Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-07-23
1HE;-NISER's DAUGHTER
CHAPTER XIx.-(Continucd.)
By itONRe De BALzAc

CHAPTER XIX.-(COntinucd.)
"Nanon. we are alone. you and l."
"Yes, nam'selle; II I only knew where
he was. the charming young gentleman,
would set of on foot to find him."
"The sea lies between u.s." said Eu-
genie.
When the poor lonely hciress, with
her faithful old servant for company,
was shedding tears in the old. dark
house, which was all the world she
knew, mon talked from Orleans to Nan
ter If nothing hut Mile Grandet and her
seventeen millions. One Of her first acts
was to settle a pension Of twelve hun
dred francs on Nanon, who. possessing
alrcady an income Of six hundred francs
Of her own, at once became a great
match. In less than a month she ex-
changed her condition of. spinster for
that Of wife. at the instance and through
the persuasion OF Antoine CornOil!er.
who was promoted to the position Of
bailiff and keeper to Mile. Grnndet.
Eugene was woman Of thirty and as
yet had known none Of the happiness
Of life. 1t seemed hardly probable that
she would marry while she still wore
mourning. Her sincere piety was well
known. So the Cruchot family. coun-
seled by the nstute old Able, was fam
to be content with surrounding the
heiress with the most affectionnte atten-
tons. Her dining room was filed every
evening with the warmest and most de-
voted Cruchotins. NJ. lie President de
Bonfons was the hero Of the circle; they
lauded his talents. his personal appear
ance, his learning. his aminbility; he
was an inexhaustible subject Of admir-
ing comment.
M. lie President" had striven to act
ny to the part he wanted to play. He
was 40 years old. his countenance was
dark and |ill.fnvored, he had. moreover,
the wizcned look which Is frequently
seen In men Of his profession: but he AZ.
fected the airs Of youth. sportcd a ma.
lacca cane. and went to Mile. Grandet's
house arrayed In a white cravat and a
shirt with huge frills. He called the
fair heiress our dear Eugcnie," and
spoke as II he were an intimate friend
Of the family. The pack was still In
pursuit of Eugenie's millions; It was q
more numerous pack now; they gave
tongue together. and hunted down theiI
prey more systematically.
II Charles had come back from the
far-off Indies. he would have found thu
same motives Mt work and almost the
same people. Nine. des Grassins, fol
whom Eugene had nothing but kindness
and pity. still remained to vex the Cru
chots. Eugenic's face still shone ou
against the dark background. ant
Charles. though invisible. reigned Their
supreme MS In other days.
Yet some advance had been made
Eugenie's birthday bouquet was ncvel
forgotten by the magistrate. Indeed
evening he brought the heodilup-6N.
It had become IN institution; every even
ing he brought the heiress a huge un(
wonderful bouquet. Nine. Cornoiller Oh
tentatiOusly placed these offerings In |
vase, and promptly flunG them into I
corner of the yard as soon as the visit
ors had departed.
In the early spring Nine. DIES Gras
sins made move. aud sought - trOti
bic the felicity Of the Cruchotins b!
talking to Eugene Of the Marquis d.
Fvoidfond. whose ruined fortunes Nigh
he retrieved IL the heiress would return
his estates to him by marriage con
tract. Nine. des Grassins lnuded tn
marquis and his title to the skies: and
taking Eugcnie's quiet smile for consent
she went about saying that NJ. le Prcsi
dent Cruchot's marriage was not such
settled thing M some people imagined.
M. de Froidfond may be ffty year
old" she said. "but he looks no Ode
than NJ. 'Cruchot; he 10 widower, an,
has q family. It IL true; but he Is mar
QuiS. he will be peer Of France one o
these days. II II not such had mattel
as times 20. know Of my own certai
knowledge that when old Grnndet sdde,
his own property to the Froidfond 81
tate he meant to graft hts family int
the Froidfonds. He often told me q
much. Oh! he was shrewd old mar
was Grandet."
"Ah! Nanon." Eugenie said one. even
ing. an she went to bed. why has he no
once written to me In seven years?"