The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-04-29
CHAPTER Xix.

He raised her hand 10 MS lips, Ne
could not help it, only saying, Il need
no thanks. I would do anything for
you or Arthur"
The next morning early he started
for Goucy, determining to travel
night and day. His mind was full
Of the gravest misgivings as to what
might have become of the MAI who
was not only his dear friend, but
Tola's passionately loved brother.
Mr.. Irvine reached Goucy with the
smallest possible delay. and, desiring
TO be taken to the best inn in the
town, was conveyed to La Pie
Blanche" He was a very good
French scholar. fortunately. so had
no difficulty in understanding all that
was said to him; but the story that
MS voluble landlady poured out was
so extraordinary and confused that
he distrusted the evidence of his own
ears.
Monsieur has only to speak to
Monsieur Tasset, our Mayor said
the landlady. tossing her head.
Though, as to incredulity. all the
world knows the story of Jacques Ay-
mar. and should not that which
was true in the seventeenth century
prove likewise true in the nineteenth
-eh?"
Mr.. Irvine had nothing to answer
to this argument. but he followed her
advice and asked for an interview
with both the Mayor and the Cure,
and they not only confirmed the good
landlady's story, but told the whole
thing with a clearness and force that
left no room for doubt. Moreover,
the story was nov in every newspaper
In France, and had created an eX-
tr%aordinary sensation.
The criminal had confessed his
crime, and his confession. having
been accepted as ar eXtenuating cir
cumstance, had escaped the extreme
penalty of the law, and was con-
demned to the galleys for life.
But where, then, is Mademoiselle
Rigaud, and where is my friend?"
cried Mr.. Irvine, becoming more and
more anxious.
"Mademoiselle Rigaud is still at
Bordeaux" said Monsieur Tasset.
After her extraordinary mission was
over she succumbed, as we all knew
she must-being a young and deli
cate girl-to a very dangerous brain
fever. We did all we could for her.
Neither Monsieur lie Cure, nor | my
self, left Bordeaux until everything
was arranged in the most satisfactory
manner Mademoiselle Rigaud was
removed to a hospital where a sep
arate department is assigned to
ladies of a good position. She is
nursed there most assiduously by the
good Sisters of the Holy Cross; and
as for her poor. devoted fance. he
took a room at LIE Lion dor and is
doubtless still there awaiting her re-
covery. Also his presence was re-
quired by the authorities, who init
mated to him that he must not leave
Bordeaux until the legal proceedings
were over and his evidence had been
given
Mr.. Irvine was struck by the cpl
thet fiance.
Il was not aware that my friend
and Mademoiselle Rigaud were afl-
anced," he said.
Monsieur Tasset and the Cure both
assured him it was a fact, and they
iwelt on the extreme and unselish
devotion that Arthur had shown
throughout, speaking of him with a
warmth and admiration which Mr..
Irvine treasured up for Tola's ben
eft.
That same evening he started by
the night express for Bordeaux.
Mr.. Irvine arrived at Bordeaux
about 4 o'clock in the morning, drove
straight TO lie Lion dor and as it
was too early TO make inquiries or
disturb Arthur that morning, he went
to bed.
He was tired vi from the rapid
ity of his late travelling, and he did
not awake from his sleep till 10
o'clock. He rose, breakfasted in the
coffee room, and asked for Arthur.
He was told. TO his disappointment,
that he always left the hotel early,
went to the Hospital Of the Holy
Cross, and very often did not return
home before dusk.
Mr.. Irvine thought it better not to
go too early TO the hospital, SO he
sat down and wrote a long journal
like letter to lola, telling her all the
events of each succeeding day.
1t vas only when actually writing
1t down in black and white that he
fully realized the strangeness of the
story he had 10 tell.
Having finished his letter he took
1t out to post. and then made his way
to the hospital and asked for Arthur
Denstone.
He was shown into the visitors
room, where he found already groups
of people waiting about in a large
bare apartment resembling the wait
ing room Of a railway station. Be-
fore he had been there five minutes,
the door opened and Arthur Denstone
came in. He came forward with the
stiff, uncertain look upon his face Of
a man who does not know whom to
expect, but at the sight Of Mr.. Irvine
his whole face changed, he sprang
forward with both hands out
stretched. and with al emotion which
for the moment rendered him speech
less.