The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-03-17

but he is honest-honest to stupid
ity'
He sealed the letter and then pro
ceeded to indite another to Mr.. Den
stone at Liverpool.
Monsieur Rigaud felt better wher
these duties were done.
That night the wild March winds
arose and howled through the forest
The old house seemed to rock under
it's influence. Within his thick dou.
Bile doors old Rigaud lay, and rocked
little of the storm Yet he could not
sleep. He sat up in his hard, mar
row bed, clasping his bony hands
round his knees, and drawing the old
sheet round him closely, and he wait
ed for the noise and clamor to cease.
Suddenly, quite suddenly, came a
sound through all the din of the
tempest which drove the color from
his haggard cheeks, leaving him livid.
1t was the report of a gun, followed
by a loud, wild, inexpressibly piteous
howl, and then silence.
He scrambled out of bed and stood
painting, listening, breathlessly at the
door He heard footsteps, some one
opening the front door, shout from
Battiste, a shrill cry from Nanon, no
other voice; and presently his old
servant knocked at his door, exclaim-
ing: Let me in, Monsieur, it is all
right; don't be afraid, the rascals are
gone, whoverer they may be-"
you are sure it is all right" he
cried, TREMENDOUSLY, undoing the door.
"Peste! What do you mean by all
right" and he stepped back terrified
at the spectacle which greeted his
eyes. The body of the unfortunate
dog extended in a hideous death at
his feet.
who has done this?" he ex-
claimed who is the rascal? What
does it mean?"
1T means that we shall all be
robbed and murdered in our beds !"
cried old Nanon, who stood by in the
most grotesque of night-gear. Some
one has shot the miserable ANIMAL! ;"
But how could they get in? Ras-
cal! did you not lock the front door,"
cried Monsieur Rigaud, turning upon
his servant.
Dame! Yes, locked it," he an
swered, scratching his head. No
one has been in, the shot was fred
through the window" and he pointed
to the broken glass that lay scattered
on the ground.
There was no more sleep for any
of the three that night, and they were
thankful when morning came Their
masters terror had at last infected
the two old servants, and they con-
suited together what should be done.
The dog could not have been shot
for nothing" said Battiste, deliber-
ately. Some one has designs upon
u.s."
Monsieur Rigaud's nerves were so
completely shaken that he could only
look at them with kind of pitable
look, as if asking for protection.
Monsieur said old Battiste, at
last, speaking in kind of coaxing,
wheedling way "If Monsieur would
only hear reason. We are both old,
she and now, and though our cour-
age is as good as ever, we are not as
strong as we were thirty years ago.
Will Monsieur not listen to the voice
of nature? His natural protector is
at hand; Mademoiselle Louise's only
son, who asks leave to act the part
of a son to Monsieur, to help him
even with money. Let me summon
him. Keep him with us, at all events
for time. Does it not seem as if
Heaven sent him to be our protector
at this moment?"
"Nanon," said Monsieur Rigaud,
family, what do you say?"
do not ask me-" she answered,
gruffiy. "The world must be strange
ly changed when thieves come after
an empty cupboard"
~But it is not quite empty" said
Monsieur Rigaud. See, you are my
Oldest friends spoke tremulous-t
Yin that black box are my little
economies. Not much, my friends,
very little; but preserve them with
care. 1t is dot for Antoinette. /"
"Ha! hal" said old Nanon, now I
understand. Yes, yes, she exclaimed,
becoming as eager as her husband,
"at all hazards that must be pre-
served. 1t altogether changes my
opinions. Courage, Monsieur; let us
send for this Monsieur Leduc. AS
Battiste says, we may be flying in
the face of Heaven"
Tomorrow, then, you may sum
mon him, said the old man, family.
After Battiste had served his mas
ter's breakfast he walked over to
Goucy. He was only just in time, for
the landlady in whose house Paul
'Leduc was lodging informed him that
he was going away that afternoon;
but Battiste was taken up to his
apartment and found him seated be-
fore bureau writing a letter.
Apropos!" he said. "You can take
my letter. l was this moment writ
ing letter Of farewell tc Your mas
ter. You need not hesitate; it con-
tains no reproach, /" he added. holding
it out.
Battiste answered by pouring out
the story of the terrors of the past
night. Monsieur Leduc listened at
tentively.
So your master wishes me to re
main with him 2"
At all events till Mademoiselle ar
rives. You win not refuse him, will
you, Monsieur?"
No, mo- sail the young man.