St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-03-12

Many years ago. arrived in Paris
pcrfece stranger. and took lodgings q
Meurice's famous English hotel Hlav
ing been shown 10 my apartments an.
made some change in my toilet, wen
out fer short stroll in that great ans
magni 6cent city-that heart, as it were
OF the world had some letters Of in
PRODUCTION, but, Is had not yet pre-
sented them, believed myself who'll,
unknown to living soul in that me
tropolis. except. it might be, to the OH
GERS who read my passport at the gate.
and the clerk who had seen me register
my name, and that either should have
fixed that name in their recollection
was something that INV modesty had
not ye: permitted me to take into con
sideration.
Judge OF my surprise. therefore
when had gone but few steps from
Neurice's, - Rue de Rivoli. toward the
beautiful palace-earden nearly op
posite. to hear myself addressed q
follows:
''Will Monsieur Henry Neville have
the kindness to answer me . few inn
portant questiOns?"
turned to the speaker, and saw II
. glance he was total stranger to mo
that had never. to my knowledge,
looked upon his face before. He was .
middle-aged man. of rather rrepossess-
ing appearance with gray hair. eye
brows and mustache. and was dressed
rs plain, subst antial citizen.
Il will do myself the pleasure to
oblige you," replied. in . polite and
courteous tone. ''Permit me first to
remsrk. however, that you have q
little the advantage of me, in that you
already know my name"
''Monsieur will please know me rs
Eugene St Medard."
Ibid We ever meet before?"
ut Is monsieur that has now b.
come the questioner." rejoined the
Frenchman. with . peculiar smile and
. kind Of formal bow, half dignified.
half polite, a IL he would have said
the questions were only to come from
his side.
Somehow I felt Just . trifie vexed
and nettled at the look and tone, and
remarked. little coldly:
81 take L for granted one has the
same right to ;nterro2ate as the other.
The features Of the stranger grew
grave. Is one who feels little annoyed,
and his reply was impressive, without
being exactly stern.
'.If monsieur will be kind enough to
waive his right in this instance" he
said: 1t may save rs both some time
and trouble"
scarcely knew why-perhaps some
thing in the look. tone and manner
but the idea now suddenly occurred to
me that I WAS speaking to . man in
authority-and I said. respectfully:
proceed. Monsieur St Medard."
"Thank you. monsieur. You are n
Englishman?"
~ am"
"You are distantly related to the
earl of Malvern"
$50 dissast,y that his lordship could
never get ne7r enough to know our
family" I replied. pleasantly. not q |
little surprised that q French stranger |
should know SO much about me, and |
al the while to what result
his quest ons might be tending.
"Ycu were IN only child?"
Eyes"
"Your parents are desd:"
Eyes"
"You were left . small inheritance,
which you have lately converted into
money and brought with you, thinking
il not unlikely you might take . fancy
10 settle on the Continent"
IAN true, monsieur; but your knowl-
Edge of me and my private affairs as
Ionishes me"
..Let that pass The family Of his
|orlship. the earl of Malvern. has been
no near of kin remain TO
him."
1.-TWO profigate sons of . deceased
lister are the nearest ] believe"
.Thev arc both dead, monsieur.
Dne died Of heart-disease in Ger
many, the other was stabbed to death
IN Rome"
.De.dy" exclaimed I. with . start
Tor this was news to me-
"Are you sure?
Certainly. monsieur"
s.Roth of them! This astouishes me
till more. l had not heard of this" !"
II know It."
.sIt seems to me you know every
;hiur.- said ], with . stare of wonder.
Monsieur St Medard smiled and con.
inued:
..You are now the heir presumptive,
monsieur"
III what you tell me is true. am"
exclaimed /. almost startled 1t the
houeht of being SO near to IN earldom
for the then lord was old and feeb.e
md might drop of Ut any minute.
DO YOU know who is next OF kin
,fter yourself, monsieur" inquired my
trange interrogator. .,
Il think have heard it is one VIII ,
lam Bycrly."
"Rieht DO you know him? II
..Sumething bysrcport"
..Personsliy:"
sNo.-
.Did report speak favorably Of him.?
II On sorry TO ssy Il did not Il