The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-11-19
CHAPTER III.
Continued.

GW0men are easily satisfied when
Nhey Know no better; rest assured OF
ahxt Antoinette will know no bet
her; also she will be a great protec-
zion to me, she has about her some
Of the mysterious gift-but I trouble
you. l stay too long.
~Risaud," said Mr.. Denstone,
earnestly, "be advised by me. Do
fRstice to your child, E,ou have no
right to condemn her TO this paltry
ME when she has been born to better
Hhings. Believe me, tie happiness
will soon compensate you for any sac
1ifce"
Il hate the word sacrifice said
Monsieur Rigaud; land, believe me-
my dear friend, it is totally unneces-
Rry. You know the old proverb,
what the eye doth not see the heart
aOth not grieve over 1t is absolute
liz applicable to this case. So why
should l not indulge my predictions
for a quiet and unpretentious life?"
81 have, OF course, no right to in
Nerfere."
The old Frenchman bowed. The
bow was full of a kind of fine irony
which irritated Mr.. Denstone consid-
Eably.
81 have said all I can presume to
aay," he said, rather f1ercely.
Il am obliged to you for your good
advice," said Monsieur Rigaud; then
swiftly turning the conversation,
@and more obliged to you still for
your most kind invitation. With
your permission l return at once to
my hotel, there to pack my clothes,
and l will return this evening before
dinner to install myself under your
most hospitahle roof"
Monsieur Rigaud was just going,
when a sudden thought occurred 70
Nr. Denstone, and he strobe after
Aim toward the door.
"Rigaud," he said, cit has just oc-
&arred to me I should like to give
you one word of warning. Do not
when you are at home at Goucy you
can preserve now the strict .incognito
that was doubtless possible twenty
years ago. You are a Well-known
Personage both in London and Liver
pool, not only for your financial
actteness but for your enormous
wealth. They tell me the railway
rams through Goucy now. Where the
railway goes, modern civilization fol-
jews. 1t will be difficult for you to
preserve your reputation for poverty
sven in so quiet a spot. Doubtless
your frequent absences have been a
aE1itful source of conjecture and gos-
up in the cafes"
Not at all, not at all. am known
% be commercial traveller. l and
my bag have been known on the line
ffe last thirty years, and as for sus-
DicIOns in the minds of Goucy folks
Reste! my dear friend, you who
live in towns can form no idea what
ever of the obtuseness of country
BRAINS"
IL can form q very good idea of the
3cuteness of, town brains" muttered
Mr. Denstone, but he only drew back,
saying half apologetically, IL meant
10 throw no reflection on your coun-
Try folk, Rigaud."
) Monsieur Rigaud bowed again, and
@urmuring, my respects to madame
and entreaties that / may in no way
6erange her," he went away.
Mr.. Denstone turned to Arthur
who had been seated during the
whole conversation near the window
apparently engaged in reading the
Times.
THAT is curious study, Arthur,
NE said. What is your opinion? L
NE mad?"
"No," said his nephew, mot unless
me cupidity of a miser is really
mNrt Of mania. 1t is taking complet
9nssession Of him, body and soul
KOu can see it in his very hands, tn
&ngers beginning to crook them
Delves, the tips pointed and claw-like
&Ae furtiVe glance over his shoulder.
~Wretched mani" exclaimed MI
Denstone, walking up and down tn
10om. did you ever hear such con
%nmmate egotism? AS to his wealth
my dear fellow, that man has capita
.I%SA III Till ~ d year dL III
lowest possible calculation of inter
est, and where is it? Tell me that
1nto what is he dissolving it?
He could not carry about the blu,
Non even were he fool enough to cor
vert it into gold; and 1 hear of hi
closing banking accounts in all direC
lions. I wish he were not comm
here. / cannot bear him now"
Where can the child beg"
He said at school, 1t is mere
dAat he has the decency to give: he
some sort of education at all event
As for her fate, shut up at Goucy wit
IN old miser for her sole companion
d is miserable prospect. God bel
8er!"
He must die some day." said A
@ur. &
~Die!" cried Mr.. Denstone. "Thos
Eort of people never die! 1 must 9
and tell your aunt that he is comir
here. She won't like it at all"
CHAPTER ".