The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-02-05


my second life. She, of her indiscre-
ton, asked help of my known pow
erty. My refusal would have given
her no surprise. I, on the contrary,
was the one to feel surprise"
Mrs. Denstone looked at him with
unfeigned astonishment. "The poor,
dear, wrong-headed old gentleman!
she exclaimed to Arthur. WAS there
ever such blindness?"
They travelled third-class, which
suited Arthur's purse and Monsieur
Rigaud's pretensions. When they
reached London, just as they were
about to separate, the old Frenchnan
caught hold of Arthur's arm tremu-
lously. my dear young sir" he
said, my good friend, listen to me.
l have to &C down to Southampton
tonight. l am on my way home, you
have understood. Goucy is in the
Breton country, not far from V1tre,
very benighted; but am safe enough
over the Channel. am well-known
commission agent there. Once at ST..
Malo, I am again myself. 1t is Eng
land that l fear. Do you divine what
/ want to ask? I will pay your jour
ney. Take me to Southampton; con-
vey me on board the boat with my
little box. You shall not go unre-
warded."
He did not like to desert him; in
deed, without physical force, he could
hardly have detached the grip on his
arm.
you must pay my Journey" he
said, bluntly; II cannot afford that"
"Yes, yes, and your moderate ex-
penses at an inn for the night. That
is understood The boat leaves at II
tonight. Come" he said, changing
his tone, "we have to cross to Water
loo station. Carry your box, my dear
young man, and give me your arm. "
This time Monsieur Rigaud took
first-class tickets. THE company one
meets is perhaps safer" he said, hur-
rying into the compartment. See,
1 have taken both single, you can re-
turn third. 1t is safe for you, and
you doubtless prefer it. Put the box
under my feet, so. The night is fine,
thank Heaven; I shall have good
passage"
The train was just about to start
when the door was once more opened,
and a gentleman got in, carrying a
large railway rug, which he wrapped
! carefully round his legs.
He had grey hair, q great beard
almost white, and blue spectacles. He
leant out of the window and spoke to
someone outside.
"Yes, my friend" he said, in
French. "I return to Peru within
fortnight. I shall be glad to be at
home again"
"Bah!" said the voice outside. "A
Frenchman is never at home off the
pave at Paris" ....i
The train began to move, the trav-
eler waved his hand.
"Au revoir!" he exclaimed.
Arthur, leaning back sleepily in
the corner of the carriage, lazily
thought what a plump looking hand
the old, gray haired man had. Their
| fellow traveller took out novel, tried
to read it by the imperfect light of
the compartment, then, with an i'm
patient "Pish!" returned it to his
pocket.
Arthur shut his eyes. He was
sitting opposite to Monsieur Rigaud,
| the Peruvian in the furthest corner,
with his, back to the engine.
Arthur was awakened by the cold,
bony touch of Monsieur Rigaud's
| hand.
Arthur" he said, in a whisper.
"Monsieur Arthur, listen to me. That
gentleman. Did you not hear? He is
Of Peru. is it not so?"
YES" said Arthur, sleepily. "He
implied it.
What do you think? Would it be
, prudent? He might know something
Of the family Leduc. should like to
know" said the old man, fumbling
| his hands together nervously, "just
from curiosity. you know, nothing
else, what Louise died of. She was
nearly of an age with myself; we
played together. My mother COM
nended her to my protection. Bah!
If not imprudent, 1 might venture a
question or two, if you will begin"
"Mopsieur," said Arthur, taking
off his hat and addressing their fell
low traveller in French, may ven
ture to ask if you are from Peru?"
The gentleman bowed.
Certainly, l am at your SERVICE"
he said. do you know the country?"
NO." said Arthur, "but this gen.
tleman is interested in a family once
resident there, and if you could tell
him anything about them he will be
sratifed."
"Yes?' said the stranger, turning
politely to Monsieur Rigaud. With
the greatest pleasure in my life. The
name Of the family"
"Is Leduc," said Monsieur Rigaud.
"An elderly lady and gentleman
she evidently with the remains Of
great beauty? Can it be the same?"
Louise had some pretensions to
good looks, and she must have been
elderly. Yes, it is probably the same.
The news of their deaths was con-
veyed to me, sir, but never heard Of
what they died"
"Of fever, monsieur; it was an un-
healthy season. They died Of fever,