The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-11-05
"Afadeleine, oh, Madeleinew
Nj. dc Lngors, pretending not to hay,

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heard him, arose.
al must leave you now, my dear
Prosper" he said. Saturday I will
see these ladies at the ball and will
bring YOU news OF them. Keep up
your courage and remember that, what
ever happens, you can count on me-"
RaOul shook Prosper's hand and left
the house. Prosper remained immov-
able, overcome by disappointment.
He was aroused from his gloomy
rcvcrie by the red whiskered man, who
came from his concealment.
$50 these arc your friends"
"Yes," said Prosper, with bitterness.
you heard him offer me half OF his
fortune?"
NJ. Yerduret shrugged his shoulders
with IN air of compassion.
THAT was very stingy on his part"
he said. "Why did he not offer the
whole? Offers cost nothing. But /
have no doubt hat this pretty boy
would chccrfully give 10000 francs to
put the ocean between you and him."
"He, monsieur? Why so?"
"NNho knows? Perhaps for the same
reason that he had not set foot for a
month In his uncle's house."
But that Is the truth, monsieur. I
am sure of it,"
Naturally" said NJ. Ncrdurct, with
Il provoking smile. "But," he contin-
ucd seriously, Eve have devoted
enough time to this fair youth. Now
be good enough to change your dress,
and wo Will go and call OH III. F'auvel."
UNhfc r,.ntpcnl cnn,,,nI rnuDttt,r 10
Prosper.
"Neverp he exclaimed, with excite
ment. "No, never will I voluntarily
set eyes on that wretch!"
This resistance did not surprise M.
Verduret.
az can understand your feelings to-
ward him." said he, "but at the same
time l hope you will change your mind.
For the same reason that I wished to
see M. de Layers do 1 wish to see M.
Fnuvel. 1t Is necessary, you under
stand. Are you 80 very weak that you
cannot restrain yourself for five min
utes2 L shall introduce myself as one
Of your relatives, and you need not
speak n word"
"If it is absolutely necessary" said
ITOSpeT, IL you WISH
at Is necessary. Come on. Hurry
and fix yourself up n little. 1t Is get
ting late, and 1 am hungry. We will
breakfast on cur way there"
Prosper had hardly passed into his
bedroom when the bell rang again. NJ.
Yerdurct opened the door. 1t was the
porter, who handed him q thick letter.
"This letter." said he, twas left this
morning for M. Bertomy. / was SO
flustcred when he came that I forgot
to hand 1t to him. 1t is q very odd
looking letter, Is 1t not, monsieur?"
1t was indeed n singular epistle.
formed of printed letters, carefully cut
from a book and pasted on the enyel-
ope.
ooh, ho!" cried NJ. Verduret. "What
is thisT' Then, turning toward the
porter, he said, "Wait till 1 return"
He went into the next room and clos
ed the door. There he found Prosper,
who had heard the bell ring md was
anxious to know what was going on.
Here is q letter for you," said M.
Vcrduret.
Prosper at once tore open the en-
velope.
Some bank notes dropped out. He
counted them. There were ten.
Prosper's face turned purple.
"What does this mean" he asked.
eve will read the letter and find
out" replied Nj. Verduret.
The letter, like the address, was COM
posed of printed words cut out and
pasted OH the paper.
1t was short, but explicit:
My Dear Prospcr-A friend who knows the hor-
ror Of your situation sends this succor. There is
one heart, be assured, that shares your suferings.
Go away. Leave France. You are young. The iu.
ture Is before you. Go, and may this money help
you.
AS M. Verdurct read the note Pros
per's rage increased. He was angry
and perpleNcd, for he could not ex-
plain the rapidly succeeding events
which were SO calculated to mysttfy
his already confused brain.
Everybody wishes me to go away!'
he cried. "Then there must be q con-
spiracy against me-"
M. Yerduret smiled with satisfaction.
eat last you begin to open your eyes.
You begin to understand. Yes, there
are people who hate you because Of
the evil they have done you. There are
people to whom your presence In Paris
is a perpetual menace and who will
not feel safe till they are rid Of YOU"
"But who are these people, mon
sieur? Tell me who presumes to send
this money!"
"If L knew, my dear Prosper" said
Yerduret sadly, my task would be at
nm end, for then I would know who
committed this robbery Of which you
are accused. But I have finally pro-
cured evidence which will sooner or
later become convincing proof. I have
heretofore only made deductions more
or less probable. J. now possess knowl-
edge which proves that 1 was mistak.
en-. I walked In darkness; now 1 have
a light to guide me. Now we must
take advantage of this evidence, gain
ed by the imprudenco of our enemies.
We will begin with the porter"
He opened the door and called out:
81 say, my good man, please come
hereW
The porter entered, looking very
much surprised at the authority exer-
cised over his ledger by this stranger.
"NYho gave you this letter." said M.
.Verduret.
"a messenger, who said he was paid
for bringing It,"
"Do you know himT
81 know him WELL"