Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-03-13

~
ward himself seemed as manifest as was
the puzzling complacenoy with which she
appeared 20 tolerate, il not actually to
encourage, Mr.. Croak's persistent at
tempts at doing the agreeable; which, by
the way, were anything but despicable,
for, in spite Of his personal disadvan-
tages, amounting almost to positive de-
formity, the old lawyer was proving him.
self an adept, on occasion, IN the exer-
else Of rare and pleasing conversational
powers.
All this was new and odd TO Noel. In
the character Of Adele's afiianced lover,
he, Of course felt that he had no right to
complain, but nevertheless he did so Sc
cretly, until at last. weary with trying TO
account for the new position OF affairs,
he left the young girl solely to the atten-
tions Of her legal neighbor, and set HIM
self to general survey Of the rest Of the
company, and to specializing upon his
fathers designs in bringing it together.
$50, my father has even placed poor old
Alworth on his right hand" he observed
in the course of his reflections. What
can this mean? And how cheered and
encouraged the dear old book-keeper
looksl Easy enough to understand this
much, at all events, He dreams OF leni-
ency as the outcome of condescension.
And this reminds me of my promise to
intercede for him, at Gwendoline's re-
quest. Does she deserve should re-
member it, in view Of her present extra
ordinary coldness toward me? And is she
dissimulating, or really interested in the
twaddle of this old ogre at her side? Az
live, she permits him to heap her plate
and she is actually drinking wine with
mimi However, how can it concern mei
The girl is free of heart and hand,
suppose, But I'm rather glad Adele II
not here; she would be sure to detect
something wrong IN me. What could
| have induced my father to ask that vul
| gar cad, Wormer, to dinner? Not for th'
special purpose of boring Boncourt,
| hope. And vet the latter seems not tt
| get moments rest from the fellows in
| terminable buzzing."
The dinner was excellent, but only Il
one instance might the general conversa
| ton be said to contain anything o
special interest to the reader. This wa
when Mr.. Marlowe, who had been mani
Testing q good deal of fictitious higl
spirits from the beginning, observed tn
unusual preoccupation Of Miss Winford
and called out pleasant demand as to II
cause.
Il cannot drive from my thoughts, sir,
she replied, with some embarrassment
what you said about some one hayin
possibly entered the bank during tn
night. Then strange discovery wa
made shortly before dinner that ma
have some connection with your sus
picions.
what could that have been2" aske
Marlowe, uneasily, compelled against hi
will to question further.
Strange hands have dug long, dee
hole in the back cellar, looking as thoug
it had been intended for a grave. II
gardener discovered it while ago,
going down there after q spade.
@You astonish mel By strange hand
you say? This must be investigate,
Could the hole have been dug last night
aNo, sir. 1t must have been done II
! day during church hours. Cook WI
down there Just before getting ready Il
service. and then there was no such ho
there"
aMore and more astonishing! shs
consult with the police tomorrow"
And then Mr.. Marlowe, without hee
l inc the surprise occasioned others by th
N--r
with his dinner, and without ventura
further remarks.
9 After dinner, when most OF the gentl
men, were smoking in the garden, Nc
y managed to obtain few words alo
with his father. whom he found IN t
? library.
: The young man issued therefrom, loo
ing not little disturbed, and CHANGED
2 meet Miss Alworth as she was about o
cending the stairs.
Il am glad to be able to speak with y
alone, Gwen, said he. Il have just be
!, begging my father to retain Mr.. Alwoi
in his position.
Q aHow kind OF youl" said she, with
eager look. what did he say?"
Z SHe refuses my request, and tells
9 that had better consult with old Gro
if / would learn anything OF your ia
4 er's prospects and yours. What can Il
. mean, Gwenf"
as it likely that I should know" 8
replied, with shrug of her pretty sho
So ders and q sudden impenetrability
g countenance. -Perhaps Mr.. Croak {
= inform YOU
II Then she tripped up the steps. leavi
N him more disturbed.
~ At about the same time, Mr.. WorI
sought out Mr.. Marlswe, to say. In q
!. fidential tone:
d; aMy theory was correct, depend on
a. Boncourt's the man! Your missing cou
"a will soon turn up, and will bear
y amount of shadowing.