The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-11-29

Don't 70.
want to speak to
Have you seen my brother
of later"
Why?"
len you know nothing Of his I'm
ng marriager
bt a word. Who 10 the fortunate
bnt Joke; the matter 10 serious.
nt your advice. and. Heaven
8, probably your help. Some
strange has happened to him.
In the last fortnight ! had no
his haggard looks; AMI. after
tioninig him several times, he
med me that he intended to mar
dademoiselle Germaine E, q
barely eighteen: and he. as you
Is forty-three. He refused to
into any explanations, and cut
questions short with the remark
he was compelled to marry her.
IN. a few days later. I once more
tred to the subject. he went away.
have not seen him since"
am sorry for you." I retorted. but
Der Is not the hrst man who makes
>ol OF himself in that way. He is
much Of age, and probably very
Nh in love. l therefore do not see
RE | can be Of any use to you or
him"
tell you there Ia q mystery about
that scares me. Xavier's eyes
ked haunted; I never saw such an
PRESTON on any ones face. For our
friendships sake. find out what
ht the bottom of 1t ALL"
PMy dear friend" I retorted, there
nothing In what you tell me to
bw that your fears are justified:
]. since you appeal to our old
|endship, ! will see Xavier on the
liter"
had known Xavier for some years.
was good-natured. easy-going.
Imensely rich fellow. who had idled
rough life; he was interested in
rises. but was too lazy and indolent
have a racing stable.
was not long gathering a few in
testing facts. For the last six
'nths, Xavier had ceased to frequent
fayorite club. and he, a great
had deserted the card
bic. But n more alarming symptom
IS that he had taken up spiritualism.
My next step was to learn what |
nld about Germaine E, the girl
yler intended to marry; and this
what I heard:
She was born In Vermont, of French
rents, who had died. leaving her In
arge of poor farmers family. M.
-. her fathers brother. q large
N manufacturer In Toulouse. being
Ildless, wrote to these farmers to
that he and his wife would adopt
orphan: and the money for the
lrney from the United States hav-
been sent. Germaine, then In her
irteenth year. arrived In France.
e girl was wofully ignorant, and un-
nth In her manner. but. being re-
rkably intelligent, soon became
y accomplished.
Despite her brilliant qualities, her
Gle and aunt regretted having
opted her. She showed herself
i'willed and headstrong.
'or three nights / read works on
and when l had crammed
o my head as much as It could con-
identity hold on that subject, l went
search OF Xavier.
1t one time could have found him
hour Of the day; but with all
habits changed. 1t was no easy
tier. and ! dared not call at his
lse for fear OF arousing his sus-
lon. discovered that every
dnesday night he dined at a little
taurant near the Montparnasse
tion. I went there early and took
seat In a quiet corner. It was a
'er place. patronized by gentlemen
the spirit.rapping fraternity.
was getting late. and I was be-
ming to fear I should miss xavier
en- he came In and sat down ut q
10 near me. He gave q quick
nee around the room. but did NOT
ognize me. I noticed q great
nge In him. His careless expires.
had disappeared. and now ana
n he would draw his fingers
ough his hair. an action altogether
to me.
Hello. old chap!" I called out 10
Ie turned around and stared Mt me
surprise.
Hello. Goron. what brings you
e."
Well. to tell you tho truth, am
Q on a rather queer errand. come
me to the cafe at the corner
ire We can talk. Perhaps you can
me some information"
quarter Of an hour later, when
We're seated opposite each other
an: \
What I am going to say to you
It remain between ourselves. 10
understoodf" agqg
Perfectly" M !. ~ ia j
The fact, y I'm IN Q bit OF 2 nxt
the last three months ! have been
'stisating : very dim hciVs So
~. . 1850.