Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-14


thank God. we have a bright future
before us. Let US bury the past, and
enjoy life together"
Louis Was silent.
Castor kept up an uninterrupted
stream of questions. He wished 10
know all that had happened during
his absence.
What about Clameran?' he alb
ruptly asked.
Louis hesitated momerr. Should
he tell the truth. or not7
II have sold ClaIneran." he finally
said.
The chateau, too?"
"Yes."
you acted ss You thought best"
said CASTOR. sadly but il seems 20
me that If had been in your place
should have kept the old homestead.
Our ancestors lived there for many
generations. and our father lies
buried there"
Seeing that Lonis' face remained
clouded he went on:
"Ah. ] see what annoys you, my
dear Louis; you are rich. and think
cept anything from YOU. Is il not
so?"
Louis started AZ this question. How
could he reply so as not to commit
bimself?"
Il am not rich" he finally said.
The salary Of an Office which I hold
in Paris is all that / have 10 support
me-"
Yet you wanted to pay me back
half of the family inheritancel Louis
that is unkind; YOU are not acting as
a brother should"
Louis hung his head. CASTOR was
uneonsciously telling the truth.
Il should be a burden to you, Gas
ton"
"A burden. Why. Louis, you must
me mad, Did / rot tell YOU am very
rich2 Do YOU suppose that you have
seen all / possess? Tkis house and the
iron-works dc not constitute
fourth Of my fortune. Do you think
that I would nave risked my twenty
years savings in an experiment OF
this sort? The forge may be failure.
and then what would become OF me
IL ] had nothing else?
Il have invested money which
yields me an income Of eighty thou
sand francs. Besides. my grants in
Brazil have been sold. and my agent
has already deposited four hundred
thousand frame TO my credit as part
payment"
Louis trembled with pleasure. He
was. at last. 10 know the extent OF
the danger hanging over him. Gas
ton had finally preached the subject
which had caused him so much
anxiety, and he determined that Il
should now be explained before their
conversation ended.
Who is your agent1" he asked,
with assumed indifference.
MY old partner at Rio. He deposit
ed the money at my Paris bankers"
rs this banker friend of yours ?"
No; I never heard OF him until
my banker at Pau recommended him
TO me as an honest, reliable man; he
is immensely wealthy. and stands At
the head OF the hnanciers in Paris
His name lie Fsuvel. and he dives on
the Rue de Provence"
Although prepared for hearing al.
most anything. and determined 20 be-
tray no agitation. Louis turned dead
ly pale.
do YOU know this bonker?" asked
CASTOR.
only by reputation"
Then we can make his acquaint-
ance together; for / intend accom-
panying you to Paris. when you re-
turn there 10 settle up your affairs
before establishing yourself here 70
superintend the forge"
AT this unexpected announcement
OF step which would prove his ut ter
ruin, Louis was stupefed. In answers
TO his brothers questioning look he
gasped out:
You are going 20 PARISH
Certainly ! am. Why should / not
go"
There Is no reason why"
" / hate Paris. although have
never been there. But ! am called
there by interest. by sacred duties. -
he hesitatingly said. The truth is,
understand that Nile. de la Verberie
lives in Paris. and l wish 10 see her."
"Ahi"
Castor was client and thoughtful
for some moments. and then said
nervously:
Il Will tell you, Louis. why l wish
TO see her. l left cur family jewels
in her charge, and wish TO recover
them"
DO YOU intend. after a lapse Of
twenty-three years, 10 claim these
iewelS?"
"Nes-or rather no. only make
the jewels an excuse for seeing her
! must see her conference.-the
Is the only woman | ever really lovedi"
But how will you find her?"
oh! that is easy enough. Anyone
can tell me the name of her hus-
band. then / will go 90 see her. Per
haps the shortest way to find out
would be 10 write 10 Beaucaire. will