The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-11-05
q = q = 2 = = = q q & = + = q q q 8 4 i + + #s@s

81 was sure you would. Let us de-
eide upon the course you shall pursue.
And remember that the proceeds OF
the sale will be needed. Have you any
ready money? No, but you must have
some. Knowing that you would need
1t at once, 1 brought here a furniture
for everything except the pictures"
The cashier could not refrain from
Struggling his shoulders, which M. Yer
durct observed.
YES" said he, at Is hard, I will adj
nit, but 1t Is necessary. Listen. You
are the invalid, and I am the doctor
charged to cure you. If / cut to the
quick, you will have to endure 1T. 1t
is the only way to save you"
"Cut away, then, monsieur" answer
ed Prosper, submitting.
"Well, we will hurry, for time pass
es. You have n friend, M. de Lagors2"
"Raoul? Yes, monsieur, an intimate
friend"
"Now tell me, who is this fellow"
The term "fellow" seemed to wound
Prosper.
IN. de Layers, monsieur" he said,
piqued, us M. Fauvel's nephew. He Is
a rich young man. handsome, intelli-
gent, cultured and the best friend I
have"
"Hum!" said M. Yerduret. "T shall
be delighted to make the acquaintance
OF one adorned by 80 many good quail
ties 1 must let you know that I wrote
him n note In your name asking him
to como here, and he sent word that
he would be here directly"
"Whatl' cried the astonished Pros
per. "Do you suppose
ooh, 1 suppose nothing. Only I must
sec this young man. Also 1 have ar
ranged and will submit to you a little
plan OF conversational
A ring at the bell interrupted M. Yer
duret.
'"The dickens! Adieu to my plant
Here he is! Where can 1 hide so as
to hear and see?"
"There in my bedroom. Leave the
door open and the curtain down"
A second ring was heard.
~ must 60" said Prosper.
Nov, remember, Prosper" said NJ.
Verduret in n warning tone, mot one
word to this man about your plans or
about me. Pretend to be discouraged,
helpless, hesitating."
And he disappeared behind the cur
tain as Prosper ran to open the door.
Prosper's portrait OF M. dc Layers
had not been exaggerated. So hand
some n face and manly q figure could
belong only to n noble character. AL
though Raoul said that he was twenty
four he appeared to be not more than
twenty. He had n superb figure, we'll
knit and supple; n beautiful white
brow, shaded by soft chestnut curly
hair, and soft blue eyes which beamed
with frankness.
His first impulse was to throw him
self into Prosper's arms. "My poor,
dear friend! he said, taking Prosper's
hands. "A1y poor Prosperp
But beneath these affectionate DEM
onstrations there was a certain con-
s%traint, which, If 1t escaped the CASH
Ter, was noticed by NJ. Verduret.
"Your letter, my dear Prosper" said
Raoul after being seated, "made me
Ill, 1 was SO frightened by 1t. 1 asked
myself If you could have lost your
mind. Then I left everything to come
to you"
Prosper did not seem to hear him.
He was preoccupied about the letter
he had not written. What were its
contents? Who was this man whose
assistance he had accepted?
"You must not feel discouraged"
continued M. de Layers. AT your age
you may commence life anew. Your
fpiat,Ic ot.n cftl 1apk fn un,, Dnlu S,nn,
me. I am rich. Half of my fortune is
at your disposal"
This generous offer, made at q mo-
mcnt like this with such frank sim
plicity, deeply touched Prosper.
"Thanks, Raoul," he said, with emo
ton; thank you! But unfortunately all
the money In the world would be Of
no use now"
"Why so? What are you going to
do? Do you propose to remain in
Parish"
III know not, Raoul. I have made no
plans yet. My mind is confused"
II will tell you what to do" replied
Raoul quickly. "You must start afresh.
Until this mysterious robbery is x
planned it will never do for you to re-
main In Paris"
"And if 1t is never explainedW
"Only the more reason for your re-
naming in oblivion. I have been talk
ing about you to Clameran. You are
unjust to him, for he is your friend.
IF 1 were in Prospcr's place. he said,
Il would turn everything into money
and embark for America. There I
would make q fortune and return to
crush with my millions those who
have suspected me-"
This advice offended P%rosper's pride,
but he said nothing. He was thinking
Of what the stranger had said to him.
"Well?' said Raoul.
~ will think 1t over. I will sec. I
would like to know what M. Fauvel
says"
"My uncle? / suppose you know
that 1 have declined the offer he made
me to enter his banking house and we
have almost quarreled. I have not
set foot in his house for over a month,
but 1 hear of him occasionally"
"ThrOugh whOm?"
"rhrough your friend, young Cavail-
Ion. My uncle, they say Is more dis
tressed by this affair than you are.
He is scarcely ever mt the bank and
wanders about as if in a terrible
dream"
"And Nine. Fauvel and'-Prosper
hesitated-"and Mile. Madeleino"
ooh cntH nnnrI ltul,fIxy ftY,u aunt