The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-10-15
The Girardet
Estate
By F. A.

Albert Girardet was left ten years
after his marriage with n child, a
son. Jules, eight years old. Two years
later the father married a widow with
one child, a daughter, Louise. also
eight years old. Jules, who was in
clined to be wild, was very fond OF Ills
stepmother, and she alone had any In
fluence over him.
About the time Jules came of age
the second Mime. Girardet died. Jules.
who had entered the army, was at the
time fighting with his regiment in Al
geria and, of course. could not come
home. His father was much embit-
tered, needing his son in this second
bereavement. especially since he was
getting old and desired a younger man
on whom to lean. He had been much
troubled by his sons disposition to lead
a reckless life and had opposed his fol-
lowing the career Of u soldier. He
wished his boy to remain at home and
learn the business Of taking care of his
estate. which was a large one.
Out I'LL Ills plcGuluSS NCAC LA "a
Jules seemed fitted for a turbulent life
and could not be made to settle down
as q country gentleman. The boys
only redeemins trait-so his father
considered twas his affection for his
| stepmother, somewhat unusual in step
children, and his unselfishness with re-
/ gard to Louise. His father, in order to
make him subservient to his wishes.
had once threatened to leave all his
property to Louise. Jules told him that
he could not do anything that would
| please him better.
Soon after the death of the second
| Nine. Girardet the old man called his
| "stepdaughter into his study and said to
her:
sit is now a month since Jules was
! notified of your mothers death, and
not. a. word has come from him. Could
a father be treated worse by. a son:?'
But. papa. Jules is campaigning:
He may not have received our letters:
and if. he has may not have had an OPP.
p%ortunity to answer them. The news
| papers report Il great deal Of fighting
| ut the front"
''That may be. my dear girl. but it
does not alter the case. so far as 1 am
concerned. am an old man, and l
have one son, on whom l should be
able to rely. That son has disappoint-
| ed me-not one thing l have asked of
him that he has granted. I am not
we'll. and l shall not live long. l must
settle my. affairs. You shall be my
sole heir. But a woman is not fitted
to manage an estate. You must have
n husband. and that husband must be
Il steady man. with a head for bust
ness. l have such a man in view.
have entered upon negotiations with
NJ. Mcydieu for his Jon, Armand"
One would naturally suppose that
louise. on being told that she would
inherit an estate worth ! 100000 francs.
would rejoice. But the look Oh her
face indicated that she was not at all
favorably impressed with the plan.
| yet realizing that her stepfather was
in no mood to be opposed she accept.
ed the situation. at least temporarily.
NJ. Girardet made his will in her
favor and ignored his son. He also
made q marriage contract between Ar
mand Meydieu and Louise. When it
was signed he showed the will to Ar
mand. explaining why he had made 1t
and that Armand was expected to take
care of the estate. All these matters
having been arranged, the old man
tried to deceive himself that he felt
content. But he did not. He loved his
boy and would have much rather left
his estate in the natural way.
Not long after the making of this
marriage contract the wal in Algeria
came to an end, and Jules regiment
was ordered home. At the time the
troops reached the French coast NJ.
Girardet was lying at the point of
DEATH, Louise. seeing a notice Of the
arrival of Jules regiment, t~elegraphed
him that his father was dying and If
he desired to see him alive he must
come at once. F
The. next day the old man. his life
ebbing away, saw his son. standing
over his bed in a c%olonel's uniform and
covered with decorations. The young
man bent down and uttered the words:
"Forgive me. father"
"a notary" gasped the old man. "a
notary! I must make another will"
Too late. Before a notary could be
summoned the old man died.
After the funeral Louise. to whom
her stepfather had given his will for
safe keeping, led her stepbrother into
the library. shut all the doors and took
the instrument out of a desk. A bright
fire burned on the hearth. and Louise
stood near II.
"Jules." she said. papa has been un-
Just to you in trying to make you what
you are not and trying to keep you
from being what you are. BY this pa
per he has deprived you Of your right
full Inheritance , y.
ITO whom has he left I'll" /.
She threw the paper into the blaze
and when 1t was consumed replied. ITO
me-"
Jules sprang toward her and caught
her in his arms. Not a word was spo-
hou hu% nonh co- ln Tho nkhovs. NV