Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-01-08

"Well," asked Daddy Tabaret, anxiously.
show is shea"
"Worse" answered Noel-"much worse!
She is delirious now. and doesn't know
what she is saying. She loads me with
the most dreadful reproaches, and treats
me as though were a monster not fit TO
approach her. I'm positive she's going
madn'
ITS not to be wondered atr' murmured
the old man. "Poor thing-poor thing!'
Then he added, Il hope you've sent for
doctor"
"l've just done so, and expect his ar
rival each moment"
AS he spoke, he sat down before his
study table, and commenced putting his
letters in order, arranging each according
to its date and in Sc parate packets, with
out discovering the missing one appro-
priAted byDaidy Tabaret. This done,
ne placed them in the secret drawer of
his desk, and, having carefully locked it.
rose, and began pacing the room, as if by
continual movement he thought to calm
the internal fever that seemed bubbling
in his veins.
"Yes, she thought to impose upon me-
to trick me. As if she could succeed with
such proofs as l hold"
"She has probably warned the Count,
and placed him on his guard" said Daddy
Tabaret, still pursuing his detective hob
by.
"Its very likely; but she can't have
succeeded. The Count is away from
home. and won't return till the end of the
week.
GLOW do you know thatF'
"Because l wished to see my father-to
speak to him!''
You"
and why not? Do you think I'rn go
ing to give up the tigh. before it has hardly
commenced! Do you thnk that. robbed,
dospoiled, and betrayed, l will not raise
my voice in protest! What dciicacy ct
sentiment should hold me hack? Why
shouldn't l spcak?'
Corkscrew, trying to soothe him down.
"Its all right--it's only human nature
so you can't be far out SO you call II on
the Count, then!''
"Ycs: after weeks of rresolution-wcelIs
Of mental anguish and torture-I decided
upon seeing my father. Oh, how l suf-
frrrd during that short time! 1 gave up
work, pretending to my clients that | was
i'll. In the day l took walks of twenty to
thirty miles, hoping i'll this way to gain
some rcst in the long, weary nights; bat
III vain! From the time those letters fell
into my hands, have never slept an
hour at a timc.'
Daddy Tabaret was getting restless
From time to time he drew his watch ST.
rretly from his; pocket. and til rettc,l about
in hi. chair. "Lor'. loi'.' he thought
"how these young people do talk, shall
miss the magistrate; he'll be i'll bed 10y
the time l ;rrrt awa;;," And h. suppressed
groan Of impatirnce as he prepared to
listen for "furthrr particulars" on the
part of his excited friend.
AT last, one morning.' continued Noel
"lfter night OF deep thought aud misery,
made up my mind; SEM for a cab. and
was driven to the Counts house."
The old volu1tccy detective gave a sigh
of satisfaction and relief.
At last he WAS coming 10 III" point.
"When | arrived" went on Noel. 81, foot
man, in crimson and gold, o,'nnod the
door. .w,.e, in answer to my demand. i'll
se5:mcd me that the Count Lionel de Val
court was in the country, bat that tlr
Niscount, mis- son. was at home. This
rather upset the programme l had laid
down for myself; but having gonr thus
far, did not feel inclined to rccaIn !
insisted, in default of the father upob
seeing the son. After having been pass ii
on to several other servants, | WAS ")u-
tided to the care of a valet, who begged
me to follow him into the presence of his
MASTER"
"At last" murmurcd Old Corksrrcw.
with mr;ther sigh Of relief, and politely
suppressing Il contemplated yawn.
IL was now conducted" Noel continued
"into small and simply furnished room,
whose only adnrment consisted in old
a,mor and arms Of every kind and sort |
don't think in all my life I've seen such Il
variety. Guns, pistols, swords, daggrrs,
and foils Of all shapes and qualities were
scattered about-in short. should have
thought myself in the arsenal of q fencing
master"
The arm that had been used by the as
sassin Of the Widow Lelougc flashed
across the memory of the old detective
1.-The Viscount,' said Noel, "was half
seated, or rather half lying, on the sofa.
He's a good-looking fellow, with dignitied
yet easy manners, and carries we'll the
name which by right belongs TO me- He's
about my height. with brown hair and
eyes like myself, and there's a strong re-
scmblance between us-stYergcr, perhaps
if he didn't Wear a beard and moustachn
He looks much younger than do, by the
way, and that's not to be wondered at.
I've worked, suffered, and struggled, d,whil-t
he has had nothing to debut eat, drink
and sleep"
"Iou must have felt horribly nervous
and queer" put in Daddy Tabaret.
Not the least in the world. 1 felt less
than do now. Ten days of mental an
guish and sleepless nights prepare fel-
low for the worst. The moment | entered
broke the ice at once. Sir | said, .lm
il perfect stranger to you; but my per-
sonality is Il mere trie compared with the
Importance of the mission with which
am charged.'"
"He rose at once, and placing the cigar
cite he was smoking on the mantlcpiecr,
stood leaning against lis marble shelf
"'The mission hav" come upon is sad
and serious, and one that deeply concerns
tine honor of the name yo'. bear
"Ha seemed hA.lly to understand me-
and with l to"e # h,ugii!y imprr,inence.
asked lnr III h ,uct: shnulI be lon.
"'Yes.' r,rl- Shorl,.'
Daddy T;.bNrri hy"l become very atten.
tive.
"Don't omit the sli- h,2t detail" he said.
"It's most important sou shoul,t put me in
t@u possession Of the facts"
.rhe Viscount appeared awfully an
noyed," continued Noel. I'm sorry you're
going to be long he objected. 'rhe fact
is, my time is not my own. I'm engaged
to be married to a young lady Made
moiselle d'Arlange, a fact which believe
has already been ICED. and am ex-
pected to lunch in half an hour from this.
Can't you postpone our interview"
"Hilloh!' said Old Corkscrew to himself;