The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-02-12
CHAPTER VIII.

One morning, day or two aftei
Monsieur Risaud's arrival, as he was
sitting over his scanty midday break
fast, cid Battiste brough, him a card
on which was written, N pen and
ink, Paul Rigaud Leduc." The per-
spiration rose to his brow. What was
this? Had this nephew, Of whose ex-
istence he had only just heard, found
him out and come to prey upon him?
Tell him to go away" he said,
querulously. II know nothing of
him. He is a stranger, and I hate
strangers.
He is Monsieur's own nephew"
said Battiste, earnestly. IF only
Monsieur would see him! Surely he
would not send away Mademoiselle
Louise's only child"
"Mademoiselle Louise is dead, and
Antoine Leduc is dead. They are all
dead of my generation. Send him
away, say"
At this moment, fierce bark and
snarl from the dog chained to the
doors of Monsieur Rigaud's private
room made itself heard. Monsieur
Rigaud almost screamed with i'm
patience.
He is trying to penetrate by force!
Send him away, say. will have no
strangers here"
Battiste went away slowly. The
young visitor who had sent in his
name as Paul Leduc was leaning
against the doorway, irritating with
the point of his cane the snarling dog.
He must have heard every word of
tie conversation from the dining
room, but when Battiste told him
that Monsieur Rigaud was indisposed,
and did not receive, he made no re-
mark, only thrust a napoleon into
Battiste's hand and turned to go.
Battiste looked at the gold and then
at the departing figure with an air
of stupefaction. Such a thing had
never happened to him in his life be-
fore. 1t must be mistake. The
old man was honest. Monsieur Leduc
was not yet out of sight. He was
hobbling swiftly after him, his feeble
cries of Monsieur! But Monsieur,
them" drowned by the frantic bark
ing of the dog, which flung itself
backward and forward on it's chain,
grinding his teeth and tearing at the
obstacle which prevented it from
springing at the throat Of the visitor.
The young man heard nothing till
he was some way along the road,
when the painting old servant suc-
ceeded in overtaking him, and, to en-
force his attention, held him tight
by the lapel of his coat while he re-
gained his breath.
"Well?" said Monsieur Leduc,
rather impatiently, what is 1t all
about?"
"Monsieur has made mistake, "
said Battiste, holding out the napo-
leon. Doubtless Monsieur thought
it was a franc. 1t was mistake"
1T was no mistake" said Monsieur
Leduc, leaning against tree and
folding his arms. After all, I have
no relations left in the wide world.
This is a sad position, is it not? I am
aware from my mothers dying words
that she had a brother. I seek him
out, am repulsed, as you see; why,
I cannot conceive. ] ask nothing OF
him. A Leduc comes not as beggar.
On the contrary, the apparent want
and poverty of my uncle's surround
ings strike me so forcibly that I have
even felt that I might claim the privi-
lege of q son to help in money mat
tiers, my purse and my. heart alike at
his service; but I resign myself, and
go hence as lonely as I came. At
least I may offer small gift to an
old servant who has doubtless known
my mother"
He spoke with a strange sort of
open frankness. Battiste was touched
to the heart.
know Mademoiselle Louise?
Heaven rest her soul! Have not
these arms carried her a hundred
times, a prattling infant? Did I not
teach her to ride and drive the old
pony? Did I not tame rabbits for
her, and feed her chickens, and wait
on her till she went away and the
old people died, and we entered upon
a new state of things?"
"Ah," said Paul Leduc, thought
fully, "she was beautiful rider"
There" exclaimed the old man,
"I knew she would become so! Here
they laughed at me, for she never
could keep her seat, and was too
frightened to trot; but it was all
want of practice, see-?"
II must co." said the young man,
suddenly, "for I must catch the even,
ing train"
you leave already? All! Dame!"
70 be Continued.