The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-25
CHAPTER XIII.
Continued.


ment you make reminds me of her"
II never knew my mother" said
A%ntoinette, sadly. But, my cousin,
to return to what I was about to say.
You have seen something of my
father of late. Can you account for
the nervous timidity of his letters to
me? Have you seen any change in
him? In the state Of his Aerves, for
instance?"
Paul paused; then said, ~hesitating-
ly, II cannot deny it. Yes"
"In what way?"
"He chung to me in a manner
rather surprising to RE; seemed to
feel a distrust Of those surrounding
him. Especially of-patience, dear
cousin-most especially Of old Bat
tiste."
"Ah! then it must have been alto
gether on the nerves." said Antoin-
cite. "He has always had every rea-
son to believe in the absolute fidelity
of old Battiste and Nanon."
GAIL will be we'll now that you are
come" said Arthur. you will make
it all right"
81 hope So" she answered; "but
the beginning has certainly been
rather disheartening."
Paul Leduc rose to his feet. you
are weary with your journey, by
cousin" he said, land it makes you
see things en- noir; and Monsieurhere,
your fellow-traveler, should see his
room. I think it would be well if
we were to take leave. 1t grieves me
to the heart to be obliged to go so
soon, but in the course of a week
I hope to be back again, and to find
you safely and happily settled with
your father"
Antoinette stopped him. Before
you leave us, Monsieur" she said,
would you do me a favor?"
Anything that is in my power"
he exclaimed.
'"It is this. I want you to do me
this kindness. Knock at my fathers
door yourself, tell him that I am
longing to see him, unhappy at not
being permitted to do so, and beg
him to let me in, for a moment, if
only to wish him good night"
Il will do my BEST" Paul said. IL
wish I could hold out any hope that
my errand would be successful; but
you know he is very old. For no
one else in the world would l under
take to disturb him, but I cannot re-
fuse you"
He left the room. He had no
sooner disappeared than a look of
great relief passed over Antoniette's
face. She caught hold of Arthur's
hand in both hers, and exclaimed, in
a quick, urgent whisper, Il distrust
him from the depth of my heart"
He was greatly astonished at her
extreme emotion.
do you not, then, believe that he
is your cousin?" he asked.
"Yes-no-yes; I don't know. Oh!
Arthur, I have no one I a. trust but
YOU"
HE put his arm round her. you
may trust me-" he said. "You know
that, do you not? Tell me every
thing. Have you heard anything
fresh?"
YES" she said, still holding him
fast, as if to do Sc gave her courage.
"Battiste has told me something very
strange. You were right. My father
was very rich, but he has turned all
his fortune into diamonds. That is
the reason he shuts himself up like
this. He has never known a moment
free from terror since he did it. The
terror amounts to a mania. He con-
dded all to Battiste n day, and since
then the poor old man says he has
seemed to fear him also" She sank
her voice. "He keeps them all in his
room. He spends all his time count
ing them.
"Battiste told me that he believes
no one in the world knows but him
self, not Paul Leduc, he thinks, but
he says that If I had not come he
meant to confide the secret to him
himself. He says rightly that some
one ought to know"
"Oh! yes, he would never fail. l
I'M quite certain Of that. He says
that my father never shut himself up
so early as he has since Paul came,
and the poor old fellow has a fancy
that he has done his best to make
his old master distrust him more
But I ought not to detain you," she
went on, with such a sudden change
of tone that Arthur turned round and
saw that Paul Leduc had returned.
1T was of no avail, dear cousin
he said, shaking his head. ALAS!
My uncle answered me very hastily,
He said he would not be disturbed
that he was busy. Tell Antoinette
will see her in the morning. he alone
answered to all my e%ntreaties. Pa
thence, dear cousin; tomorrow you
will have every opportunity OF being
with yourffather, and I am convinced
that in your charming society he will.
very soon give up his solitary habits
and will never again withdraw him
self from you like this. I wish
could have lone more"
Thank you," said Antoinette
You could do nothing more. I an
satisfied of that"
Paul turned to Arthur. Il am al
your service, Monsieur" he said.
Arthur would willingly have spoken
a few more words to Antoinette ir
private, but she made a quick, ner
yous movement, which he understood