The morning call., 1891-12-13

old fnol." he added, roughly. " I offered him
5000 francs for the business, and he says it
Is worth 5000"
Five thousand francsp exclaimed Bar
rand. THE old jew! You stick to 5000.
He'll close with you"
He wont close with you for three" l
said. "He wont let his business go across
the water for less than five."
knew I1e would despise me for saving
this; but NaSseurS manner always angered
me.
I'D give him as much as he'd take on
this side. A price is price," said Barraud
he wants your money too much to let
your offer slip. He wont get another in
hurry"
'Oh, he's got a customer in his eye" went
on NasSeur. looking at me significantly.
ASK your nephew if it is not So"
felt the color rush to my cheeks. don't
know which | felt angrier with-Nicolas for
mentioning the matter to VaSseur, or Vas
seur for dragging 1t up then.
Mind your own business, Andre Vas
Seur," | said.
lit is ny own business" he retorted, "if
l want the yard, and he means to make me
walt until you have try at getting the
money TOR it first"
You'll be fool, Michel" said my uncle.
IN you go borrowing from Peter TO pay
Paul"
No fear, uncle said; i've no inten-
tion OF borrowing"
NO, went on V aSSeuf. aelnan spoke
OF fan better plan than borrowing"
Why, what" began my uncle. with a
sharp glance from Vasseur to me.
Monsieur Andre" broke in Zoe, sud
den! y. " wish you had brought your violin
Tonight | should like to hear if you have
forgotten Yankee Dondle.''
Forgotten it!' exclaimed Vasseur, tax
ing very different tone. LAS if | should
forget any ming you are SO good as to teach
me. You shall hear me play it tomorrow
evening""
So we went there one evening after an
other. and | only ventured into her pres
ence now and again; and she taught him
tunes, and lie always had a pretty speech
| ready for her. while | only made.a fool Of
myself before her.
GOOD night, all, said abruptly, getting
up to go.
Good night" said my uncle. without
| moving.
Good night, cousin" said Zoe, giving me
long look from those strange eyes of hers
L taxed old Taelman about having gus
sipped about me to VasSeur.
81 said no harm, lad" he replied inno-
Gently. L only told him | wanted to sell
you the yard. and that | hoped you'd find
the price somehow. He jeered and said
something about you and your cousin Zoe.
| told him hoped she would have you.
That was ALL"
Quite enough, too" said
Alter that DO not know when | should
have gone 10 BarrauI's again, ii one even
ing Nicolas had not asked me 10 20 and
speak to my uncle about an order he had
given at the yard. | was glad 20 have an
excuse for going / bought | would show
them all-Nas>eur, too, il he were there
that had no intention OF coming as woOer.
81 didn't smarten up at all just went
as | came out Of the yard.
1t was nasty night. A bitter wind was
driving from the northeast against the flow
OF the river, which was swollen and muddy
from heavy rains.
When | got to my uncle's | found him
deep i'll business with MaitTe Rollin, the no.
tary from DInant.
SIT down and wait" he said, CURLY,
when ] Numbered straight into my mes
sage. We are occupied, and Maitre Kol-
lln'S train goes in half All hour"
l crossed the room and sat down by Zoe
who had scarcely looked up as | came in. l
supp Sed she had been expecting NaSSeur,
ana was disappointed at seeing only me.
You haven't been here for quite long
time. Cousin Michel" she said, softly.
Il come cutie rs often as I'm wanted" |
ans "ered, as cOoly as | could. but my heart
was beating so loud that l thought she
would hear 1t.
you know best about that, of course,
cousin, she replied.
And l expect" | went on, that l shall
come less after whiie-n0t at all, in fact"
'Why?" she asked quickly, looking full
at me; you aren't going away? NJ. An
DIRE has not bought ths stOue-yard."
Not yet; but, for all that, think | shall
CO. | shall do better elsewhere"
\ gu are the best judge of that, too" she
replied still looking at me.
great longing came over me TO let her
know why | wanted TO go; but | was not
clever at tJidlng up my meaning 50 that it
could be taken without being spoken out
plain, and, while l was hesitating, | heard
MaItre ROllin saying:
mo, no. my dear Monsieur Barraud the
current Is very strong tonight I'd rather
have your nephew put ME across, if he'll be
SO good: lie S younger and stronger than
you or |. y
l got up mechanically, forgetting my en-
rand, and went out with Maitre Rolln.
And when Is NJ demoiselie Zoe going to
make up her mind?" lie said. as we got into
the boat.
l made as though did not hear, and
when once we were off | had too much tu do
wiki puntlng across stream TO talk or to be
talked TO- 1t was real hard work, and
when Maitre Rollin had babe me good night
and had jumped ashore, / stood leaning on
my pole for 4 lew minutes getting back my
breath. As l waited l heard some one
speaking
yes, yes, the boat is there" shouted
Maitrc Rolin, in answer. Good night; l
don't want to miss the train"
You wont-you've got ten minutes. Good
night"
1t was Andre Vasseur l saw him through
the darkness coming down to the water.
81 want to cross" he shouted.
took no head, but began to push off: be-
fore | could get clear, however, he had
sprung into the boat
who's that ferrying?" he cried angrily
Why did you push off when called ,"
because | didn't wish to do you a sery-
ice, Andre Vasseur," l replied.