ton. Pere Landry listened with np?a-
rent calmnes4 When Claude had finished,
he remained silent; then all nj once cx-
claimed
"You love Maricttc yourself, doyou not,
my lad2'
ooh, yes"
Every good. was wondering why you
had become SO much interested in me. |
understand now. II is your own interest
that brings you here"
"My interest Well, | don't deny 1t,
but Il h yours also.
"llumph minc and what is mine is 80
little, 30 little" growled the old man.
at must be Tor the money they think !
have. Hal hal how heartily IL makes one
laugh when people call mo richl Wen.
my lad am much Obliged 10 YOU for tho
trouble you have taken, but IL Is uscless
Those who are counting on what | may
give them are making mistaken calcula-
ton. Does Francois expect anything |
don't Know anything about that You
say No, and | should not like 10 doubt
your word, but the news would bear moro
weight, you understand, II II came from
anybody else"
Claude bit his lips and turned pale.
Pcp bandry arose without looking nc
him, and went on: "Ihcy are foolish.
very FOOLISH ho muttcrcd. with u little
forced laugh, these people who believe
that ! have been able Ia lay anything
aside. Alnsl ! have seen too many un-
lucky years for that" Then, turning to
Claude
"My lad, you can go" Claude, stung
into fury, turned away from the old man.
II seemed ~ II hc bad only aroused A1s.
plciOn aud distrlist against himself Such
was certainly not the welcome lac had ex-
pcclcd. "Cursc himl" he multered, for
lac felt almost ms angry now with the old
n.n %, hc w.,H v 80. f.thc0is ~ Ss.-i~fs..-7
Everybody seemed icngucd against him.
lie did not sleep that night lie was con-
sinnily hearing the sncrring voice OF Pcrc
Landry repeating, "lla, IL makes ms
laugh heartily 10 be taken fora rich mani"
aud then the old man broke into a shrill
cacklc that shook his ancient shoulders.
suddenly his mcrrimcnt wis cXchan ycd Tor
an expression of anxiety aud fright.
Stretched To their widest his startled eyes
were staring under the impulse Ut terror M
metallic Jingle made itself heard bc.
hind him. The noise was like that oi gold
en- coin slipping down upon the floor.
The sound was repeated at intervals, bc.
coming louder M the pieces fell thicker
and lester, cllnk,ns aud unklinr IN when
large sack ui coin Is hastily cmpticd.
Tue olh man became quito brcathlcss. lilo
reached out his arms ~, u IN hide some
thing tutoring ns ho did so sinister
laugh, which he sirpyr to prDlong so ~ 10
hldo thc clink Of gold behind him
Several iimoB this scene appeared 90 the
Imagination ~ CLAUDE and disturbed his
slccp. IL finally haunted him. Ito saw
the old man constantly bcioc him, with
his hidden gold aud idiOiic laugh. one
night the ilcr Ut Francois appeared long
with that of bis uncle.
Surprised 10y hts nephew the old man
huuirl a. conceal his gold, aud said to
him flush hush' poor boy. We will
dividrit."
Claude nwokc greatly disturbed. "what
nonsense hc said 60 himself after q mao.
mcnt TO believe that the old man would
give anybody plrl oi his gold" Then,
rejecting "NCyrr mind. u The old mans
gold was gone ! should bc morc at case"
CHAPTER uL
At last Claude even wished thieves
would rrt into thc old mans hnusr aud
carry % the gold. llui how would the
rubbur get inl Claude puzzled a long time
over the problem. The house at Nil ht
WIS always 30 securely clUscd. Tha. WIS
the difficulty Every detail OF this hucicd
burglary Claude weighed aud considered.
approving one thing. rejecting another.
"llow stupidity these follows hcginl What
arc they loing tLcrr7 II seems To me II
were in their place." This go WIS
the iicsh and bone reality In the place OF
vague shadow.
And then Claude imagined himself nt
work lie would measure with bis eve
The hight ul the walls aud the accessibility
ui the windows lie would make the tour
Of iho house, sp u.s. 10 lind ils weak points.
There was nothing revolving ca him u
ihIL Tie found rather un irresistible nt.
Z. iIHu in such % mysterious investigation
N' charm that belongs % any HCureh iu-