Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-22

the two coaches that we're in readiness,
and were driven rapidly away.
When they alighied, shortly afterward,
at the gate, by which access was to be
had to th lighted rooms above, Rolling
stone siRnaled the party to preserve ST.
lence, aud then, with Jasper at his side,
led the way 10 the gate in the garden wall.
A series of triple taps, given lightly
and in rapid succession, caused the gate
to be placed slightly ajar to the extent ef
heavy chain that secured it within, and
the sharp, knowing little face of Dip
peered out upon the party.
He recognized his former master at
once, but gave not the least evidence of it.
who are your" he asked.
I'VE are yotaries, and there are seven
of u.s." said Rollingstone.
Prove that you are votaries."
TRY u.s."
he first password"
AFdire la Uie.
To what purpose?"
Pour la Uie de plGisir."
The chain was unloosed, and the gate
silently thrown open.
"The guard at the staircase will ques-
tion you further" said the boy, in low
voice, and he drew back, as the visitors
In the lead.
IF Maurice shall have been warned
against me, it may be necessary to throt-
| tie him, whispered the leader to Jasper.
who was at his elbow as they assembled
the steps of back porch, the garden be-
ing but dimly lighted. Pass the word to
| that Poins to hold himself in readiness
he is probably the best fighter in the
party"
This was done, and then Rollingstone,
pulling down his hat over his eyes, open
ing door. found himself confronted by
Boncourt's valet at the foot Of broad
| staircase.
Interrogatories and replies, somewhat
similar to those adopted at the gate, were
satisfactorily exchanged, and then the
party began to mount to the story above,
the sounds of feassing and merriment,
mingled with the monotonous sing song
voice Of croupier calling the points Of
roulette, coming louder and louder to
their ears, through the closed door Of the
dining-room at the head of the steps, as
| they ascended.
Scarcely, however, had they congre-
| gated in the hallway before the door,
when Maurice came bounding up after
them, with a scared, white face. He had
recognized Rollingstone, and now, with
the sudden recollection that the latter
was no longer In favor with his master.
it occurred to him that all might not be
quite right.
wait, messieursl I will first have to ad-
wise my master of your coming" he was
/ exclaiming, in good deal of iutter,
when he was silenced by the athletic
Poins' too-ready fist striking him under
| ~
| the tufted carpet.
This was effected with scarcely any
noise or scufiing, and even had it been
otherwise, the presence of the new
corners would probably not have been be-
trayed, such was the confused sound of
merriment going on within.
Drink, gentlemen, to the confusion OF
dull care!" was heard to call out clear
silvery voice from the interior, the sound
of which caused Noel to look up in sud-
den bewilderment. IA joyous life and
the chances of camel This be our motto
henceforth forever.
At that instant, Rollingstone noiseless-
ly opened the door, and. gently pushed
Noel in upon the scene, the others quiet
ly following.
i It CHANGED that the intrusion was not
at once perceived Boncourt could be
seen through the folding-d doors, intent
upon the operation Of the roulette table,
which was surrounded by several players
in the adjoining room; while Adele, who
was still at table with the remainder OF
the guests, happened to be partly turned
away from the door, as it opened and
gave silent ingress to the unbidden
guests.
She had risen from her velvet chair,
the goblet still raised on, high in her lit.
tie hand, the banqueters were hanging,
with poised glasses and enraptured looks
upon her reckless words and smile; she
seemed the veritable divinity of bacchan
allan rites.
Drink, gentlemen, drink" she cried
again; and she would doubtless have re-
peated her reckless toast, but that, a
that instant, cry of half articulatt
horror broke from Noel's lips.
She turned as If stung by serpent
Then she shrieked, the goblet fell from
her hand, and was dashed in pieces, and
white as marble, with staring eyes, and
parted lips, she staggered back, clutch.
ing her chair for support.
Boncourt leaped into the room from the
adjoining game. A single glance at his
I sister and the intruders-at Noel's horri
fed, bewildered face. at Rollingstone's
wreathed with triumphant mockery, a
Jasper's, calmly menacing, and at thos'
of the others, more or less expressive o.
; amusement or astonishment-apprise(
him of the hopelessness of the ruin tina
had befallen.
The inborn, gladitorial desperation o
the adventurers character flashed to th,
surface in an instant. He gathered him
self together, crouchingly, like tige
for its spring, with lowered head, con
tracting eyes and quivering nostrils
|. Then, lashing out with hoarse, vengefu
! cry, ne hurled himself in the direction 0
Rollingstone.
/. Both Calkins and Poins, however, wer
too quick for him in their interposition
But this proved to be hardly necessary
After manifesting his superiority b
? brushing them to either side, like tn
merest feathers, Bonoourt recovered hi
8 self-control as if my magic, and onl
hissed out to Rollingstone as he turne
] away:
Reptile. you know mel can bide m,
time"
4 aWhat!" burst out Sir Harry, @the Bon
; courts and the De Mauleons one and tn
Q same set! Cad? Noel, thank your star
for the escape you have had, instead 0
. shivering there like . ghost OF da, break
9 Jerusalem! just think Of it. But fo
0 this revelation that woman yonder Nigh
have been your wifei It is horrib oil"
4Hai you are right, Wilding; it is too
Z too horriblel' faltered Noel, rubbing hi
~ eyes.