_The Family Name._

From the French of HENRI MALIN

[Illustration]


I.

One afternoon, Mons. Sauvallier received from his younger son--a
lieutenant in garrison at Versailles--the following letter:

"Versailles, May 25, 1883.

"MY DEAR FATHER,

"A terrible catastrophe has befallen me, one which will be a blow to you
also. I am writing about it, because I dare not face you; I deserve
never to see you again!

"Led astray by a companion, I have been gambling on the Bourse, and am
involved in yesterday's crash, in which so many fortunes have been
suddenly swamped.

"I scarcely dare to tell you how much I have lost. Yet I _must_ do so,
for the honour of the Sauvalliers is concerned. Alas! you will be all
but ruined!