The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-04-01
THE DEBTOR


but they said to each other:
AT least we know that the sea cannot
take him as it did the others. We know
that he lives, and in spite of the distance
our hearts will be together
And with, that they were content.
Simple fisher people, they did not know
that the great city of Paris has it's tides
its tempests and its storms, Us we'll as
the sea.
Arrived at the proper age, the young
man completed his military service, then
spent two months with his parents and
returned to his employment. He was
promoted to the position of assistant
cashier
This was, unfortunate, for the money
that he handled was a constant tempta-
ton to him. Not that he thought of
stealing, but he thought if he could Dor
row, speculate and then return the
While at home he had fallen in love
with girl whom he desired to marry,
and the process of saving money was
too slow a one for his impetuous spirit.
He never considered the possibility of
losing in his speculation. He expected
to make fortune Mt one stroke.
Losing one day, gaining the next, there
came time finally when his accounts
showed a deficit of $4,000. He was hor-
Gilbert PerrOn had no money with which
to do it. For the first time he realized
what he had done, and that if his guilt
was discovered he was henceforth a dis
hOnOred man, and the woman he loved
lost to him forever.
1t was under this stress that he DELHI
erately planned criminal action.
For some time Gilbert had been friends
with certain Savinier Dorval, a young
man of his own age, whose parents were
very rich. The intimacy grew, and final
in the home Of his friend. He resolved to
profit by their hospitality.
One evening when the family were in
the drawing room after dinner he went
quietly upstairs to the Office of M. Dor
val. In a corner of the room stood a
secretary which Savinier's father had
often opened in his presence, and by some
oversight the key was in the lock. Every
thing seemed conspiring to make his
" and opened the desk At that moment
the door behind him opened. He turned
and found himself face to face with Saw
nier Dorval. =. s:, s: s.... } 5=
Your he cried. ''What are you doing
here?'
Gilbert did not reply. With lowered
head he stood before his accuser. The
open secretary needed no explanation:
"MOnsieur Gilbert Perron," said Dor
val slowly, you are thief!''
The young man raised his head. "No,'
said he, II am not thief, for 1 have
stolen nothing. If You had not come l
should have done SO. Now l am in your
power and you can arrest me. 1t will
kill my mother and father and break the
heart of the truest woman that ever
lived"
other to pity, He closed the door and
returning asked: "Why did you wish to
rob my fathery''
Do you wish to hear the whole story
Very we'll, will tell it to you"
And Gilbert made his confession.
IF could have secured f.5OOO," he
concluded. II would have been saved,
and no one would have known
''And what will you do now?''
"a bullet will end the matter simply"
He spoke in such a tone of resolution
After long silence he said:
''Perron, will you make me a promise p
"What is it?''
''That you will leave Paris and return
to your parents and the woman who
loves you"
Justice would follow me there"
''No, justice will not follow you. To-
morrow you shall put back the f. 5000"
and Dorval turned to the secretary, and,
taking bundle of notes. handed them to
Gilbert. s'They are here" he said.
Gilbert remained for q moment with
out voice to speak.
Il cannot thank you," he said, ''for it is
my life you are giving me. Some day l
hope to be able to repay YOU
4 ask nothing in return" interrupted
Derval: "Ands now go. We will never
meet again."
One lovely day in June, eight years
afterward, Savinier Dorval and his beau
tiful young wife, stopping in the pretty
town of Treport for few days, decided
sion boats so numerous in the place.
Nine. Dorval was afraid of the sea, and
though the water was calm she trembled
little as she took her place beside the
low railing. It was Sunday, and the
deck was crowded with gay and noisy
pleasure seekers. For the first hour the
trip was delightful, but on the return a
cloud sprung up, and in a few moments
the wind had dashed the waves into a
fury.
A small panic took place on board the
boat: Nine. Dorval was terrified, and
her husband tried in vain to reassure
her., AS they were nearing the shore a
sudden peal of thunder and flash of light
ming frightened the poor woman so that
she completely lost her head. She jumped
to her feet, and, owing to the motion of
the boat, lost her balance and fell over
board. ~
Before her husband could realize what
had happened a man from the crowd
rushed to the edge and dived into the
water. he secured the woman, and,
fastening the lowered rope about her
himself, swan to the shore, which was
very near, while she was drawn safely up
to the deck. 80. -.
:. NJ. Dorval, pale with emotion, inquired
of the captain the name of the man who
had rescued his wife. - It'll. r.
who does not know him." replied the
captain. He lives here, and as to the
lives he has saved, there is no counting
them" %;SE ~ Il. - T. -. Xxi ~ II 81. -
'What is his name, and where, does he
live?'' S,s+ eli ,.,.-, z.: = -, ...
You have only to ask for Gilbert
Perr0n. Any one will show you where
he lives H. #s5.@. 3 2 ss53
One hour later NJ. DouvaI, after having
made his wife comfortable at their hotel,
presented himself at the door of Gilbert
Perron's house. " ..5
. A pretty young woman with a child in
her arms opened the door. u. .ss n. /
MAY speak with NJ. Perron p 5
He is not here, but If monsieur, will
come in he will be back soon.''' 7& q.
The house was simply but tastefully
furnished. :,s vi ID.
Are you Gilbert Perron' wife?' asked
Dorval. 3 81. ss8:
Yes, monsieur" said the woman slnil-
ing. . .S= z$s=$
Paris = -
@ Yes, when he was very young. But
he came back, and we were married
here He is notsrich, but we are very
happy. $
At this monaent the door opened aud
Perron entered. he men recognized