The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-11

| new home to which he was about to
| consign what he now suddenly felt to
| be the greatest treasure of his life.
He could scarcely conceal his dismay;
but it was Antoinette's turn to COM
fort.
Il remember it, I remember it
we'll, now" she exclaimed. 1T is just
what I recollect, ever to the cocks
and hens, and the things hung out to
| dry in the courtyard. l shall be able
to improve something, at all events,
she said. ut is easy to see that the
poor old house has no mistress
Poor Arthur! He felt as if he
could not consign his precious charge
to this desolate, lonely, unhealthy
looking home. He Involuntary
grasped her hand at the very idea.
She looked up with a smile. There
is nothing in the least to alarm me
in all this" she said, brightly. In
fact, my presentiments have all fed.
Of course, it looks neglected, but
have no fear of poverty, as o know,
and my father is very poor
She caught the %incredulous look on
Arthur's face, which he could not
quite hide, and the color flushed into
hers. 1T is true, in spite of the fact
that yol do not believe me-" she
said. a little Indignantly; and, re-
fusing his offered help, she sprang
from the cart to the ground. and
pulled the bell herself.
1t was some minutes before It was
answered, and Mounier got impa-
tient. "Dame!" he exclaimed, my
bargain did not include the loss of a
whole day. See, lend a hand, Mon
sieur!" and he unceremoniously lifted
out their boxes on to the road, with
Arthur's assistance, and drove off,
biting the form which he had put
into his hand, as if doubling the pos
sibility of it's genuineness as a gift
from anyone who had any connection
with Mon Repos.
Antoinette would wait no longer.
She rang again and again. The door
opened at last, and the old woman
appeared, her head shaking very
much from excitement. us it posi-
ble?" she exclaimed, shrilly. Not
'demoiselle already! and the master
never told me! Dame! Why did he
not tell me? Here, Battiste! Quick,
quick! Mademoiselle has come!
Let Monsieur know. Here, Battiste!
One would think he was growing
old" she cried, as her old husband
followed her into the yard.
"Mademoiselle has forgotten old
Nanon," she exclaimed, opening her
arms wide. "Can it be otherwise,
after thirteen long years.
Il have never forgotten you, dear,
dear Nanon!" cried Antoinette,
throwing herself into them and kiss
ing her withered old cheeks. II am
so rejoiced to see you again. But
did you not expect us? Where is my
father"
1--WE never knew what day or hour
you were coming; but everything is
ready for you, my precious. Old
Nanon has been counting the days till
you came. AS for Monsieur, we will
tell him soon, but he is in his W
room, he must not be disturbed; but
l will send Battiste to tell Mademoi-
selle's cousin. He will, indeed, be
rejoiced."
MY c~ousin?" said A%ntoinette,
puzzled. II did not know I had Z
cousin
perhaps not, Mademoiselle. Mon
sieur himself did not know till he ar
rived. He is a handsome young gen.
tleman, and has been Of great service
to Monsieur"
But who is he?" repeated Antoin-
cite.
HE is Monsieur Paul, the only son
of Mademoiselle Louise, who married
Monsieur Leduc, and who went off
some terrible far-away place called
Peru. They both died there, and
Monsieur is delighted with his
nephew"
Antionette looked ~bewildered, as
we'll she might. Arthur followed her
into the house. He did not mean to
leave Mon Repos till he had seen
Monsieur Rigaud, and consigned his
charge into her fathers own hands.
II must introduce myself" said a
pleasant voice from behind old Ma
non, who was leading the way.
"Mademoiselle, / have so recently
returned to France that I have never
yet had the honor of claiming you for
my cousin
Arthur looked up, expecting An
toinette to answer, but he started
suddenly. She was going straight
forward to meet a figure standing
some steps above her on the dark
staircase.
There was something odd in her
silence, and in the way her hands
were moving slightly up and down.
To be Continued.