The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-25
His FIRST CASE
and LAST.
The Story Of @ Vouns @ar-
rister, Written For
This Paper.
BY SYDNEY GRUNDY.
CHAPTER III.

When the servant ope ned the door ol
the drawing-room to him Victor stooc
for a moment on the threshold, unde.
cided, racked with terrible anguish. His
legs seemed to give way under him, ant
he felt as if he would drop senseless
Near the window sat Count de
Chauvannes. He raised his head anG
looked at Victor with listless air.
Tell mademoiselle that Monsieur
D'Aubry is here" said he, beckoning tc
the servant. Victor held up his hand
for the servant to stop. There Is nc
necessity to disturb mademoiselle, he
said. Il must even ask you not to tel
her that am here. I wish to speak tc
you alone, monster"
The Count looked at the young mar
In surprise, but Victor pretended not tc
notice it. Monsieur" he began, the
matter that brings me here to-day ls
very serious. I have resolved to apply
for a new trial for man who was con-
victed twenty years ago, and who main
tains that he is innocent. You know the
man-you gave him character at the
trial"
What was tho individuals name?'
asked the Count, listlessly examining
his finger tips.
Michel Gouillard!"
Victor had sat down with his back tc
the light, so as to let the last rays OF
the sinking sun fall upon the Counts
face. He looked at him intently es he
pronounced the mans name.
The Count did not bulge, not a mus
Gle OF his face moved. "Oh, yes, he
said, Il remember. 1t is a very old
story indeed. my dear D'Aubry, and
assuredly the poor devil was guilty"
Then you really do believe in the
mans guilt?"
why, he admitted it himself, urged
the Count. And come to think, it was
your father who wrung the confession
from him. I recommend you to let that
sad matter rest. There is no chance OF
reversing the verdict.
Il do not think 30, replied Victor, ir
q grave tone OF voice. "Gouillard in.
Bists that he has proof Of his innocence.
But am not particularly anxious te
take up the affair, and if you really
think there is no chance Of favorable
issue will tell the man to go and see
one Of my colleagues
The Count fixed his cold an d piercing
glance on Victor's mind as if trying to
read his inmost thoughts. That, at any
rate, was the young barrister's inter,
probation Of the swift, hurried glance.
Look here" said De Chauvannes al
last, send Gouillard to me. I will
question him and turn him inside out,
and after that I am sure he will not
dare to maintain his innocence. Be.
sides, I happen to know certain detaile
of the affair which," The Count
stopped short and relapsed into silence.
And I, too, Monsieur, began Victor,
happen to know certain details which
make Gouillard's innocence as plain as
daylight to me. It was said that he
killed Viscount de Varville because the
latter was the lover Of his wife. know
that is false. The woman whom Wis.
count de Varville was in love with was
not Huguette Gouillard.
The Count started from his chair as II
moved by a violent galvanic shock.
And what OF that1" he burst out.
What Of that, and what more do you
know2 Speak out! Who was the mis-.
tress Of the Viscount de Varville?"
Victor hesitated for moment, and
then rising and meeting the Count
terrible look without flinching, he said
calmly, 1T was the Countess De Chau.
vannes, Monsieur" Count De Chau-
vannes received the blow without
drawing a muscle, but deep pallol
overspread his face.
Il will say all that I came to say,
Monsieur" continued Victor, solemnly,
Il have in my possession letter from
the Countess to Monsieur de Varville.
This letter has been the flash Of light
ming whereby l read the innocence OF
that unfortunate wretch, Gouillard.
the probable author Of the Viscount's
murder. OF Huguette Gouillard's death
by poison, and the evidence pointed
clearly to one and the same man, which
man is no one else but you, Monsieur
de Chauvannes.
"Oh, indeed! You came to that con-
elusion, Monsieur" said Chauvannes in
q voice filled with anger, ready to burst
like thunderclap.
do you agree with me now that /
had better give up this case and confide
the documents to another barriSter?"
asked Victor.
The Counts face turned somewhat
more livid still. Suddenly facing
D'Aubry he blurted out:
We'll, suppo:e it were 50, Monsieur
Suppose the Viscount de Varville in.
flicted the most cruel injury upon me
that one man can inflict upon another,
who would dare blame me for my re-
venge2"
But in order to get that revenge you
have had poor woman assass. nated,
an innocent man thrown into prison"
Count de Chauvannes shuddered and
turned away his head, but in moment
he had mastered his feelings.
Il ask you once more, said he in a
curt and Indifferent tone, Ito send
Gouillard to me. will settle the mis-
chief with him. He wants money; he
shall have it, AS to my wife, she was
untaithful to me and I punished her
lover. But you understand we'll enough,
Monsieur D'Aubry, that at the very
moment! you ore. about to marry my
daughter, 1t IS your duty to destroy
every trace Of that sad story. Give me
that letter."
You evidently misunderstood me,
Monsieur, said Victor. Michel Gouil'
lard does not ask money. He wants
his name cleared from disbonor, the
ignomy Of the convict prison wiped from
his brow! I intend to help him; 1 will
not be your accomplice. II necessary,
will be your accuser. True, I love youl
daughter, so much so that would pre-
fer death to giving her up. But there
is voice that speaks louder than even
my love. 1t is the voice Of conscience
Monsieur to an extent 7 share the re-
sponsibility OF this terrible crime with
you, for my father. smitten with brain
disorder, In his senseless zeal tortured
this poor wretch into confession OF a
crime he never committed. Now you
will understand that l have q duty to