The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-01-29
Continued.


"Women are easily satisfied when
they know no better; rest assured OF
that. Antoinette will know no bet
ter; also she will be a great protec-
ton to me, she has about her some
of the mysterious gift-but | trouble
you. l stay too long
"Rigaud," said Mr.. Denstone,
earnestly, "be advised by me. DO
justice to your child. You have no
right to condemn her to this paltry
life when she has been born to- better
things. Believe me, the happiness
will soon compensate you for any sac
rifice."
"I hate the word sacrifice, said
Monsieur Rigaud; and, believe me,
my dear friend, it is totally unneces-
sary. You know the old proverb,
What the eye doth not see the heart
doth not grieve over 1t is absolute
ly applicable to this case. So why
should I not indulge my predictions
for a quiet and unpretentious life?"
81 have, of course, no right to in
terfere."
The old Frenchman bowed. The
bow was full of kind of fine irony
which irritated Mr.. Denstone consid-
erably.
II have said all l can presume to
say" he said, rather iercely.
II am obliged to you for your good
advice, =" said Monsieur Rigaud; then
swiftly turning the conversation,
land more obliged to you still for
your most kind invitation. With
your permission I return at once to
my hotel, there to pack my clothes,
and / will return this evening before
dinner to install myself under your
most hospitable roof"
Monsieur Rigaud was just going,
when a sudden thought occurred to
Mr.. Denstone, and he strobe after
him toward the door.
"Rigaud," he said, lit has just oc-
Cured to me l should like to give
you one word of warning. Do not
deceive yourself with the idea that
when you are at home at Goucy you
can preserve now the strict incognlto
that was doubtless possible twenty
years ago. You are a well-known
parsonage both in London and Liver
pool, not only for your financial
acuteness but for your enormous
wealth. They tell me the railway
runs through Goucy now. Where the
railway goes, modern civilization fol-
lows. 1t will be difficult for you to
preserve your reputation for poverty
even in so quiet spot. Doubtless
your frequent absences have been
fruitful source of conjecture and gos-
sip in the cafes"
"Not at all, not at all. am known
to be a commercial traveller. / and
my bag have been known on the line
the last thirty years, and as for sus-
picions in the minds of Goucy folks
live in towns can form no idea what
ever of the obtuseness of country
brains"
Il can form very good idea of the
acuteness of town brains," muttered
Mr.. Denstone, but he only drew back,
saying half apolosetically, Il meant
to throw no reflection on your coun-
try folk, Rigaud."
Monsieur Rigaud bowed again, and
murmuring, My respects to madame,
and entreaties that I may in no way
derange 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,
he said. What is your opinion? Is
he mad?"
NO." said his nephew, mot unless
the cupidity of miser is really a
sort of mania. 1t is taking complete
possession of him, body and soul.
You can see it in his very hands, the
fingers beginning to- crook them
selves, the tips pointed and claw-like,
the furtive glance over his shoulder. "
"Wretched mani" exclaimed Mr..
Denstone, walking up and down the
room. did you ever hear such con-
summate egotism? AS to his wealth,
my dear fellow, that man has capital
worth thirty thousand a year at the
lowest possible calculation of inter
est, and where is it? Tell me that.
Into what is he dissolving it?
He could not carry about the bull
lion even were he fool enough to con-
vert it into gold; and hear of his
closing banking accounts in all Girec-
tions. I wish he were not coming
here. I cannot bear him now"
Where can the child be?'
He said at school, 1t is mercy
that he has the decency to give her
some sort of education at all events.
AS for her fate, shut up at Goucy with
an old miser for her sole companion,
it is miserable prospect. God help
her!"
"He must die some day." said Ar
thur.
"Die!" cried Mr.. Denstone. "Those
sort Of people never die! I must &c
and tell your aunt that he is coming
here. She won't like it at ALL"
CHAPTER w.
Monsieur Rigaud arrived in time
for dinner. He entered the drawing
room, where he found Arthur dressed
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