Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-02-12
TINE
Partisan detective
A DESPERATE DEED.
ERSKINE BOYD,
AUTHOR OF .THs SroLKx CHILD" ~DRlvkx
FROM IIoMz," &c, &c.
ERSKINE BOYD,
CHAPTER XVIII.
fHR NHWLY-FOCND Soy.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE sxwLY-FocNp son.
We will now return to tho Count Lionel
de Valcourt and his newly-found son.
From tho time of their departure to the
time of their arrival at the Counts man.
sion, not word had been exchanged be-
tween them.
When the carriage drew up before the
steps, and when the Count descended, aid
ed by Noel, there was . commotion among
the servants.
Since the morning. the great valcourt
scandal had made quite q noise in the
neighborhood. A thousand versions were
circulated, reviewed, corrected, and aug
mented by Envy, Hatred, Malice. and all
Uncharitableness. Some were simply
idiotic, the others absolutely wicked in
their venom.
Twenty or thirty of the Counts friends.
some of them bearing names that dated
back for centuries, were mean enough to
send their servants to make inquiries at
the Counts house.
"Alas for poor Humanityw SAID poor
Old Corkscrew. And on this occasion we
can certainly echo his lament.
At present, the Count is seated in his
library.
The old gentleman has recovered his
calmness. If fact if possible, he is more
"starched" in his manner than ever. He
feels that he has humiliated himself be-
fore the magistrate. He is angry with
himself for his momentary weakness; and,
in consequence, npsets our young friend,
the barrister.
They have had long coversation al
ready, in which Noel has made great
impression upon his father apropos Of his
brother Alberta conversation which We
give verbatim 10 our readers.
ale is my brother, sir, and your son.
For thirty years he has borne the name of
De Valcourt. Innocent OF guilty, he has
the right to look to us for help in his hour
of need; and help him We must"
The old Counts eyes were dim with
tears. He grasped the barrister's hands.
THANK you," he said, "1'm sorry for
the poor boy! Let's do our best for him.
My hearts nearly broken;" and no bent
his gray head on his hands.
"I'll save him, if he's innocent" pur-
sued the barristcr; "and I'm almost
sure he is. I'm not an amateur in my
profession. know the law to my fin
gers ends, and I'll undertake his case
don't care how heavy the charges may
be against him, I'll knock then away,
like thistle-down. Ill kick all doubts
aside Just as l would the SNOW flakes from
my feet; and will flash the light of truth
into the minds Of those who are seated in
Judgment upon him."
"But suppose he confessesi" objected
the Count. what thenl"
"Then, sir" said Noel, with q tragic air.
II would render him the last servic. that
true love can render in such u misfortune.
would give him the means to avoid
death and degradation"
"Wcll spoken, sir" said the old Count
"well spoken, my SOM"
He held out his hand to Noel, who
bent over and pressed it with silent re-
spect.
The bsrrister breathed again. At last
he had found road to the heart of this
naughty old aristocrat. He had made a
conquest. He had succeeded in pleasing
him.
"Let US return to the question of your
SELF" said the Count. 1--WE, of course,
breakfast, dine, and sup together. My
servants understand that. don't wart
to interfere with your present arrange
ments; but we'll 60 over the rooms that
have been prepared for you. Those Of
poor Albert have ordered to be shut up
forever just As he left them. Poor boy!
poor boy"
Noel had the courage 10 place his hand
on the old gentleman's arm.
Sir" he said. "when you gave me tho
order to follow you at the Palace of JUS
tice. did SO because it was my duty.
have another-nay, say q more sacred
duty to fulfil. Madame Gerdy is danger
ously ill--so i'll that the doctor has al
most given her over. Ought to be ab-
sent from the bed of one who has been
the best of mothers to met"
"valerie! Valerie" murmured the
Count.
He bent hi. head upon his arm upon
the back Of the sofa, and the past came
day.
sShe wronged metz he answered to his
accusing angel; II loved her dearly. but
she spolt my life! She deceived me. but
1 loved her! Time has been the avenger;
I can forgive her now. poor Valerie! She
il dying-her heart is broken about AL
bert--our son! and it was who made her
sin-I suggested the whole plot! Poor
Valerie! Perhaps, if went to her now,
one word from ME might tighten her
great sorrow"
He rose and turned toward Noel.
"Ring for my coat and hat. We will
20 and sit by her bedside together"
The young man started at this unex-
pected proposition.
"Oh, sir!" he said eagerly, "spare your
self most painful scene. Madame Ger
dy may be alive still. but her brain is
gone. The shock to her nervour system
has been more than she can bear. The
poor thing will not be able even to recog-
Mise you, or hear the voice she once loved
so well"'
.Go, then, and 60 alone" sighed the
Count. "Good-bye, my son."
Those two words, "My son." said with q
marked information. sounded like the trum.
pet Of victory to Noel's ears.
CHAPTER xxx.