The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1895-11-22
The Notary Bride.

the services rendered DurrieuX by his
friend Levignard. 1t may be that Dur
rieux realized them, but Levignard never
once suspected, for the reason that when
Durrieux used his friend he neglected to
tell him of it.
Durrieux lived at Robigny with his
wife and her niece. When he went to
Paris he stoutly declared his intention
to return home the same evening, but
| oftener it was the next day. He in
sisted that Levignard had made him lose
the last train; he did not hesitate to add
that his companion did it out of malice
If Nine. Durrieux was unable to find
the 200 france which she knew she had
placed in the drawer, her husband
had loaned them to Levignartl to re-
lleve him of temporary embarrassment.
Durrieux even whispered to her that it
was some scandal.
claiming: 'That's enough. 1 forbid
you to associate with that fellow"
You do not know HIM" answered
Durrieux. 'No doubt he is bit dissi-
pated. but he has heart of gold, He
is sowing his wild oats and cannot
abandon him. His father entrusted him
will become incorporate in bis habits.
Fortunately. he is little afraid of me-"
TO tell the truth Derrieux, who had
suddenly become rich in the unbleac hed
cotton business. had but one desire in
life, and that was to go to Paris without
his wife as often as possible and squan-
der his money. He found it convenient
to cast upon the shoulders of third per-
Nine. -Durrieux swallowed these tales
spent the day after his revel in tprfect
peace, nursed by his wife. who was a
most estimable creature, and by her
niece, bright young girl whom one
could always interest by telling her that
she would be married some day.
For two or three years Durrieux made
use of his friend Levignard in this man
ner. when the startling news was re-
celved that Levi gnard was in Robigny:
that he was going to settle there and
taxi up the practice Of notary.
Ibis announcement did not please Dur
rienx. for he would have to furnish
other excuses in the future to account
for missing: the last train from Paris.
rieux, we shall see great doings; our
young ladies will have to look out for
themselves. Point this rascal out to me:
l am anxious to see him.
Her husband was alarmed, but casual
~ observed: ut is not necessary to
speak to him of the past. 1t would an
noy him, and, besides. it might injure
HIM IN the community
But Mime. Durrieux had had plenty of
time to relate the stories confidentially
to the pharmacists wife, to the collector
and to the grocer, who in their turn had
spread them in the neighborhood, 50 that
the new notary came to Robigny pre-
ceded by the most question: BILE reDuta-
ton.
Nine. Durrieux had pictured to herself
a, Levignard with walked mustache and
blond hair falling upon his shoulders:
such Top as would wear long coat
and sigh for becoming uniform. Now
I4evignard appeared with long beard,
short black hair. dresses in severe
frock coat and wearing eyeglasses. It
was great surprise to Nine. Durrieux;
for one never knows-''still waters run
deep, She had opportunity to observe
firm the evil reports. In thinking It over
she. concluded that he must. be very
clever and was concealing his game.
Every body knows how good women
are. how anxious they are to save a soul
1t is temptation they cannot resist.
even II 1t has it's perils, and they enter
into it with their whole hearts. Solne
times they neglect their husbands, We
do not accuse Nine Durriet1x of this
10 be sure. she hourished more and
more a secret resentment against her
husband because he had not resisted the
evil advise of his dissolute friend. On
the other hand she regarded the new no.
tary with an~indulgence more and more
Marked and she bravely undertook the
TASK or pointing out to him the path Of
a sedate life! but she never went beyond
the limits of conventional sermon.
ShS lectured Levignard without show
ing her usual sympathetic tenderness,
and yet he was so far encouraged by her
gentleness that he resolved to put an
end to the lectures by asking for the
nand OF her niece. He had seen her
ABOUT and besides had heard that she
would have a dowry, and that would
DC quite useful to a notary.
90 Never Never, said Mime. DUR ieux "Never
80 70 'ong as | live! No, indeed" And
the good woman dismissed him with IN
much energy that casual Observer
might have thought there was some
Born of French parents. q bachelor
honorably discharged from his regiment
q graduate of law, at last notary.
Leylgnard was astonished at this check.
and confided in the husband.
Indeed! My wife dismissed you?''
1es; can you tell me why?'
.Well. You have such tleuced repu-
tatiOn -" W."
These words had no sooner escaped
Durrleux's lips than he would ha We civ
en- the world to recall them
deuced reputationw exclaimed
nevlgnard. ''How the devil could | ret
t.o, NY habits are regular. I work
perate, -! eat little and am not conscious
that l have a single vice. A deuced
reputation then that is the reason your
Wlfe has been moralizing all this time
l insist upon seeing her and explain
'Don't:" cried Durrieux; "heavens,
don't do that!'
What harm would it do?"
Il don't know just what" he an
sWcred: frightened at the abyss opening
before him: but there is certainly come
thing. Besides-besides, you carnot de-
Gently present yourself at the house after
your dismissal. But trust yourself to
you, old friend; will arrange the mat
''Truly?'
II tell you will see to it. see a
way out, surely: but on condition that
you do not step inside my house until
tell you. Do you promise me?'
"Oh, we'll. if that will help it along -
ut is absolutely necessary. You
promise me that you will not show your
facey'
81 swear it."
They parted mutually satisfied. Lee
vignard was comforted by Durrieux's
promise; the latter was treasured, for he
knew he could postpone. at least for
awhile, the dangerous explanation to his
wife and Levignard. He must still find
the solution which he had promised and,
to tell the truth, he could think Of moth
ing that would prove satisfactory. But
he was too kind-hearted not to feel re-
morse with respect to his contrade. and
to appeasc it he felt that he must fulfill
his promise.
+ - # IT,
When Nine. Durric,lx returned little
late from a walk there seemed to be
something unusual i'll the home atmos-,
uharp. har huaha nd with his tnhnnks