Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-03-06

that l ha We declined the offer he made
me to enter his banking house and we
have almost quarrelcd. 1 have not
set foot in his house for over a month,
but I zeal of him occasionally"
Through whomy"
"Through your friend, young Cavail-
Ion. My uncle, they say, is more dis
trcssed by this affair than you are.
He is scarcely ever at the bank and
wanders about as II in a terrible
| dream"
"And Mime. Fauvel and"-Prosper
hesitated-"and Mile. MadeleineT"
"Oh," said Raoul lightly, my aunt
is az devout as ever. She has a mass
said for the benefit of the sinner. AS
to my pretty, icy cousin, she cannot
bring herself down to common mat
tors, because she is entirely absorbed
in preparing for the fancy ball to be
given day after tomorrow by NM. jan
didier. She has discovered, so one OF
her friends told me, a wonderful Dress
maker, a stranger who has suddenly
appeared from 10 one knows where,
who is making a costume of Catherine
de- Medici's maid Of honor, and 1t Is to
be n marvel"
Excessive suffering brings with It a
sort of insensibillty. Prosper had
reached that state of impassibility
from which he never expected to be
aroused when this last blow made him
cry out with pain:
"Madeleinc! oh, Madeleine!
nj IL ,,,,, DrotDrlin, v,ot tO u IN
heard him, arose.
Il 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. yo,; 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
revcrie by the red whiskercd man, who
came from his concealment.
$50 these are your friends"
EYES, said Prosper. with bitterness.
"You heard him offer me half Of his
%fortunc?'
NJ. verduret shrugged his shoulders
with an 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 that this pretty boy
would cheerfully give 10000 francs tC
put the ocean between you and him"
He, monsieur? Why 500"
"Who knows? Perhaps for the SAM
reason that he had not set foot for 6
month in his uncle's house."
"But that is the truth, monsieur.
an sure of it."
"Naturally.' said NJ. Verduret, will
:. a provoking smile. But" he contin
ued seriously, Eve have devoted
enough time to this fair youth. Now
be good enough to change your dress
. and we will go and call on NJ. Fauvel.'
This proposal seemed revolving t.
/. Prosper.
"Never.,' he exclaimed, with excite
+ ment. mo. never will l %voluntaril.
set eyes on that wrctch"!'
This resistance did not surprise NJ
Verdurct.
II can understand your feelings to
:. ward him. said he, "but at the sam
, time hope you will change your mind
For the same reason that l wished t
see NJ. de Layers do I wish to see M
Fauvel. 1t is necessary, you under
, stand. Are you SO very weak that yo'
+, cannot restrain yourself for five mir
utcs? ! shall introduce myself as on
!, of your relatives, and you need no
speak n word"
IF it is absolutely necessary" sal
Prosper, "if you wish
at is necessary. Come on. Hurr
:, and fix yourself up a little. 1t is gel
ting late. and am hungry. We wi
breakfast on our way there"
' Prosper had hardly passed into hi
!. bedroom when the bell n again. n
Verduret opened the door. 1t was th
. porter, who handed him a thick lctte
This letter. said he, was left TIL
!, morning for NJ, Bertomy. l was s
! hustercd when he came that ! forge
to hand it to him. 1t is n very cd
=, looking letter, is it not, monsieur|
II 1t was indeed a singular epistl,
n The address was not written, bl
- formed of printed letters, carefully CT
!, from a book and pasted on the enve
Ope.
"Oh, ho!' cried NJ. Verduret. "Whf
!. is this?' Then, turning toward IL
- porter, he said, "Wait till | return"
He went into the next room and clio
ed the door. There he found PrOspe
: who had heard the bell ring and WI
: anxious to know what was going on.
: Here is a letter for you" said \
, Verduret.
" Prosper at once tore open the el
= velOpe.
-, Some bank notes dropped out. q
counted them. There were ten.
Prosper's face turned purple.
"What does this mean?' he asked.
n eve will read the letter and FL
= out" replied NJ. Verduret.
The letter. like the address, was COZ
10 posed Of printed words cut out al
>, pasted on the paper.
1t was short, but explicit:
-, My Dear Prosper-A friend who knows the h'
II ror Of your situation sends this succor. There
n one heart. be assured, that shares your ~suferint
ia Go away. Leave France. You are young. The
ture is before you. Co. and may this money ns
YOU.
o. AS NJ. Verduret read the note Pro
u per's rage increased, He was angl
and perplexeh, for he could not e.