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60 A DREADFUL TEMPTATION.
house of one Fanchette Videlet, a poor widow, almost with-
owt the necessaries of life, it is here begged by the said
widow that all Christian souls will contribute a mite to the
end of securing medical attendance and comforts for the —
poor unknown wayfarer.”
This petition, which was written in excellent French, and
duly signed Fanchette Videlet, had a strange effect upon
Howard Templeton. His face grew pale as death; his eyes
stared at the poor fisherman in perplexed thought, while he
absently plunged his hand into his pocket and drew it out
full of gold pieces.
t
CHAPTER XIX,
‘* HERE, my man, take this,” he said, putting the coins
into the man’s hand.
‘‘ Why, this is too much, sir,” said the honest fisherman,
holding his hand out and looking at the gold in surprise.
‘* You will rob yourself, sir.”
‘No, no; keep it. It is but a trifle,” said Howard, push-
ing his hand back. ‘‘But, pray, will you answer a few
questions for me?”
‘* Ag many as you like, sir—and thank you for your gen-
erosity,” answered the fisherman, politely.
‘‘Tam very much interested in the sad story written
here,” said Howard, glancing at the paper which he still
held in his hand. a
‘Veg, sir, it is very sad,” assented the fisherman.
‘‘How came this unknown sick woman at the Widow
Videlet’s house?” inquired Howard.
‘‘The poor soul came there a few days ago, sir. She
was illand quite out of her head—could give no account .
of herself.”
‘‘Can you tell me what day she came there?”
‘“‘This makes the fourth day since she,came, sir. I re-
member it was the same day you were brought to the
hotel.”
Carroll had disappeared. Lo
Could it be Lora? Had it been some other waif the great
sea had cast up from its deep?
‘““Did you see this woman? Could you describe her to :
me?” asked Howard, eagerly.
‘*T saw her the day she came wandering into Dame Vide-
let’s cottage,” was the answer.
‘*You can tell me how she looked then,” said Howard,
restraining his impatience by a great effort. —
‘Yes, sir. She was a mere girl in appearance—ve
| young and very beautiful, with black eyes and long, blac
The young man started. It was the same day that Lora |