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

erty. My refusal would have given
her no surprise. l, on the contrary,
was the one to feel surprise.
Mrs. Denstone looked at him with
unfeigned establishment. "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 Frenchman
caught hold of Arthur's arm tremu-
lousy. "My dear young sir" he
said, "my good friend, listen to me.
have to go down to Southampton
tonight. am on my way home, you
have understood. Goucy is in the
Breton country, not far from Wire,
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 fear. Do you divine what
I want to ask? l 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; Il cannot afford that"
Eyes, yes, and your moderate ex-
penses at an inn for the night That
is understood. The boat leaves at 12
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
rying into the compartment See,
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; shall have a good
passage"
The train was just about to start
when the door was once more opened,
and gentleman got in, carrying a
large railway rug, which he wrapped
carefully round his legs.
He had grey hair, a 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, 81 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"
The train began to move, the trav-
eler waved his hand
EAU revoir!" he exclaimed.
Arthur, leaning back sleepily in
the corner of the carriage, lazily
thought what plump looking hand
the old, gray haired man had. Their
fellow traveller took out a 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
2f Peru, Is it not SOL"
"Yes," said Arthur, sleepily. ale
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, lust
from curiosity, you know, nothing
else, what Louise died of. She was
nearly of an age with myself; we
played together. My mother COM
mended her to my protection. Bah!
II not imprudent, l might venture a
question or two, if you will begin"
Monsieur" said Arthur, taking
eff his hat and addressing their fell
low traveller in French, may I VEN
ture to ask if you are from Peru?"
The gentleman bowed
Certainly, am at your service, :"
he said. do you know the country?"
"No." said Arthur, "but this gem
tleman is interested in family once
resident there, and if you could tell
him anything about them he will be
gratified."
"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.
IAN 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,
like many others; but the son es-
capped it."
THE son? But they had no fam
i.y.'
Pardon. Then it cannot be the
same. These Leducs had son.