The Morning herald., 1877-09-07

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CHAPTER XIII.
THE .TEAR-srA1NBD LETTER.

,l 4
The old volunteer detective was once
more on the trail fStll there was flaw
in the evidence. he was collecting in his
"It appears to me-" he sai id, after a
pause, "that, knowing your hard struggles
to gain an honest independence your
father scarcely kept his word as to the
dazzling promises he made to Madame
lierdy about your future."' ."',t
"He never kept his word at alp an
swered the other, shaking his head sadly.
"Well, I never!,' cried Daddy Tabaret
Indignantly. "If don't think he has bo-
haved worse than all the rest"
"Spare my father!" said Noel quickly.
"Remember that he befriended Madame
Gerdy for many years afterwards"
"Did you ever see him7' interrupted
his friend. ....,.....
ayes. 1 can still remember being visit
ed when at college by tall man, with
handsome face, and cold, naughty man.
ne1s, who could have been no other than
the Count Lionel de Valcourt. But the
day came at last when he broke off all
correspondence with the once adored and
beautiful Valerie" -~~
"Oh, Of course!-of course!'' sneered
Daddy Tabaret. GA man in his position
one of the old nobility, you know-Ae
could afford to do dirty actionv'
"stop,'' interrupted the barrister, with
dignity, "before you judge him too hastily,
and you will see that he was not so much
10 blame"
So saying, he handed another letter to
Old Corkscrew.
This letter was more crumpled and worn
than the rest, and the writing appeared
blotted in many places, as with tears. Ba'.'
Its folds were nearly divided from much
use, as though it had been read and re-
read many and many a weary time.
1t intimated, in few lines, that the
Count had become cognizant of the fact
that Valerie was on the point of accepting
proposals OF marriage from a rich trades
man in her neighborhood and that in
consequence of this, she must consider
that in future all further relations what.
soever between them were at an end. ..
IN her replies, the unfortunate woman /,
Indignantly denied the insinuation, but
her letters were returned unopened. She
tried to obtain an interview with the
Count but in vain, and was at last inform
ed by his solicitor that an income of &150
ayear would be settled upon her, on con-
ditlon that she ceased all further claims
upon his client .
$50 you see, old friend" commented
Noel, as the faded, sad-looking letter join
ed its companions in misfortune in the
pack, $50 you see, Valerie's son has taken
my place, and my hopes are destroyed for
ever"
he was interrupted by some one knock
ing at the door, rs.
Who's there 9' he asked, without ris-
ing from his seat. Co..
."0h, if you please, SIR" said the voice
Oh the servant outside, "do come Poor
m'ssus has been asking for you this 'alf-
nour; but l told her you was engaged.
she,s been asking for you againv'
The barrister turned very red, and then
very pale--half rose from his seat then
sunk back again, as if irresolute what
course to pursue.
"Go to her!-go to her at once, my boyv
Sald Daddy Tabaret, energetically. "Don't
oe 1nklnd and unforgiving! Leave those
unpleasant feelings to bigots and narrow
",'oed "1 people. It's a privilege that be-
longs to them"
Noel rose with an evident reluctance
"'u re.pugnance then, placing his hand
we u'er MS heart, as if to still its painful
rooms.