The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-21
Pierre Bienvenue.

Pierre Bienvenue."
You'll never git me out Of the bog al
that gait" remarked Mr.. Sanders. GIVE
1t to me in plain Georgy talk"
The shoemaker paused again, scratched
his head with the point of his ewi. and
reflected. Finally he made reply, but
whether he answered Peter Velcoom
or "Vanooom' makes little difference.
What he tried to say was Peter WEB
come" but Mr. Sanders didn't understand
1t that way; and when he issued form
from the shop he carried in his mind the
name-Valtcombe-by which the shoemak-
er and his descendants were 10 be known
in that region henceforth.
Now the most interesting part Of this
recital, so far as Zepherine was con-
cerned was the fact that the F'renchman
was still in the village, and that he was
from New Orleans. 1t was Interesting
yes. indeed, II was important-to know
that there was some one close at hand
who had been in the same city with heg
father. and probably met him, or passed
him on the street This was something
oh, a great dsal-and, fortunately, Nan
thought so, too. Sarah Clopton was not
enthusiastic, but she said nothing to cast
the cloud of doubt over Zepherine :
hopes. As for Mr.. Sanders, he was OF
the opinion. as he expressed 1t, that If
there wasn't but one chance in hun
dred, 1t was a mighty big chance.
In fine, Mr.. Sanders gave little Miss
Johns great cause to hope that Peter Val
icombe would be able to give her valu-
able information of some sort. Neverthe-
less, Nan Darlington was more enthusl-
astic than all Of them put together. She
was perfectly sure that Mr.. Valicombe
could tell Zepherine something about her
father; and why not go TO see him at
once? Nan had a pair of shoes that need
ed new soles, and she'd have them fixed
without delay.
The case became very urgent Nothing
would satisfy her but an immediate visit
to the shop OF Mr.. Valicombe. and of
course Zepherlne must accompany her.
When this was all settled Mr.. Sanders
said he'd 20 along to keep Nan straight
and to prevent her from begging the
clerks in the stores for candy.
Well, the trio went TO Mr.. Valicombe's
shop, and he was not there; his pros
perlty had reached such a point that he
was able to employ journeyman or two,
and at this particular time he was on
visit to his old home In New Orleans. But
he would soon be back-if not tomorrow,
certainly the next day.
Aepnerlno WAS pldlhiy uAbdppolHtSus anu
Nan was really angry; but Mr.. Sanders
remarked that II was very lucky that
Peter had taken a notion TO go back
home on a visit. 1t might be, he said
that he would be able to give Miss Johns
the very latest information about her
pappy.
The next day and the next Nan made
II her business to watch the old stage
coach as 1t came in from Malvern. and
on the third day she noted that Mr.. Val
icombe arrived m it. being the only pas
ssnger. He had no sooner alighted at the
tavern than Nan pounced upon him. and
blthely informed him that a beautiful
young lady had been trying to make his
acquaintance. No; she wouldn't tell who
II was. but it was a young lady who
spoke French. and who intended TO ask
Mr.. Valicombe a very important ques-
ton, and he must be sure to give her a
favorable answer.
The next day when Zepherine and Nan
called to see Mr.. Valicombe, they were
told that ne was i'll in bed and could see
no one. a few days afterward. Nan haY,