The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-21
The Cirardet
Estate
By F. A. Mitchell

son, Jules, eight years old Two years
later the father married widow with
one child, daughter. Louise. also
eight years old. Jules, who was in
clined to be wild, was very fond Of his
stepmother, and she alone had any In
huence over him.
About the time Jules came of age
the second Nine. 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
q reckless life and had opposed his fol-
lowing the career Of a soldier. He
wished his boy to remain at home and
learn the business Of taking care Of his
estate, which was large one.
But all his pleadings were In vain.
Jules seemed fitted for turbulent life
and could not be made to settle down
as country gentleman. The boys
only redeeming trait-so bis 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:
"It IL now n month since Jules was
notified Of your mothers death, and
not q word has come from him. Could
a father be treated worse by a sonY'
But, papa. Jules is campaigning.
He may not have received our letters
and II he has may not have had an op-
portunity to answer them. The news
papers report a great deal Of lighting
at the front"
"That may be, my dear girl, but 1t
does not alter the case, 80 far as am
concerned. am an old man. and l
have one son, on whom 1 should be
able to rely. That son has disappoint.
ed me-not one thing l have asked Of
him that he has granted. l am not
well. and shall not live long. must
settle my affairs. You shall be my
sole heir. But a woman Is not fitted
to manage an estate. You must have
q husband, and that husband must be
steady man. with a head for busi-
ness. have such a man In view. /
have entered upon negotiations with
M. Meydieu for his son. Armand"
One would naturally suppose that
Louise, on being told that she would
inherit an estate worth 1000, 900 francs.
would rejoice. But the look on 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 marriage contract between Ar
mand Meydieu and Louise. When 1t
was signed he showed the will to Ar
mand, explaining why he had made It
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 war In Algeria
came to an end. and Jules regiment
was ordered home. At the time the
troops reached the French coast M
Girardet was lying at the point OF
death. Louise. seeing a notice Of the
arrival Of Jules regiment, telegraphed
him that his father was dying and II
he desired to see him alive he mus
come at once.
The next day the old man, his life
ebbing away, saw his son standing
over his bed in a colonel's uniform and
covered with decorations. The younl
man bent down and uttered the words
"FOrgive me. father"
"a notary" gasped the old man, Il
notary! must make another Will"
Too late. Before a notary could b,
summoned the old man died.
After the funeral Louise, to whom
her stepfather had given his will 70
safe keeping. led her stepbrother int,
the library. shut all the doors and tool
the instrument out of desk. A brigh
fire burned on the hearth, and Louis
stood near 1t.
Jules" she said, papa has been un
just to you in trying to make you wha
you are not and trying to keep yo,
from being what you are. BY this pa
per he has deprived you of your right
full inheritance"
ITO whom has he left itr'
She threw the paper into the blaz
and when 1t was consumed replied. "T
= me-"
Jules sprang toward her and caugh
T her In his arms. Not a word was spC
D ken. but each saw In the others 81
n preston what neither had seen befor,
"What papa would have done II b
had lived to do It I have DONE" sal
Louise presently. you are your (,
TIERS sole heir, and no will Is nece
@ sary to insure his estate to you"
h "And as my wife it will all be yours
n Nothing was needed to get rid Of til
marriage contract that had been mad
with Armand Meydieu except to mai
J. II known that no will existed In Lon
N S.~,S $aro .nJ that Co.o,al nt~o~ac< 4.