The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-05-06

i WHY AAAO0A NCoCClQq4J ID NY 0tuSA-
ter, and she is but a child. Yet be-.
lieve the strange powers I; but /
apologize. BAIL the garrulity Of old
|, age is astonishing. You should check
me madame.
1t interests me, !" said Aunt Betsy,
Though i cannot say that / UNDER
stand you, Monsieur Rigaud; why,
for instance, you should have let that
poor creature out in Peru want when
you were rolling in riches! 1t passes
me-
Let US distinguish" said Monsieur
Rigaud, suavely. "She knew nothing
Of my wealth. She also belonged to
my second life. She, Of her indiscre-
ton, asked help of my known pow
erty. My refusal would have given
her no surprise. I, 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-
lously. 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,
I very bsnfghted: 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
want to ask? 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. ssN
You must pay my journey" he
| said, bluntly; II cannot afford that.
aYes, yes, and your moderate ex-
/ penses at an inn for the night. That
is understood The boat leaves at IL
tonight. Come" he said. changing
his tone, eve have to cross to Water
loo station. Carry your box, my dear
young man, and give me your arm.
This time Monsieur Rigaud took
f1rst-class tickets. The company one
meets is perhaps safer, +" he said, hur-
rying into the compartment. See,
have taken both single, you can re
turn third. It is safe for you, and
you doubtless prefer it. Put the box
under my feet, so. The night is fine,
thank Heaven; I shall have 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, 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. II return to Peru within a
fortnight. / shall be glad to be at
home again.
"Bah! said the voice outside. "A
Frenchman is never at home OF the
pave at Paris"
The train began to move, the tray-
eler waved his hand
Au revoir! he exclaimed.
Arthur. leaning back sleepily in
the corner Of the carriage. lazi1y
thought what plump looking hand
the old. gray haired man had. Their
fellow traveller took out novel, tried
| to read it by the imperfect light OF
the compartment, then, with an Inn
| 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
of Peru. Is It not so?v
YES said Arthur. >sieepily. @He
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. ajust
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!
If not imprudent. might venture a
question or two, if you will begin"
Monsieur said Arthur, taking
off his hat and addressing their fell
low traveller in French, "may VEN
ture to ask if you are from PERU"