Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-07-31


interview. II has made me doubt my
courage. l thought was firm In my
resolution, and now my strength de-
serts me. am sad. sadder than you
can know. at the thought of parting
from you forever"
"Console yourself. Paul"
Never" he murmured And then
he added, in a faltering voice: ut is
a cruel torment for him whose happi-
ness Is vanishing to have vision OF 1T
still before him. Goodbye. Jeanne. "
Goodbye, Paul. My father and
the notary are waiting for you to settle
your affairs"
With an unsteady step. his face very
pale, he returned to the house and
entered the room where Al. de Rosel,
the notary. and Pierre awaited him.
"My friend" said the first, "we are
engaged, M. Planter and l, in ex-
aiming into your affairs. Nearly
100000 francs have been spent in two
years. You must have had good deal
of pleasure for that prlcep"
"Say rather that the time was sadly
and foolishly wasted"
"Are you aware that you have been
outrageously robbedP"
well, what else could | expectp A
person who does not know how to take
care of his own should not complain il
it is taken from him"
1.-The tradesmen with whom you
have dealt have presented absurd bills.
The people from whom you have Dor.
rowed money have charged you in.
terest at the rate of fifty per cent"
"Well, that is the business o.
usurers."
"You take the matter very easily.
However, it is necessary to make them
disgorge."
by what means can / do SOP"
you might appeal to their con-
SCIENCE
Conscience is coin that is not
current among them"
Suppose we try to move themP"
1--WE would have our labor for our
pains. Indeed, l do not know who
they are"
IL will enlighten you. They are
Pierre, myself and third person who
is the most guilty Of us all. soon
perceived (and Pierre, who is far
seeing person, was Of the same opin-
ion) that it would be impossible to ar
rest you in your eXtravagant course,
carried away as you were by the ardor
of youth. We determined therefore
to limit your prodigality by every
means in our power. Tradesmen,
counting the risks they run with
young men of wealth who let their
money slip through their fingers,
greatly increase the amounts of the
bills they send them. 1t was arranged,
however, with those with whom you
have dealt that, in consideration of
being paid at certain time. the
amount of their claims should not be
unreasonable. You went into debt
and it became necessary for you to
borrow money, and Pierre, in whom
you have had blind confidence, under
took to obtain it for you. AT this point
the third accomplish comes on the
scene. This person was very exacting
and took mortgages on your posses
sions, which were hypothecated for
their full value. 1t has been ascer-
tanned, however, after careful exam
ination Of the schedules Of your in
debtedness, that you have really spent
only $4,000 francs. which is certainly
n very reasonable price for the expert
ence you have acquired. Your assets,
therefore, amount TO about 250,0
francs. The person in question has
taken advantage OF your carelessness
and ignorance of business affairs.
think, however, that an arrangement
can be made by appealing to her sense
of fairness"
The Baron was astonished.
You know this person thenP" he
asked.
"Yes, and you also. Your creditor.
your usurer. Is Jeanne Rosel."
The young girl had entered noise
lessly and overheard this conversation.
She approached the three men, say
ing:
Yes, Paul, it was I. During these
years OF foolish dissipation / have
never lost sight Of you. knew that
though you yielded at times to wrong
impulses your heart was right and
that when your reason returned you
would again be the same Paul as of
old, with whom I have so often talked
i'm this room. I was able, with my
fathers consent, to use the fortune
left me by my mother as / saw fit, and
in what manner / have employed it
you know. You will not be pressed
for payment"
Suppose I insist on immediate pay
ment OF the full face OF the mort
gagesP"
well, perhaps M. Planter can
make some useful suggestion"
"A marriage contract is the best
means I can suggest of getting you
out of your Embarrassment" said the
notary, smiling.
80 Jeanner' said the Baron, ''you
have reopened for me the heaven
which l thought was closed against
me forever How can / ever repay
youP"
Old Pierre. who had been silent
spectator during this scene, the end of
which he foresaw. approached his
master and said:
II told you, monsieur, that would
never leave you"
"Ah! YOU are monster OF dissimu-
lation,n exclaimed the Baron, smiling.
At that moment the door OF the
dining-room was thrown open. A de-
licious odor rose from the steaming
SOM tureen and the table glittered