The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-01-06
And she Is gone, carrying .,er ST

| low, i'll IA zone of regret.
! "Perhaps.' replied Noel, "iol | have
vet one houe. Claadine bad in her
possession several letters winch mad
! been written to her G long time ago,
some by the count some by Madame
Gerdy, letters 10th imprudent a"d eX-
plicit They will be found, no doubt,
and their evidence win be decisive. ]
have held these letters in my hands,
have read them; Claudine partcn-
larry wished me to keep them, why
did | not do sou
NO there WAS no hoye on that side,
and old Tabaret knew 30 better tran
any one. 1t was these very letters,
no doubt. that the assassin OF La
Jonchere wanted. He had fcund
them, and had burned them Will ne
other papers in the little stove. The
old amateur detective was beginning
to understand.
''All the same,' said he, from what
know Of your affairs, which | think
| know as we'll as my own. it appears
TO NE that the count has not over
well kept the dazzling promises OF
fortune he made Madame Gerdy on
your behalf
He never kept them in the least
degree, my old friend
That now" cried the old fellow,
Indignantly. is even more infamous
than all the rest"
DO not accuse my father ans
wered Noel, gravely; his connection
with Madame Gerdy lasted long
time. | remember a naughty looking
man who used sometimes to come and
see me at school. and who could be
no other than the count But the
rupture came"
Naturally" sneered NJ Taparet. "a
great nGbleman -
'Wail bafore Judging interrupted
the barrister. M. de Commaril had
his reasons. His mistress was false
to him. he learned it. and cast her
Off with just Indignation. The ten
lines which | mentioned to you were
written then"
Noel selected letter more faded
and creased than the others.
In this" said he, in bitter tone,
Madame Gerdy is no longer the
adored Valerie; A friend, cruel as all
'1t.2 friends, has opened my eyes. |
aorhted You have been watched.
and to-day, unhappily, | can doubt no
more, You Valerie, You, TO whom |
have given more than my life, you
deceived me and have been deceiving
me for a long time past. Unhappy
man that l am! ] am no longer Ger
tain that l am the father of 20,
child
But this note is a proof cried
old Tabaret, IAN overwhelming proof
Of what Importance to the count would
be doubt of his paternity, had he
not sacrificed his legitimate son? Yes.
you have said truly, his punishmert
has been severe"
wished to justify herself She wrnte
to the count; but he returned her lAt-
ters unopened She called on him.
but he would not receive her. At length
she grew tired OF her useless attempts
to see him. She knew that all was
well over when the counts steward
brought her for me a legal settlement
Of fifteen thousand francs year The
son had taken my place, and the
mother had ruined me-"
Three or four lights knocks at the
door Of the study interrupted Noel
"Who IS there?" he asked without
stirring.
"Sir,'' answered the servant from
the other side of the door. madam
wishes to speak to you
The barrister appeared to hesitate
Go, my SON. advised NJ. Taberet:
edo not be merciless. only bigots have
that right
Noel arose with visible reluctan
and passed into ..-.. .ne Derry,
sleeping apartment
Poor boy" thought NJ Tabaret,
wien leII alone. what Il fatal dis
covery, and how he must feel it. Such
a noble young man. such brave
heart! All! if l had one Of those let
tiers for four-and- twenty hours! | had
better take one. no matter which,
just to verify the handwriting"
Old Tabaret had just thrust one Of
the letters into his pocket, when the
barrister returned AS he entered the
room nothing in his manner betrayed
what had taken place between Ma
dame Gerdy and himself. He was
absolutely as calm as. when seated III
his armchair. he listened to the in
terminable stories of his clients,
WELL" asked old Tabaret. "how ia
she now?"
Worse" answered Noel. "She is
now delirious. and no longer knows
what she says. She has just assailed
me with the most atrocious abuse, up
braiding me as the vilest of mankind.
really believe she is going out of
her mind"
One might do so with less cause.'
murmured M. Tabaret; land l think
you ought to send for the DOCTOR"