Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-03-18
CHAPTER XLIII.
FLYING FROM JUSTICE.

promised TO move heaven and earth TO
obtain the release of Albert; and he real
ly and truly had visited several members
Of the bar; but had placed the case in
such a peculiar point Of view, that they
one and all refused him their aid
At four o'clock he called at the Count
de Valcourt's house, to apprise his father
Of his non-success.
"The Count is out said the valet; "but
if you wouldn't mind waiting. monsieur,
he will return very shortly"
"Ill wait" said the barrister.
'The Count expected, monsieur, said
the valet, bowling respectfully, land gave
orders that if you called, you were TO be
shown into the study"
Noel's heart swelled with pride. For
the future, he was master in this magniti-
cent house-the heir to all the lands of
the ancient family whose name he bore!
As he looked around with a glance Of
pride, his eye fell upon the genealogical
tree that, surrounded by a magnificent
frame, hung over the chimney piece. He
advanced, and studied it. and saw the
names Of the greatest families in France,
allied with that Of the de Valcourts. Two
Of them had espoused the younger
daughters Of kings; and as he read, the
heart Of the barrister beat high with
pride, whilst he murmured to himself,
.And II am now Viscount de Valcourtw
As he spoke the words, the door be-
hind him was thrust open, and the old
Count entered. closing it quickly behind
him.
Noel was advancing towards nm With
outstretehed hands; but recoiled at the
look Of rage and scorn that flashed from
his fathers eyes.
That look made him shudder from head
to foot. 1t was rs much as he could do to
stand upright lie knew that he was
lost.
"Oh, you villainl" cried the old man,
shaking his clenched fist at him; and
then, as if afraid OF his own anger, throw
ing his stick to the other end Of the room.
ri can't strike him." he muImured-"I
can't strike him! He isn't worthy of the
rage Of Il man like me"
Then there was silence-a silence so
intense that the ticking Of the tiny ormo-
lu clock on the chimney piece sounded
like death-watch in the room.
In those few moments "oceans Of MEM
ory" seemed to roll over their souls, and
for the time being to annihilate all
thought.
The young man was the first to speak.
"Fathcr-" he commenced.
"Silence" said the Count, in hollow
voice. "Don't speak! l can't bear to hear
your voice. know that you are my son,
and know that you have broken poor
Valerie's heart" Here the old man ad-
vanced towards him, and, looking him full
in the eyes. cried out. "Parricide! You have
killed your motherf"
Step by step. Noel had recoiled to the
other end of the room, and now leant
against the wall, with pale face and
haggard eyes, trembling from head to
. foot.
II know everything!" pursued the
Count. "And what il worse still, am not
alone in my knowledge! At this very mo-
ment a summons has been issued for your
arrest"
A cry. half Of rage, half of despair.
broke from the barrister's lips.
Thunderstruck at the very moment of
expected triumph. he gathered himself to-
fight out the fight to it's bitter end
The Count de Valcourt, without appear,
ing to be conscious Of the presence of
Noel, went to his study table and opened
a drawer.
"Sit down." he said sternly, "and write
the confession of your crime! You will
afterwards find n pistol in this drawer
that have just opened, and may heaven
have mercy upon your soul"
The old gentlemen made movement,
as to leave; but Noel stopped him by
gesture, taking a revolver from his pocket
as he did SO,
"You see, require no aid of this sort"
he said. any precautions, as you will
perceive. are already taken. promise
you shall never be taken alive-only, 1
make this provso.'
"Oh, there's a proviso, is there" interro-
gated the Count sternly.
"fes," answered the barrister, in ac-
cents as cold and stern as the question.
II am young and you are old. The fact
is, life is pleasant to me. and, TO sum it all
ny in few words, Il don't want to die!"
"Whst" cried the old Count. recoiling.
and in tone of disgust. "iou don't
mean to say you are Il coward9"
"No, monsieur, I'm not coward; but
am perfectly assured that every loophols
rs closed to me, and that escape is impos-
sible."
His father rushed towards his study
table to the drawer that contained the
loaded pistol, but, foreseeing the move
ment, Noel closed it with back ward
movement of his hand, and placed him
self before it.
"Listen to me-" said the barrister, in
those hoaIse, short tones that are only
used when We feel ourselves in imminent
danger-"lsten to me! Don't let us waste,
in vain and idle reproarhes. the few min
utes Of explanation that are left me. As
have said before. the idea of death is Q
horror to me. Give me the means speak
of in pccuniary point of view, and
swear to you l will escape; and, if fail,
l swear to you as solemnly that will not
be taken alive"
For a moment-but q moment only
the old nobleman stood undecided. The
Thought of the scandal and the shame, in
which he had been - participator, weigh
ed too heavily in the balance. He was
frightened at the very idea of publicity,
and if his whole fortune had been at his
feet at the moment, he would have given
1t to the unfortunate man before him.
Luckily, on the Saturday he had drawn
from his bankers Il large sum OF money,
destined for the furnishing of the house
Of bis newly-found Son.
Without speaking q word. the Count
opened little iron safe fixed in the wall
and, taking from it bundle Of bank.
notes, threw them at Noel's feet; then,
falling upon his knees beside tho sofa, he
buried his gray head in the cushions, and
burst into u violent tit Of sobbing. When
he looked up again. the room was empty:
Noel was gone.
An hour later, the servants found their
Il