The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-02-13

| ing before him; '.but there 10 csetsinly
something. Besides-besides, you can'
not decently present yourself at the
house after your dismissal. But trust!
yourself tO your old friend; ! will AZ
range the matter"
'Truly?" .''
II tell you I will see to It. I gee 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
lit is absolutely necessary. You
promise me that you will not show your
face"
II swear it."
They parted mutually satisfied. Lev
ignard was comforted by Durrieux' q
promise; the latter was reassured, 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 re1norse with respect to
his comrale, and to appease it he felt
that$hc must fulfill his promise.
When Mime. Durrieux returned a lit
Ito late from walk, there seemed to
he something unusual in the home at
mosphere; her husband, with his
cheeks swelled out by something that
%r, l>D hi t,,r ,orl
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 pretense.
''Well-what's the matter?' said
Nine. Durrieux.
Her husband raised his hands to
heaven, loosened his cravat as though
he could scarcely breathe, and, gasp
ing, said: "Ask your niece" 49,
Her niece, with her hands on her
head. leaned her elbows on the piano.
producing about rs 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.
'Wel]," said Durrieux, who had at
last succeeded il, controlling himself.
"your niece went out during your alb
sence, and where do you think found
her."
''How should l know? You make
me uneasy; has anything happened to
her?''
II found her at her lovers Office"
Nine. Durrieux rushed to her niece.
seized her by the arms, and turned her
about, exposing a roguish face, young
and lovely. but enigmatica1. For a
quarter of an hour it was impossible
to tell just what this pretty face ex-
pressed confusion, remorse, or the
torment smothered laugh inf1icts
upon one who tries to control it.
do you mean to tell me you have
lover?" said Nine. Durrieux.
"She went to his Office" interrupted
her uncle.
*'You went to his office!"
"She even resorted to his house,"
again answered her uncle. 49,;
"You will be good enough to-
But the child had had time to, catch
up her handkerchief with 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 q lover whom I decline to
sanction, and they are both aware of
it. 1t 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
cxccutiouer; he could not have alluded
TO the suitor's profession in more dis
paraging manner.
"a child I looked upon as my own
daughter" he began again in mild
tone. Fl discover at the notary's in
clincd to revolt against her aunt's au-
thority as we'll as my own. What Will
become OF us one CdUuOO SCdy "AUN
us after such an insult. It will be
necessary for her to leave the country.
But the scandal Of her misconduct will
reflect upon u.s." 3" -
"Did anyone see her?" said Mime.
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.sho,ild say
that they ought to marry at once, with
out delay. He is of good family. and
later will inherit some property; be-
sides, he already has IN established po-
sition which may become brilliant.
But to give him our niece would reflect
upon us. and surely do not wish that
no, it would be better to exile the I'M
fortunate young girl
"What are you dreaming of? Are
you crazy?A marriage would be pref
cradle to all this scandal. Go and
bring that scoundrel of a notary and
let's make an end of all this" =.
II will not"
~>o;okO