The evening world. Newspaper, December 31, 1904, Page 7

THE LOTTERY TICKET. papers.” stammered M. Planceet, with the air of one suddenly awakened from 2 ervam, “Were you acquainted with the geatieman?”* “Not at all, pul George. bere, knew aim well.” The friend of the family looked searchingty at George. “What the deuce is the matters with you to.tay exctatmed Albert “You fem to be amazed at everything, Is there anything so very extraordinary in the fact that wee should know the genmtieman in question? His friend Puy- | mirol was alse acquainted with him, amd so was the lady who dined with me yesterday.” “ George looked up in surprise, Sut her next words dumfounded him. | _ “You-have met M. Jacaues Khas ai our houweT Me was my taawers busi | Mess partner and succeeded him. life has proposed to my mother, who has ac- cepted him:." “May I offer congratulations ” “No. I mention tt as a prelude to what I wish to say to you” “f am entirely at your cervice, mademoteolle.” murmured George, more and more satontehest. “I wara you that I am going to ask you a very strange question.” Cabrielle condinugd, with a tant «milie You have been paying me considerable aiceation “The gentleman seems to hive ken very wilely known,” remarked Plancoet, of Inte. ldo you lowe met with real or avsumed indifference fact that well- “You spoke of Puymirel just now,” said George, turning to the lieutemant. This questwa was indeed unexpecte? the more so from the bred young ladies ugually walt for it te be put te tt Mile. Verden was certainiy reversing the usual “To tell the truth, I am very uneasy about him.” “Ami why. pray?” j We lve in the same house.” | of things, sul, George Was not too much startle! to anewer promptly “Recause he cif net return home last night, “Love vou, mater “tel yes, with rey whele soul I have not vet dared to “And you ure sure tcat sour friend is not at home? amd the »melerge has net seen him since yester- “He was not an hour a €ay morn im The dinner was at an end anf all three ros-. tell you se, but” “No protestations ars Tam gwing to put you In a position to I beliewe wou prove the truth of your worits« lh}e wou wieh te marry mer . | . ay “Row my most ardent fasir The two young men exchanged a cordiel pressure of the hand M. Plancoet | rs “ag “Tt depends entirely wpen youreett i ented himself with bowing to Gabrielk’s @uture busband, The salute was B “If I could hope that your mother would «rant me your hand™ ! m very pleasantly 4 defemntially t George dared not offer him is “She will, if you as& ber for tt ow, that in ts say, within a few days. La- hand. He somehow fancies? that M. Planceoe: # ed in si to heid himself a - ot es ter. she will, perhbans, refuse you ™ little aloof, and that there was « siight cleud be m him and that worthy man : tenet to the Rue de Medicis. On arriving They separated. ard ree there, he learned with no little « of life, Some serious 208° hundred times more grave than Geo CHAPTER Ill. The Grand Prize. Py meiret, still partially stunned by his fall, George could net umlerstand the meaning of all this, as his bewildered micn shewe! plunly enoucth “The situation, in Wishes to marry ste is net at all anxious to ke her way. for he goes about m garrisen to garrison, when Pe field. and she sees him bul seldom; t I cannot teave her s) long’as I re single. so ahe ix ia a hurry to “t me married off She is lowking for a husband for me, and if you de net urge your claims, the first comer wi'l have as good a chance of succeas as yourself." } “And even better, for she will have no difficulty in securing a much more eligible parti, for I have neither money nor prospects.” } “TI have money enough for beth, and your future depends upon your tntelli- } gence and industry My mother knows this perfectly well; she also knows that | I ke you. And no better proof of her willingness to accept you as a son-in-law | | | | nation that Puymirol had given no sign | <n evenness eesti anes etvemisiienesenanonanesunmnes tues? | coatinuel Gabriclle “My mother Her children are in ber way. ard them with her My br» is simply thts, : “a dent must ~wttairty have happened to him. In fact, it wasa posed cuir have teld yo her ia not so much in is not in FYER his miduigtt misha;, gtowiy and gloemity retraced his stepe He went to his cit, lost most of his money at cards, and fell asieep im an armehair, He awoke at daybreak, an@ on the wuy home | was Met by a new 2 the tiet of winning tickets in the recent drawing of the Grand Lottery. The newsboy looke’ hungry. so Puy- m.rol bought a copy of the list. He glan ced idly over it as he walked. Suddenly he stopped shore as he read. in large fetters, the number that had won the capital bry ? is needed, than the fact that she has made inquiries in regard to you. She has 7 recetved information from your native province that your family is highly res- “I know I am sorry to censure my mother’s conduct in your presence, and to | et threw myseif in your arms, as it were. Pat what else could you expect? I never Ee could Gieguise my feclings, and I always speak straight to the point. I thought you toved me well enough to do me justice. 'f I am mistaken. I must bear the penalty of my imprudence; but you at least cannot accuse me of dissimulation.” dozen in all He unfolde!t the first ticket; that which was wrapped arecend the others, and coukl scareely beliewe his eyes when he saw the mumber—the winning number— He read and ceread it, examined i¢ again and again, | i i = ~ ble. oO rave yo s estat »me pits $ | ’ r u t 2 . “Number 15,815'" be murmuret “That is to say, there is now in Paris, or in er - ® would not do for both mother and daughter to marry within a few days of the provinces, a fortunate mortil whe paid twenty francs for a scrap of paper @ach other. She dreads ridicule, amd she ix quite right, for all our acquaintances which he can new exchange for 10.000 francs tn bank noies. The chances are would Ianugh at her [f I should become your wife she would trouble herself no that this money will co to one that Joes not need it, or to a simpleton who will further about me. She would leave “arts. and travel awhile Her aManced nat know what use to make of it, while, é¢ I shout’ come into possession of this would subsequentiy join her, and they would be married, probably in Switzerland money, I should be worth my millions five or six vears from now.” or Italy. She wishes to leave next month, and * does not want to take me Puymirol crumpled the list spetefulty in his hand. and was about to throw it with her. The only refuge left for me would be a convent, for I cannot follow away, when a new idea snddenly flashed through his brain. 3 Albert's regiment about. and he is my only relative.” “Why. I still have those tickete I found in the wallet.” he said to himself. | George was so overwhelmed by these disclosures, that he did not know what “Yesterday when I was chasing that rasced € took the precaution to remove them | | to reply. and Mile, Verdon decided that he lacked ardor from the wallet and put them in my waistcact pocket. What if. by some miracle 1] a “I see that you are shocked to hear me talk In this strain.” she said. sadly. I showld find the winning number among them! Let me see.” | | He drew out the iittie bundle of crumpled Uckets. There were atout two } | | ' printed in the oentre of it with that on the list in his other hand; then a “On the contrary, mademotselle, I thank you most si ely for divining senti- and compared it. figure by Neure = ments to which I dared not give utterance, and I «ntreat you not to take my si- suddenly ceased to beliewe that the age of miracles was paased lence for any sian of coldness or hesitation. aly joy overcame me. I was so Lit- He certaimly bad in his posessiom No. 115.516, the winner of the highest prize, He had nineteen francs in bis pocket, nothing im his desk, and one hundred thou- sand franca between his fugers. The sheck was so great and so unexpected that this Gascon, proof as be had ilways compideread himself acainst emotion, was obliged to lean ascuinst t newspaper stand for suppore Hie brain reeled. fut suddenip a thought occurred to him that marred his joy. « tle prepared fer the happiness you have announced to me.” “It is not my fault that I did not explain the situation sooner. seen you for severn] days. [ut we can make up for lost time now if you are sin- 4 cera, which I do not doubt, for I never told a falschoo4 in my life. and | judzg- I have not ~~ thase I love by myseif. Do you authorize me to inform. ™my mother that you in- ad tend to ask for my hand in marriage—and at an early day?” “Sacre bleu! the Ucket is not mine!” he muttered. “It belonged to DargentaL “To-morrow. if I have your comsent. mademouiselic.” Im fact, t is the only plece of property he left for his heirs, if he has any. I have _— “Thank you.” replicd the girl, earnestly. “I can never do enough to grove my. fo right to appropriate it. It would be nothing more or iess than a theft.“ . < love and gratitude.” Puymiro?s face lengthered, but he quickly recovered himseff. That same day Georre made formal request for Gabriele Verdon’s hand and “A theft. no. I did not steal it; I found it. or rather it was thrown to me, was accepted, her mother wi'lingly giving her consent. He was also introduced which amounts to the same thing as giving it to me.” br’ to Gabrieiie’s brother Albert. whom he Invited te dine with him that night This sophistry did not deceive him. He had invented it to quiet his conscience, * As he and young Verdon sat at table the latter began to rave of Blanche Lut he felt all the emptiness of it. He thoug ttt of consulting George Caumont, but he felt a presentiment that George would advise him to give up the ticket. and he had no desire for advice which be did not intend to follow, for his mind was al- ready busy In planning the means te execute his echeme Where and how would Pornic’s beauty * m “I advise you to have nothing more to do with Blanche Pornic. She is a very attractive woman. but there are plenty of others equally charming; besides, George interrupted ‘ 73 E ; there are circumstances that remier any intimacy with her undesirable, and | this ticket be redeemed’ Would it only be necessary to show this triumphant No. as even dangerous just now. The tragical death of her old lover has created a good One of these questions was answered on the back of the ticket. He read there @eal of talk, and the authorities heve beceun an investigation. I know that Blanche has been questioned. She may be again, aad if she should attempt to rc profit by your name or ber acquaintance with you” — - “That is not at all likely. But, pardon me, I see a worthy man whose ac- quaintance | wish you to make. Goch Piancoet, my poor father’s foster-brother.* “Mme Verdon has spoken of him to me.” that the office of the Lottery of the Society of Decorative Arts was in the Palais de l'industrie. in tre Champs Elysees, Door No. & He hastened to the Pala of Industry and presented himself at door 4 Two men were talking to the attendant at the entrance. On learning his errand they accompanied him upstairs to the lottery offloe, where one of them whispered something to the official in charge there. of “Then you know that he is the best friend we have in the world. He has : Seam Geveted to my sister and eaguelf from cur carilest infancy. He might have The clerk then turne! to Puymirol, and Inquired what he wanted. Puymtrol 4 a made a fortune in my father’s old business—he was in a fair way to do it—bat very nmacucaliy replied that he had come te cash a winning ticket, and the «lerk, a, > he is living in Paris on an income of 6.00 francs a year, because he could not without an word, pushed open one of the folding-doors leading Into the office — exist without seeing Gabrielle. He is no admirer of M. Rochas, though. Look eraian, evaveine) were Sees Se ae alana en otc: ed - at him as he comes towWSrd us Are not geodness and honesty writtea upon his piet a aes lags ara ae pepe oemiatenaailama ad on. ra face. He has only one fault; that ts his blind devotion to us.”* ef a corporation, the other had just taken his seat at the end of the same table, “eed The promenader looked up, recognized Albert, and hastened toward him. ne ieee ene See ee eS eee re em al *Tle secretary, probably,” thought Puymirol. “I am going to addrass my “How are you, old fellow?” asked the young lieutenant, slappl og him = miliarly on the shoulder. “You must take a giass of beer with us. “aut aon Ss Do you see this gentioman? Well, he is Gabricile’s intended husband."* M. Plancoet did not seem to be very much surprised by this abrupt announce- remarks to the head of the concern. He is a handsome man, and seems more affable than his subordinate. Why do they look at me with so much curiosity? They cannot yet know that I have won the great prize?’ “To whom have I the honor of speaking?” inquired the President. , ment, but he looked searchingly at George, who returned the scrutiny with tn- terest. This faithful friend of the Verdon family was not ay man you means, nor was he old. He seemed te be about fifty years of “on ard ved se atill strong and vigorous. His eye was keen and intelligent. His face was full “I am the holder of ticket No. 115.815, which ts mentioned as the winner of the prize of 100,000 franca in your last drawing.” The official examined the ticket closely, first upon one side. and then upon the other, and finally passed it to the gentleman seated at the other end of the Pe . of the patient sweetness of a man accustomed to sacrifice himself for others. In table. short. his appesrance was decidedly prepossessi 2a z oilatniaines Sithdiniag en ati sa yoo ns. and George instantly con- “Excuse this close examination,” he remarked to Puymirol “It not unfre- puteee mechan. quently happens that spurious tickets are presented to us; that is to say, tickets “I trust, sir,” he said almost affectionately, “that Mile. Verdon’s marriage will not alienate you from her. You will always be most weicome in my wife's house.” “I thank you for this assurance,” M. Plancoet replied, euletly but earnestly, whose numbers have been altered.” “That is not the case with mine, I suppose.” - “No, sir. It is a little soiled, but i has been subjected to no erasures." - = ak: “though I must admit that | was not unprepared for it. Gabriclle has so > often I can draw the amount?” @poken of you, and always in such high terms, that I counted rT “Then red your hospitality as you can count upon my devotion.” as implicitly upon “There are —— Seemalition which must first be observed. Will you give , “M. Caumont does not doubt that, my dear Roch,” inte a ee me your name and address? have told him all about you. But I have another cm —— Ps a 1 “My name ts Adhemar de Puymirol I am a medical student, and I reside . that is much less agreeable in its pature.”* one at No. M4 Rue de Medicis. “How old are you?” “Your mother's intended marriage,” sata ae Pinscoct. sediy. “What difference can my age possibly make? I have attained my majority, as “It ts not neces- .* rn gary, my boy. She announced it to me this morning.” . “I see that ic is Impossible to tell you anything.” you see, and that ee is necessary to make my receipt perfectly valid.” an : “You doubtless found it very dull while in garrison; but you seem to be = ramets - tne: up for it since your arrival in Paris. Your sister tookea for ~— — “What aaa is that of yours?” replied Adhemer, exasperated by these nf the morning, and is furiously angry with you in consequence.” sg ener ia anne, ear #2) “We are reconciled, ‘Hesides, though I dined at the Lion 4@°Or yasterda: oa = . . : shal dine at home, en famille, this evening.” ¥ 2 Pr Yes, nenterceeeubdiameatd seggan Dinca the money due me. I do not intend to ; — Lien @Or repeated M. Plancoet. “You dined at the Lion a’Or yes. ~ “Yeu, old fellow. What is there so very astonishing about that?” I merely thought*— “You may rest assured that, if I question you, I have an undoubted right to ao it.” “Indeed!” sneered Puymirol. “Who are you, pray?’ . “Oh, nothirs: : 114,815 at the office of the lottery to convert it Into bank netes? “I am a commissioner of police.’ x Pie gone — = ues savisieacmaec! — place is no reason why I should Puymirol turned pale. He realized at last that he had hurled himself bindly — not go t os o 7 . vei nm brother-in-law, patronizes it quite often, into a frightful abyss and that his imprudence was going to cost him dear. He 3 I —— She i © probably goes alone, while I was in company with a very was resolved to defend himself boldly until the last, however. . pret ° . “You are speaking to a magistrate, remember,” continued the offic’ -, “I don’t patronize it very often,” answered George. “‘In fact, I have t i . —_ i Sted it since the day I breakfnsted there with my friend Puymirol.” not vis- oo of prevuricating tell me where and of whom you =~ “And it was the very day of Monsieur Dargental’s death. Blanche could talk “In a cigar shop, probably.” = of nothing else. You may have heard of the gentleman's assassination, Plan- “What cigar shop.” : he coer . “Tne deuce take me if I can remember. I purchased about thi ‘kets, ; “No—that is to say, Yes. It seems to me I did see somethi about . ae | Ba ng it In the and in a dozen different places. They are here on the table” se oa” a a * = ‘ al = — = . - Pd - , oe 7 = —_— oo a | —— a, SS a | a) a eee. ee a a5 ee