The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-05-02
Written for the woRKISsnAN's ADVOCATE.
UNDER A SPELL!
CLOSE PlkYF0R A FORTUNE!
BY WELDON J. COBB, JR.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
THE TREACHERY OF BURDOIs.
BY WELDON J. COBB, JR.

Fair winds and placid skies rendered
the voyage Of the fast-sailing vessel which
bore MIR. Markham and his daughter
Claribel across the Atlantic a most pleas
ant and speedy one There were several
other passengers on board, and these ap
preciating the quiet dignity Of Mr.. Mark
ham, and won by the charming grace of
the guileless C!aribel, contributed much to
their comfort and happiness by various
little acts Of kindness and courtesy. Two
months after the events narrated in the
last chapter, the father and daughter landed
in England, the greater and more tedious
part of their voyage being past.
1t was the first day after their arrival in
Paris, that Mr.. Markham was seated gaz-
ing out from his window upon the passers-
by. Sorrow and sad meditation had left
their traces upon his noble features, and
he sat glOomily speculating upon the
probable results of their meeting with
Clarence Thurston, and an encounter with
his son, when low knock at the door re-
sounded through the room and aroused
Mr.. Markham from his painful reverie.
Ii was only The scryant, but he bore a card
in his hand which he handed to the
Colonel Mr.. Markham started, for it
-6t5s.e the name Of Bernard Burdois."
SHOW INN ID, he said briefly, and
then resumed his oricsnSi p sition q par
tial repose, gazing out upon the street, the
lines about his mouth growing sterner and
harder.
"Ah Mr. Markham, mon pere am
delighted to see you after 30 long a separa-
tion," exclaimed Burdois as he entered
the room.
Mr.. Markham responded by polite yet
frIgid inclination of the head.
You scarcely expected me, pursued
Burdois, seeking time in idle conversation
to Judge of the state Of his hosts mind.
81 have, however, kept close track of you,
and followed you, step by step, since you
left America. A stranger to travelling in
Europe is likely to be imposed upon, and,
as ] understand a variety of languages
fully as much as the ways of the country,
] determined to join you at Paris, 80 here
| am.
Colonel Markham looked earnestly at his
visitor, who bore the scrutiny without
hinching
''Mr. BurdOis," he said, quietly, you
know that | cannot readily overcome an
impression rendered disagreeable by the
unpleasant circumstances connected with
it. am not given to deception, therefore,
| say that had my choice, l should have
preferred to travel alone. As it V, and as
cannot doubt your sincerity and friend
ship in Offering your services, l accept
them as kindly Overtures toward q better
understanding between US. Prove that
you are a man, in mind and deed, that you
nj nd in
you have taken, and / may yet learn If
not to love you as a son, at least to respect
and admire you as q friend.
Burdois caught his hosts hand.
Thank you, thank you !" he said, with
assumed fervor, which completely deceived
Mr. Markham, You have entered upon
the subject | desired and yet feared to re-
fer to when | came here to-day. had
fully considered how you must feel, with
a son thrust upon you 30 rudely as was
at our first interview. have learned to
respect you since then, sir, and 1T this
moment | offer, from the depths of my
heart, to never again present myself before
you, If you but say the word. 1t would
be hard task to renounce you and my
fair half-sister, and bitterly sad to go back
to the world nameless waif. Yet / would
do this for you; for l would rather have
the consciousness that you regarded me
with friendship and esteem, away from
you, than TO be with you and awaken
nothing but bitter memories in your
heart.
1t was q bold venture that Burdo:s had
made, but he had not calculated amiss.
Thank you," replied Mr.. Markham
with emotion in his voice, 81 pledge you
that you shall hold a. high q place in my
friendship a. / can cOnscientiOusly bestow
and will dismiss the suspicion and dislik'
which your frAnkness and self-sacri6c'
have entirely banished."
Gas to Miss Markham" said Burdois
81 concur more heartily than ever in you
idea Uf keeping from her all knowledge o
my trae relation to her. We can discus
this more fully hereafter should my pres
ence prove an annoyance to either of you
. word will cause me to depart"
Mr.. Markham nodded negatively, and
at this moment, his daughter entering tn
room the conversation was ended for the
time being.
The journey to Rome Mr.. MARKHAM
had resolved to make by the continent
Burdois understanding the rOad o
thoroughly, and the customs and lAnguag
Of the inhabitants Of the various portiol
Of the country through which they wen
to pass, proved valuable accession 3
their company.
Tedious and devoid Of interest 90 wa
the journey, We shall refrain from givin