The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1910-06-17
CHAPTER XIII.

Mon Repos! Arthur looked up
eagerly; he thought that never in all
his life had he beheld such a desc
late, miserable looking place as this
new home to which he was about to
consign what he now suddenly felt to
be the greatest treasure of his life.
He could scarcely conceal his dismay;
but it was Antoinette's turn to COM
fort.
II remember 1t! remember 1t
we'll now,' she exclaimed. "It is just
what l recollect, even to the cocks
and hens, and the things hung out to
dry in the courtyard. I shall be able
to improve something, at all events"
she said. .'It is easy to see that the
Door old house has no mistress"
Poor Arthur! He felt as if he
could not consign his precious charge
to this desolate, lonely, unhealthy
looking home. He involuntarily
grasped her hand at the very idea.
She looked up with smile. There
is nothing in the least to alarm me
in all this" she said, brightly. "In
fact, my presentiments have all fled.
Of course, it looks neglected, but l
have no fear of poverty, as you know,
and my father is very poor"
She caught the incredulous look on
Arthurs face, which he could not
quite hide, and the color flushed into
hers. "It is true, in spite of the fact
that you do not believe me-" she
said, a little Indignantly; and, re-
fusing his offered help, she sprang
from the cart to the ground. and
pulled the bell herself.
1t was some minutes before it was
answered, and Mounier got impa-
tient. "Dame!" he exclaimed, "my
bargain did not include the loss of
whole day. See, lend hand, Mon
sieur!" and he unceremoniously lifted
out their boxes on to the road, with
Arthur's assistance, and drove off,
biting the forin which he had put
into his hand, as if doubling the pos
sibility of its genuineness as a gift
from anyone who had any connection
with Mon Repos.
Antoinette would wait no longer.
She rang again and again. The door
opened at last, and the old woman
appeared, her head shaking very
much from excitement. 'Is it posi-
ble?" she exclaimed, shrilly. "Not
'demoiselle already! and the master
never told me! Dame! Why did he
not tell me? Here, Battiste! Quick.
quick! Mademoiselle has come!
Let Monsieur know. Here, Battiste!
One would think he was growing
old" she cried, as her old husband
followed her into the yard.
"Mademoiselle has forgotten old
Nanon," she exclaimed, opening her
arms wide. Can it be otherwise,
after thirteen long years."
II have never forgotten you, dear,
dear Nanon," cried Antoinette,
throwing herself into them and kiss
ing her witnered old cheeks. Il am
so rejoiced to see you again. But
did you not expect us? Where is my
father?"
"We never knew what day or hour
you were coming; but everything is
ready for you, my precious. Old
Nanon has been counting the days till
you came AS for Monsieur, we will
tell him soon, but he is in his own
| room, he must not be disturbed; but
1 will send -Battiste to tell Mademoi-
selle's cousin. He will, indeed, be
rejoiced."
"My cousin?" said Antoinette,
puzzled. 81 did not know l had a
! cousin.
"Perhaps not, Mademoiselle. Mon
sieur himself did not know till he ar
rived He is handsome young gen.
tleman, and has been of great service
to Monsieur"
"But who is he?" repeated Antoin-
cite.
"He is Monsieur Paul, the only son
| Of Mademoiselle Louise; who married
Monsieur Ledue, and who went off
to some terrible far-away place called
Peru. They both died there, and
Monsieur is delighted with his
nephew"
Antionette looked bewildered, as
well she might. Arthur followed he1
into the house. He did not mean to
leave Mon Repos till he had seen
Monsieur Rigaud, and consigned his
charge into her fathers own hands.
q must introduce myself" said q
pleasant voice from behind old Ma.
non, who was leading the way
"Mademoiselle, I have so recently
returned to France that l have never
yet had the honor of claiming you fol
my cousin"
Arthur looked up, expecting An
toinette to answer, but he started
suddenly. She was going straight
forward to meet a figure standing
some steps above her on the dark
! staircase.
There was something odd in hel
! silence, and in the way her hands
were moving slightly UP and down
To be Continued.