Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-03-06
THE NOTARY'S BRIDE.

E. q . s. " I II ~ . n
Il would be hard to e1lumerate all
1he services rendered Dulrc,lx by his
friend Levignard. 1t may be that Dur
reux 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
10 return home the same evening, but
oitener it was the next day. He insist
I'd 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
ito find the 200 francs which she knew
She had placed in the drawer, her hus-
,and had loaned them to Levignard TO
relieve him of a temporary embarrass-
hnent. Durrieux even whispered to her
That it was some scandal.
Nine. Durrieux stopped him by ex
blaming: ''That's enough. I forbid
you to associate with that fellow
..You do not know him." answered
sipated, but he has a heart of gold. He
S sowing his wild oats, and cannot
lbandon him. His father intrusted him
10 my care; if do not counsel him,
r. ,11 ~u-vu111c 1r1fnve1upefa te i'm his hab-
It's. Fortunately, he is a little afraid
of me-
TO tell the truth, Durrieux, who had
1xr ,,ioh in ha II p1,Cnnohn1
cotton business, had but one desire in
hife, and that was to go to Paris with
but his wife as often as possible and
souander his money. He found it con-
vcnicnt to cast upon the shoulders of
d third person the burden of his own
prohigacy. Nine. Durrienx swallowed
(these tales without suspicion. and the
sly fellow spent the day after his revel
In perfect peace, nursed by his wife,
who was most estimable creature,
and by her niece, a bright young girl
E,vhom one could always interest by
her that she would be married
some day.
For two or three years Durrieux
unade use of his friend Levignard in
Hthis manner, when the startling news
was received that Levjgnard was in
Robigny; that he was going to settle
khere aud take up the practice OF no.
tary.
This announcement did not please
Durrieux, for he would have to furnish
BOTHER excuses in the future to account
for missing the last train from Paris.
"Now, then," exclaimed Nine. Dur
8rieux, ''we shall see great doings; our
&young ladies will have to look out for
themselves Point this rascal out to
u mc: am anxious to see him.
A Her husband was alarmed. but casu-
&ally observed: cit is not necessary to
Espeak to him of the past. 1t would
Rannoy him, and. besides, it might in
Eiure him in the community"
! But Nine Durrieux had had plenty
Hof time to relate the stories confidential
Nv to the pharmacists wife, to the col
Hector. and to the grocer, who III their
&turn had spread them in the ncighbor-
&hood, SO that the new notary came to
Robigny preceded by the most ques-
&tionable reputation.
n Nine. Durrieux had pictured to her
8self a Ievignard with waNed mustache
End blond hair falling upon his shout
&ders; such fop as would wear long
Ecoat and sigh for a becoming uniform.
NOW Levignard appeared with long
beard, short black hair, dressed in
eseverc frock coat and wearing eye
Hglasses. It was a great surprise to
Nine. Durrieux; nevertheless, she
Escanned him cautiously, for one never
lznows-"still water runs deep" She
had opportunity to observe him closely.
but she saw nothing to confirm the evil
reports. In thinking it over, she con-
clutlcd that he must be very clever and
was concealing his game.
Everybody knows how good women
are. how anxious they are to save 4
soul 1t is temptation they cannot
resist, even if it has its perils. and they
enter into it with their whole hearts.
Sometimes they neglect their hus-
hands. We do not accuse Mime. Dur
,ieux of this. To be sure, she nour-
ished more and more a secret resent
1nent against her husband because he
had not resisted the evil advice of his
dissolute friend. On the other hand.
she regarded the new notary with an
indulgence more and more marked.
and she bravcly undertook the task OF
pointing out to him the path Of sedate
life: but she never went beyond the
limits of a conventional sermon.
She lectured Levignard without show
ing her usual sympathetic tenderness,
and vet he was so far encouraged by
her gentleness that he resolved to put
amend to the lectures by asking for the
hand of her niece. He had seen her
about, and besides had heard that she
would have q dowry, and that would be
quite useful to a notary.
"Nevcr!" said Nine. Durrieux.
Never. SO long as live! No, indeed!"
And the good woman dismissed hin,
with SO much energy that q casual OBJ
server might have thought there was
some spite about it.
Born Of French parents. a bachelor,
honorably discharged from his regi-
- 1o, Toe