Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-11-20
day. | locked it in NV desk

Noel sank on a chair near the door,
Wall went up to him. He was a
powerfully built man and lowered
over Louis.
Bring me that money!" he said.
Noel pushed him away steadily.
Keep your hands off me. / must
think-this means more TO me than to
yoa.
Wall drew back. TAere was a mo-
ments silence.
1T means ruin to you. Look at
me, Noel This will not surprise the
firm. They have long suspected you.
You cannot pass it off as an accident
Now, listen. If that money is not
within my hands in an hour, | must
return to Montreal to night. and make
all known. Even if Freyteau will not
consent to your arrest, you will be
discharged " Then he lowered his
voice. Miss Page will not be likely
to marry penniless vagabond and a
thief.
"What of Miss Page said clear
voice behind him
Louis stood up. Wall turned and
faced her, a SLOW heat of triumph ris p
ing in his heavy jaws and half-snut
blue eyes. There had been some
softening of pity in his tone just now,
but he remembered that this man was
his rival and was in his power.
James Wall was not the man to delay
Using that power for one remorseful
moment
Monsieur Noel is in difficulty" he
said, gravely looking down, and rub
bling his wellkept nails as though in
embarrassment. Ellis returns to the
firm there is a deficiency of several
thousand pounds.
Hester went quickly up TO Noel.
There was something wholesome and
invigorating in her decisive step, in
the keen commonsence lighting her
brown eyes.
"Yos can set this right, of course2'
she said.
II have not spent the money. II
was in my desk yesterday"
She looked at me for moment,
then for the first time ia her life laid
her hand on his arm
Monsieur Noel, you are not your
self You have been robbed. Why
do you stand here7 Why do you nD
make search; arrest the servants2'
Noel avoided her eve. 81 will not
do that" he said. They did not
take it"
He does not understand of what
you accuse him, sue said Impatient
ly to Wall, who laughed contemptu
0usly.
II do understand l will search
or the money again" He returned
to Wall: "The boat will not be in
for an hour. Give me that tlme.n
The stupor was shaken off. Some
thing of his usual gusty, awkward
Vehemence was in his manner as he
went off. But when Wall said, HE
knows he will not bring the money
back" Miss Paige secretly felt that
he was right. She took up her nett
ing and seated herself at the win
! dow.
eve will wait here until the hour
is over" she said quickly, and Wall
recognized himself as prisoner. A
stronger will than his had resolved
on justice for Noel. He could not &c
out, as he had Intended, TO publish
the theftin Tadousac.
Unfortunately, he said, "suspi-
cion has been directed to this young
man for some time. A charming fel
low, tool A thousand pitieslo
Hesters fingers steadily went in and
out of the blue web, but she remained
silent
Noel, on the upper floor, halted at
the door of chamber next his OWL.
Within, the French horn sounded a
wailing cry. He stood minute, drew
3 long breath of gathered strength
and went in smiling. M. Noel, seated
by the window, rose quickly to meet
him, laying down his instrument Care
fully. He wore a velvet jacket, and
cap on his long, white hair. Noel took
as much fond pride in devising pic
turesoue costumes for his father as a
woman would for her baby. His fea-
lures were sensitive and fine as Those
of Louis's, but the eyes were shallow
ana CLASSY and there was perpetual
deprecating smile on the mouth:
1T is time for our walk, my son.
he said, speaking the pure French OF
the old fanilies of Quebec
Louis, with a smile still on his face,
placed chair. 1--WE will talk little
first, father" Standing behind him,
bis hands on his shoulders, he glanced
at tAe clock. Not an hourl Yet if
he frightened the old man he
could discover nothing. He talked
of Indifferent matters, and then said
How did you amuse yourself tc-
day slr2'
with my music, Louis and stroll
led across the mountains.
with these alsoY' taking from a
drawer pack of greasy cards. M.
Noel started up pale and trembling as
a guilty child.
They are not minel They were
lent mel l only play little game of
solitaire
"Why, assuredlyl Do you ever
wager with yourself. sirl One hand
against the Others"
"Why, | never tried thatW chuck
ling. II wager with Jacques when
we ulav. A tfihe-Bah !"