Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-04-05

Paul entered into the Dreamy and peace
! full state of convalescence, his eyes rested
always upon the fresh and charming
face Of this young girl who had volnn-
tarily and for many days past been his
nurse He recalled the thousand and
one cares of which he had been the
recipient, and Of which he had taken
count but vaguely in the weakness of
| body and brain produced by serious
| illness. A strange, sweet emotion in
vaded his heart. He extended his hand
to Jeanne, who smiled and gave him her
own with charming grace and gentle
ness.
From this on the cure proceeded
rapidly.
"when the invalid would be able to leave
/ his rooD."
And gradually, as strength returned
to his feeble body, love increased in his
heart, and the tender, unaccustomed
/ sentiment, combined with the warm sun
of April, contributed not little to
hasten complete recovery.
Strange as it may seem, though in
stances are not rare where the force of
true affection overpowsrs and etfaces all
memory of the causes that have given it
birth, Paul at this point was so absorbed
in his dream that he had absolutely for
gotten the events that had furnished the
motive of his descent upon Puy, when an
incident occurred that brusquely re-
called him to reality.
do you know, Paul" said Martha to
him one morning-"I have forgotten to
tell you of it before-that a gentleman
has been here regularly every day to ask
for news fyou"
"a gentleman? Oh. yes" replied
Paul. whose cheeks had flushed little
yes. Sir Arthur Jacobson, was it
not?'
That was the NAME" said Martha,
adding inquiringly, "a friend Of yours,
perhaps!"
eyes, friend"-with a bitter smile.
81 must see him soon. Tomorrow ]
shall be able to leave the house, and it
shall be my first visit"
AS flash Paul had comprehended the
immensely of the peril that awaited him
that he had returned to life again
simply that his enemy should take it
from him. Yes, those two first encount-
ers were truly insignificant, though
showing him what he had to expect; the
third one was inevitably death. The
mcmbered it well-had struck immedi-
ateIy in the center of the brow. Death!
when love sang in his heart, and the
future smiled before him, filled with the
sweetest promises 1t was indeed too
much, and the vindictiveness, Paul told
himself, of a brute rather than man.
Blind fury took possession Of him
toward this ferocious adversary who al
lowed him to take breath only to strike
him down the surer. This time it should
be a duel to the death between them.
but one and Paul prayed for it devoutly
where consciousness of right would
put in the hand of the feeble a superior
force that would lead to victory.
The next morning, bright and early,
still feverish with anger burning IN his
heart, but very resolute not to wait till
the peril came to seek him, so eager was
he to finish it. Paul sailed out alone,
certain of encountering him whom he
sought Nor were his expectations dis
appointed, for at the end of the street
in which he lived he perceived Sir Ar
thur coming, as usual, to inform himself
Of his victims progress. Paul did not
give him time to speak.
81 know, monsieur" said he, "that
you still await me. If submit to this
last exaction it is because [ also have
desire to finish once for all with the
cruelty of your pursuit, but put con-
dition upon this final encounter-that it
shall not take place until month from
to-day-that is to say, the morning af-
ter the day when [ shall give my name
and property to young girl whom |
love with all my heart, who loves me in
return, and who will be my wife"
'You are "oing to be married, then?"
said ~ir Arthur, with an accent of in
terest and curiosity. ''In that case |
will wait; bat, of course, under the cir
cumstances"- and he gazed at Paul
fixedly-' you will permit me to assist at
the nuptial benediction!"
"Certainly," replied Paul, but very
coldly; II know nothing to prevent it, -
and bidding each other a courteous good
morning, the two men parted.
One month later precisely, the permit Of
the Marie and the benediction Of the
priest united Paul and Jeanne, the latter
robes. Paul, also, was very happy
despite the fact that his happiness was
tinctu,ed with secret sadness, and &C
copied with a proud and Joyous smile
the congratulations showered upon him /
at the door of the sacristy by the throng
Of guests. The last of the file was Sir
Arthur jacobson, who said to him, in an
undertone, as he slipped into his hand
tiny casket of chased gold, and turned
away:
"My present to you, monsieur"
With the eyceDtiOn of the family and