The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-02-07
THE NOTARY'S BRIDE.

Tt would be hard to enumerate all
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 insist
ed 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 francs which she knew
she had placed. in the drawer, her hus-
band had loaned them to Levignard to
relieve him of a temporary embarrass-
ment. Durrieux even whispered to her
that it was some scandal.
Nine. Durrieux stopped him by ex-
claiming: THAT'S enough. I forbid
YOU to associate with that fellow"
''You do not know him." answered
Durrieux mo doubt he is bit dis
sipated, but he has a heart of gold. He
is sowing his wild oats, and cannot
abandon him. His father intrusted him
to my care; if 1 do not counsel him,
he will become Incorporate in his hab-
it's. Fortunately, he is a little afraid
of me-"
To tell the truth, Durrieux, who had
suddenly become rich in the unbleached
cotton business, had but one desire in
life, and that was to go to Paris with
out his wife as often as possible and
squander his money. He found it con-
venient to cast upon the shoulders of
a third person the burden of his own
prof1igacy. Nine. DurrieuX 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, 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 manner, when the startling news
was received that Levignard was in
Robigny; that he was going to settle
there and take up the practice of no.
tary.
This announcement did not please
DurrieuX, for he would have to furnish
other excuses in the future to account
for missing the last train from Paris.
"Now, then" exclaimed Nine. Dur
rieuX, 1--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 casu-
ally observed: "It is not necessary to
speak to him of the past. 1t would
annoy him, and. besides, it might in
jure him in the community"
But Nine. DurrieuX had had plenty
of time to relate the stories confidential
ly to the pharmacists wife, to the col
lector, and to the grocer, who in their
turn had spread them in tho neighbor-
hood, so that the new notary came to
Robigny preceded by the most ques-
tionable reputation.
Nine. Durrieux had pictured to her.
self a Levignard with waXed mustache
and blond hair falling upon his shout
ders; such a fop as would wear a long
coat and sigh for becoming uniform.
Now Levignard appeared with long
beard, short black hair, dressed in a
severe frock coat and wearing eye
glasses. 1t was a great surprise to
Nine. DurrieuX; nevertheless, she
scanned him cautiously, for one never
knows-"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-
Guided that he must be very clever and
was concealing his game.
Everybody knows how good women
are, how anxious they are to save a
soul. 1t is temptation they cannot
resist, even if it has it's perils, and they
enter into it with their whole hearts.
Sometimes they neglect their hus-
bands. We do not accuse Nine. Dur
rieuX of this. To be sure, she nour-
ished more and more a secret resent
ment 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 bravely undertook the task of
pointing out to him the path of a sedate
life; but she never went beyond the
limits of conventional sermon.
She 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
hand of her niece. He had seen her
about, and besides had heard that she
would have dowry, and that would be
quite useful to a notary.
"Never!" said Nine. Durrieux.
'Never, so long as live! No, indeed!"
And the good woman dismissed him
with so much energy that a casual OBJ
server might have thought there was
some spite about it.
Born of French parents, bachelor,
honorably discharged from his regi-
ment. graduate of law, at last no
tary. Levignard was astonished at this
check. and confided in her husband.
Indeed! my wife dismissed your"
Eyes; can you tell me why?"
swell, you have such deuced repu-
tation-"
These words had no sooner escaped
Durrieux's lips than he would have
friyen the world to recall them.