Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-03-18
CHAPTER XII.
NELLIE AsrosIsHKs OLD coRKscREw.


ditions Of nervous excitement that makes
man do wonders.
He was round the corner Of the Rue st.
Lazare like flash; and-oh, happiness!-
at fifty yards in front of him, saw the
brougham and the bay mare arrested In
their swift course amongst crowd Of
carts and carriages.
I'm catch her YETI he said, looking
round eagerly for cab.
Not one to be seen!
The brougham had now disengaged it.
self from tbs lock, and the bay mare was
speeding away at a better pace than ever.
followed by the Daddy, in right gallant
style.
At last-at last! Just MS he felt that his
legs were giving way under him-a cab,
an empty cab passed him!
He waved his arms at its driver in q
desperate manner. like drowning man,
and, rushing forwards, plunged in head
foremost; directing him, rs he did SO. to
follow the brougham with the bay mare.
"kaep up with it, he gasped, as he
morped his perspiring face with an old
cotton handkerchief. about the size OF u
tray-cloth, "aud III give you Napoleon
for your troublc!"
The cabman winked; and. giving his
skinny horse q vigorous flick with the
whip, dashed off in pursuit.
At last the brougham G.,d the bay marc
came TO their journeys end. snd were dis
missed; and a minute after. the Daddy
followed the young lady, As she glided
into the doorway of house i'll the Rue
de- Province.
Old Corkscrcw opened the door Of the
porter's lodge.
In IN imperious tone he demanded the
name of the lady who had Just entered.
The porter h"si'ateA, but finally replied,
"Miss Nallic Nicholson"
Upon what floor does sho liveT
"The second"
few moments afterwards, the old man
was seated in the drawin'r-" On of Miss
Nicholson. who, as her maid infos,n"d
him, had just returned from q drive, and
would see him directly she had changed
her dress
Daddy Tabaret was astonished at the
luxury and taste of the furniture and
decorations of the apartment, and hal
taken out his spectacles, and was prying
and shifting about, calculating the value
of every article and "objst Dart" when
the door opened, and the entrance of Mel
lie prevented any further investigation.
"You wished to see me, believel" she
said, bowling gracefully.
"Madame." said Daddy Tabnret, II am
friend of Nocl's-his best friend, may
say"
pray sit down, monsieur" said the
young lady, smiling sweetly, at the same
time advancing an armchair. into which
che sunk, taking particular pains as she
did so to show q tiny foot in cherry-col-
ored slpner, surmounted by n steel buckle,
that sparkled like dewdrops upon rose
leaf.
NJ have called. madame" he went on,
"upon business. It's always unpleasant
to intrude business atfiirs upon Il lady;
but your presence at Monsieur Gerdy's
private residence"
"Whati" cried Nellie, jumping up, and
wheeling the chair back with kick of her
foot. ale knows, then, Of my visit al
ready. What a mean wretch he must b.
to keep spies about him! You're one of
his spies, amt you''
my dear child" expostulatcd Old Cork.
screw.
"Oh, don't 'desr child mem said the
young lady. Don't Le humbug. l
know what you've come about You've
been sent here by Noel to scold and preach
at me; but won't stand it, and SO tell
you. Take him back my compliments,
and tell him that I don't care to have a
riddle for Il lover-a man whom know
nothing about-an enigma dressed in n
black coat. and got up like mutc-a be-
ing as mysterious as he is lugubrious."
"But why did you call upon himl"
"Whyl" said the girl Indignantly. "Be-
cause he promised 10 marry me. and I've
heard from friend that he's going TO jilr
ue."
"Who told you thati"
stat old thief, Ducroe."
"Eu, it's not true"
"rrue or not, all know is, that for the
last month Noel has been . changed
.iu,r."
Tne volunteer detective was on tenter-
hooks. What he wanted to know above
fverything was if Noel could prove an
abb upon the day of the crime. That
was the question. His heart beat fast as
he kazarded the next inquiry.
"You doubt his love, theni"
"Doubt his love! Ha-ha! What
funny ol &: boy you are! Wouldn't you, if
You were woman, doubt the love of
man wLo WAS ashamed to own youl Why,
he hides me rs if | were some secret that
couldn't bear the light of day"
She had risen in her excitement, and,
throwing back her ma gnifcent black hair,
',"ncl ppon the old man like young
tiss.ess.
"Yol are his friend, and I appeal to