The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

| ly dressed in the height of fashion and
with a rather supercilious but aristocratic
bearing, whom he introduced as his
nephew, NJ. Charles Grandet of Paris
Eugenie's heart gave little jump. Here
was the youth of whom she had dreamed
her cousin Charles, And he was more
than all her fancy had painted him. How
he outshone the two provincial beaux, De
Bonfons and Adolphe des Grassins!
Charles had come down into the country
prepared for conquest His father had
sent him, he did not know why, to visit
this misery old uncle, and he had deter
mined TO make the best of it and take the
opportunity to dazzle the country folk
So he had brought along the most splen-
did clothes in his wardrobe and was pre-
sented to the assembled company arrayed
like Solomon in all his glory.
The advent of this young man was but
lily received by the Des Grassins and the
Cruchots. and in the presence of so great
a common danger they made common
cause against him. They looked him over
with affected disdain and tried to be
mighty sarcastic, not even the danger of
offending old Grandet being sufficient to
| make them fully control their tempers
But Charles took everything with an easy
nonchalance, seemed not to be aware of
their agitation and tHeated them with an
easy condescension, which had just
enough of patronizing insolence in 1t to
make them more furious
Old Grandet took one of the candles
and, retiring little to one side, opened
and read letter which Charles had
handed him upon his arrival. 1t was from
his father, Charles had said, as his uncle
would see upon breaking the seal, and
though he did not know its contents, his
father had told him 1t would declare the
cause of his unexpected visit. Old Gran
det read the letter through in silence, and
when he had finished glanced up from it
to his nephew, his face looking drawn and
haggard. with q. scared look upon 1t in the
light of the Pickering candle. His air was
almost humble as he turned to Charles
and asked him If he had warmed himself
after his ride. The young man assured
his uncle that he was now thoroughly
warmed and the miser asked his wife
sharply If the young mans room was all
ready for him.
The company at this hint took their de-
parture, and, madame going to see that
Charles chamber had been properly pre-
pared. the uncle and nephew were left
alone together. Grandet looked at the
Paris dandy in silence for a moment and
then said: I'VE will talk of the contents
Of the letter tomorrow. 1t is too late to
talk tonight. We so to bed early here.
We breakfast at 8. We shall md some
suitable time tomorrow to talk over some
serious matters. Meanwhile, good night"
Gracefully saluting his aunt who had
now returned. and bidding courtly good
night to his uncle. Charles sought his
room to dream of conquests and of the
way in which he would make the country
beaux green with envy by his city clothes.
Old Grandet had a rather troubled sleep
that night. The contents of the letter had
been Of the most startling sort. In 1t his
brother had stated that he had failed in
business and was penniless; that by the
time the letter came to the hands of the
person to whom 1t was addressed he
would have blown his brains out, being
unable to survive the disgrace of his
financial ruin. He commended Charles to
the care of his nearest relative and
begged that Grandet would treat him as
son and provide for his future, Grandet
knew that his brother was a man of his
word and that by this time he was cold
in death-a suicide and pauper.
Next morning Charles did not appear
at the breakfast table and Nanon report
ed that she had gone to awake him, but
found him sleeping soundly. LET him
Sleep" replied Grandet.. What he will
learn when he awakens will not please
him. His father has committed suicide"
my poor uncer' exclaimed Eugene,
while her mother cried out Poor
Charles" Grandet expressed no feeling
of pity or sympathy, but said that the
young man would have to make his own
living now. He was utterly destitute and
must go to work at once. Eugenie began
weeping bitterly and her father said
gruffly: III you are crying over that
young dandy, save yourself the trouble.
You will never see him after a few days,
for I am going to send him of to the
West Indies as soon as possible. And
you, Nine Grandet, will also spare your
self the trouble of sympathizing with my
penniless nephew, Also you will not say
a word to him concerning what has hap
pened ! will do the talking" Taking