The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-03-17
of suspicion III -. g..

great name | bear. received it from
my ancestors without stain. NAV
you hand it Gown TO your children
equally spotless! Your first impulse
was WORTHY one, generous and no.
BILE; but YOU must forget it. Think of
the scandal, if our secret should be
disclosed to the publis gaze Can you
not forEsee the Joy of our enemies, OF
that herd of upstairs which surrounds
us? | shuGder at the thoul ut of the
oGium and the ridicule which would
cling to our name. Too MAN. families
already have stains upon their escut-
cheons; | will nave none on mine
M. de Commavin remained silent for
several minutes, during which Albert
did not dare say a word. so much had
respect tie least wish of the terrible
old gent! 2man.
There is no possible way out OF it,
continued the count. Can ] discard
you Tomorrow. and present this Noel
as my son, saying, Excuse me, but
there has been a slight ,ois AXE: this
one is the viscount?' And then the
tribunals will get hold of it. What
does it matter WHO is named Benoit
Durand or Bernard? But when one
is called COmmarin, even but for a
single day, one must retain that name
through life. The same moral does
not do for everyone; because we have
not the same duties TO perform in
our position, errors are irreparable.
Take cou age, then, and show yourself
worthy of the name you bear The
storm is upon you; raise your head to
meet it,"
Albert's impassibility contributed
not little to Increase M. de Commar-
ISIS irritation. Firm in an unchange-
able resolution. the viscount listened
like one fulfilling duty; and his face
reflected no emotion. The count saw
he was not shake L.
What have you to reply?" he asked
1T seems to me, sir, that you have
no idea Of all the dangers which J
foresee. 1t is difficult to master the re-
volts of conscience"
Indeed" interrupted the count con.
temptuously: YOU conscience revolis
does it? 1t has chosen it's time badly,
Your scruples come too late So long
as you saw that your Inheritance con
sisted OF an illustrious title and do2,
en- or SO of millions, it pleased you,
To-day the name appears to you laden
with heavy fault, a crime. if you
will, ana your conscience revolts. Re-
nounce this folly. Children, sir. are
accountable to their fathers; and they
should obey them. Willing or unwill-
ing, you must be my acconplice; will
ing or unwilling, you must bear the
burden. as l have borne it. And
however much you may su:er, be as
sured your sufferings can never APP
proach what have endured for sc
many years."
"Ah, sir!" cried Albert, "it is then
I. the dispossessor. who have made
this trouble! is 1T not. on The con.
trary, the dispossessed? 1t is not
who you have to convince, it is Nj
Noel Gerdy."
"Noel!' repeated the count
"Your legitimate son, sir. You &C,
as if the issue Of this unhappy affair
depended solely upon my will. DC
you,then, imagine that M. Gerdy viii
be SO easily disposed Of SO easily ST.
fenced? And. if he should raise hi:
voice, do you hope to move him by
the considerations you have just men
tioned?"
81 do not fear him.
"Then you are wrong, sir, permi
me to tell you. Suppose for moment
that this young man has a soul su"
ticently noble to relinguish his claim
upon rank and your fortune. Is there
not now the accumulated rancor o.
years to urge him to oppose you? + {
cannot help feeling a fierce resentmen
for the horrible injustice of which HI
has been the victim. He must pas
sionately long for vengeance, or rath
er reparation."
He has no proofs"
He has your letters. SIR
''They are not decisive, you yourself
have told me so.'
THAT is true, sir; and yet they con
vince me. who have an interest in no
being convinced. Besides, if he need!
witnesses, he will find them.'
"Who? Yourself, viscount?"
yourself, sir. The day when II
wishes it, you will betray us. Sup
pose you were summoned before {
! tribunal, and that there, under oath
YOU should be required to speak IT,;
truth, what answer would you maker
M. de Commarins face darkened Z.
this very natural superstition. He hes
itated, he whose honor was usually 81
great.
Fl would save the name Of my an
cestors,'' he said at last.
Albert. shook his head doubtfully.
AT the price OF lie, my father,
he said. II never will believe it. BIZ
| let us suppose even that. He will thel
| call Madame Gerdy."
Il