The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-07-29
CHAPTER XIX.

CF1AFIER ALA. 10
II was quite sure that there was
something very wrong she said,
turning deadly --;ale. "And now what
can be done?"
There is only one thing that can
be DONE" he answered, quickly. 81
shall start at once for Goucy.p
"You? Oh, how can let you do
it?r
Remember that I am en- my way
abroad already, and it matters very
little to me where go. All I want is
a thorough rest and change of air;
and could not rest until solved this
mystery"
1t frightens me" said Tola. IL 10
not know what to think. Oh! how
wish could go also.
Tomorrow, then, l shall start"
he said, Shy the first train, and /
promise you shall hear from me at
once"
"You will keep nothing back? You
will tell me all! / am very brave and
very strong said poor, little, CULVER
ing lola.
"Yes," he answered. @There is no
more cruel wrong than to keep back
the truth. / will tell you everything,
and will write every day; and now
must go. I must tell my mother,
and there are good many arrange
ments that must be made"
How can 1 thank your" cried
lola, looking at him with eyes full
of overlooking gratitude.
He raised her hand to his lips; he
could not help it., only saying, Il need
no thanks. I would do anything for
you or Arthur.
The next morning early he started
for Goucy, determining to travel
night and. day His mind was full
of the gravest misgivings as to what
might have become of the man who
was not only his dear friend, but
Tola's passionately loved brother.
Mr.. Irvine reached Goucy with the
smallest possible delay, and, desiring
to be taken to the best inn in the
town, was conveyed to ia Pie
Blanche" He was very good
French scholar, fortunately, so had
no difficulty in understanding all that
was said to him; but the story that
his voluble landlady poured out was
so extraordinary and confused that
he distrusted the evidence of his own
ears.
Monsieur has only to speak to
Monsieur Tasset, our Mayor" said
the landlady, tossing her head.
Though, as to incredulity, ALL the
world knows the story of Jacques Ay-
mar, and should not that which
was true in the seventeenth century
prove likewise true in the nineteenth
--eh?"
Mr.. Irvine had nothing to answer
to this argument, but he followed her
advice and asked for an interview
with both the Mayor and the Cure,
and they not only confirmed the good
landlady's story, but told the whole
thing with a clearness and force that
left no room for doubt. Moreover,
the story was now in every newspaper
in France, and had created an ex-
traordinary sensation.
The criminal had confessed his
crime, and his confession, having
been accepted as an extenuating cir
cumstance, had escaped the extreme
penalty of the law, and was con-
demned to the galleys for life.
"But where, then, is Mademoiselle
Rigaud, and where is my friend?"
cried Mr.. Irvine, becoming more and
more anxious.
"Mademoiselle Rigaud is still at
Bordeaux" said Monsieur Tasset.
after her extraordinary mission was
over she succumbed, as we all knew
she must-being a young and deli
cate girl-to very dangerous brain
fever. We did all we could for her.
Neither Monsieur lie Cure, nor my
self, left Bordeaux until everything
was arranged in the most satisfactory
manner. Mademoiselle Rigaud was
removed to hospital where sep
arate department is assigned to
ladies of good position. She is
nursed there most assiduously by the
good Sisters of the Holy Cross; and
as for her poor, devoted fiance, he
took a room at LIE Lion DOR and is
doubtless still there awaiting her re-
covery. Also his presence was re-
quired by the authorities, who inti-
mated to him that he must not leave
Bordeaux until the legal proceedings
We're over and his evidence had been
given"
Mr.. Irvine was struck by the cpl
thet fiance
II was not aware that my friend
and Mademoiselle Rigaud were aft
anced," he said.
Monsieur Tasset and the Cure both
assured him it was fact, and they
dwelt on the extreme and unselfish
devotion that Arthur had shown
throughout, speaking of him with a
warmth and ADMIRATION which Mr..
Irvine treasured up for Tola's ben
eft.