The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-18

sine has quite a little reputation; all
of the gentlemen of the town dine
there regularly. The inn is always
rather full, but l have retained my
room there, although for the last few
days / have been staying here with
my uncle; but l must sleep there to-
night for the convenience of starting
by the 6 o'clock train tomorrow.
There is a vacant room next to my
own. Tomorrow, I have no doubt,
you will wish to succeed me IN my
apartment" Turning to Antoinette,
he went on: Nothing but impera-
tive duty would have induced me to
leave Mon Repos just now. But,
alas. have no choice. / travel for
an important firm in Paris. l have
received letters from my principal
asking what makes me linger so long
and desiring my return. You see, /
am not yet my own master; but,
nevertheless, l "a assure you, my
dear cousin. that nothing would have
induced me to leave my uncle had
you not been here to take my place.
As for danger, a need of actual pro-
lection, that is, l I'M convinced, only
a fancy of failing health; but COM
partnership, sympathy, flial care, 1
consider essential"
He stopped, and rapidly passed his
hand over his brow, on which, it
seemed to Arthur, the moisture had
gathered.
Il am sorry that you must co."
said Antoinette, c~ourteously, but
| coldly. And now, messieurs, you
will forgive me-, but I already re-
proach myself for having delayed to
seek my father. Though Battiste
told him / had come, he may not have
heard. Sometimes acuteness of hear
ing is lost"
My uncle hears as we'll as the
youngest man." said Paul Leduc, en-
phatically.
"Indeed!" said Antoinette, stifiy.
Then it is possible that old Battiste's
voice may not be SO loud as he i'm
AGNES it to be-"
"A Frenchman's voice rarely fails
him." said Paul. Then, seeing An
toinette's naughty look as she rose
to leave the room, he added, hastily:
DO not be d%ispleased with me, my
cousin. I only speak thus to save you
unnecessary pain. Without casting
a moments doubt on my uncle'S af-
lection for so charming a daughter,
his eccentricities are great, and"
Monsieur" said Antoinette. He
shrugged his shoulders slightly, but
opened the door for her to pass out
with the naughty carriage of a young
queen.
Paul Leduc returned to the table
and sat down. Arthur was thinking
deeply. He did not understand why
it was that Antoinette, instead of be-
ing overjoyed that she possessed a re-
lation of whose existence she had no
idea, had, on the contrary, received
and treated him with a GOODNESS and
reserve which he had hardly believed
to exist in her nature. He wondered
whether it was only shyness, or
whether she also had taken an IN
reasonable prejudice against him.
Monsieur Leduc took out a box of
cigars, pushed his chair from the
table, and offered n to Arthur.
Thank YOU" he answered, but l
do not smoke. Is it allowed in this
room?"
Paul pointed with a sweep of his
hand round the bare apartment, ut
terIy devoid OF carpet, cushion, or
curtains. Can you doubt it," he
said, with a sneer. "At least, that
small privilege remains to me. |
hope, bye-the-bye, that you are not
too hungry. My uncle's hospitality is
limited by his extreme poverty"
"Indeed!" said Arthur.
The dryness of his response seemed
to strike Paul.
Your tone is unusual, Monsieur"
he said, putting a cloud of smoke into
the air. Surely, with evidences such
as these" and he pointed to the re-
mains of their scanty supper, "it
would be difficult to believe other
wise"
You spoke of eccentricities," said
Arthur.
Yes, that is true; and very uncom-
Portable eccentricities they are" he
said, with a short laugh. He is very
exacting. Except when alone, locked
up behind two of the strongest oak
doors that could be made at Goucy,
he would not let me out Of his sight.
! hope my young cousin is strong and
Of a patient disposition. She will
require both strength and patience"
Paul Leduc was s~ingularly restless.
He got up, opened the window, looked
out, and shut it again; went to the
stove and leant on it, walked up and
down, or changed from Il seat to
another. He had 4 way, too, of snaw-
ing his upper lip; the marks of his
teeth were visible on it.
Have you known Antoinette
long," he said, suddenly. IF not in
discreet, may ! ask if you are an old
friend of the family? Do you know
Monsieur Rigaud?"
oh, yes, l knew Monsieur Rigaud
in England" answered Arthur. Il
was chosen to be his daughters
escort by his w wish-that is, he
commissioned my uncle to do so. !
knew all about him in England"
The color seemed TO fade out Of
Paul's face, Or it might be the effect
| of the winning light. "PeSte!" he OK