The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-03-13

something. Besides-besides, you can
not decently present yourself at the
house after your dismissal. But trust
yourself to your Old friend; ] viii ar
range the matter"
'Truly?"
81 tell you l will see to it, I see a
way out, surely; but on condition that
You will not step inside my house until
! tell you. Do you promise me?"
"Oh, well, if that will help it along"
1T is absolutely necessary. You
promise Inc that you viii not show your
face?"
81 swear it,"
They parted mutually satisfied. Lev
ignard was eOmforted 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 prom
ised, and, to tell the truth, he could
think of nothing that would prove sat
isfactory. But he was too kind-heart-
ed not to feel remoTse with respect to
his comrade, and 10 appease it he felt
that he must fulfill his promise.
When Nine. DurTieux returned lit
tie late from a walk, there seemed to
be something Unusual in the home at
mosphere; her husband, with his
cheeks swelled out by something that
seemed to be suffocating him, turned
and twisted through the salon with a
disconsolate look; as for her niece
she was assiduously playing the piano,
making discords, which showed that
this occupation was only a pretense.
"Well-what's the matterT' said
Nine. DurrieuX.
Her husband raised his hands TO
heaven, loOsened his crayat as though
he could scarcely breathe, and, gasp
ing, said; ASK your niece"
Her niece, with her hands on her
head, leaned her elbows on the piano,
producing about as much harmony as
a moment before, her plump and grace
full shoulders neutrality-suspicious. with
sobs, perhaps with suppressed laugh
ter; it was hard to tell
WELL" said Durrieux, who had at
last succeeded i'll controlling himself,
''your niece went out during your alb
sence, and where do you think found
her?"
"How should / know? You make
me uneasy; has anything happened to
herr"
81 found her at her lovers office"
Nine. DurrieuN rushed to her niece,
seized her by the arms, and turned her
about, exposing q roguish face, young
and lovely, but enigmatical. For q
quarter of an hour it was impossible
to tell just what this pretty face ex-
pressed - confusion, remorse, or the
torment a smothered laugh inficts
upon one who tries to control it.
do you mean to tell me you have
lover?" said Nine DuFrieux.
"She went to his office" interrupted
her uncle.
you went to his office!"
"She even resorted to his house"
again answered her uncle.
You will be good enough to"
But the child had had time to catch
up her handkerchief with q deft hand
and cover her face under pretext of
weeping; thenceforth it was vain to
try to question her.
You little rascal" Durrieux took
advantage of this to exclaim. "She
does not wish to answer, because she
has nothing to say; she does not wish
to tell the name of her lover, because
we do not approve of him. Yes, her
lover is the very one have forbidden
her. It is lover whom | decline to
sanction, and they are both aware of
it. It is a lover to whom both you and
I have closed our doors, and with good
reason; it is the notary"
He might just as we'll have called him
executiouer; he could not have alluded
TO the suitor's profession in a more dis
paraging manner.
"a child I looked upon as my own
daughter" he began again in a mild
tone, 81 discover at the notary's IN
clined to revolt against her aunt's au-
thority as well as my Owl, What will
become of US? She cannot stay with
US after such an insult. 1t will be
necessary for her to leave the country
| But the scandal of her misconduct will
reflect upon US"
did anyone see her?" said Nine
| Derrieux, frightened at the gossip
that might ensue.
"She may have been seen, or she may
not; but. my dear, in our little com
munity, everybody knows such things
as that. How unfortunate that this
| scoundrel, Levignard, should have
such a cursed reputation. I should say
that they ought TO marry at once, with
out delay. He is of a good family, anC
later will inherit some property; be
sides, he already has an established po
sitiOn which may become brilliant
But to give him our niece would refec
upon US. and surely I do not wish tina
no, it would be better to exile the I'm
fortunate young girl"
what are you dreaming Of? Ar,
you crazy? A marriage would be pref
cradle to all this scandal, Go ant
bring that seoundrel of notary ant