Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-22
CHAPTER xxxvnI.
BoNcoURT AT BAY.

more by that name-beyond doubt you
have deceived and wronged me beyond
forgiveness" said Noel, in low, broken
tones, as be crossed the floor to where
she was reclining. But do not let me
feel utterly self -abased in having known
you u-in-in having deluded myself into
thinking that I loved you. Therefore,
assure me, beseech you-assure me that
what that man has said is false;, that you
are not SO degraded as to have been
married to and divorced from such as hei"
She shiyered convulsively, and her eyes
remained closed.
4 have loved yoV-God knows how
love you still" she moaned.
-Speakl" he commanded, sternly. "Do
you refuse-are you unable-to give me
the assurance ask?"
"I-can-not!" she screamed; and then,
with burst of wild, meaningless laugh
ter she went into violent fit of hys-
terics.
Noel recoiled, shocked and alarmed;
and the maid, with an indignant look at
him, straightway wheeled the chair con-
tanning her mistress into the adjoining
! cabinet and closed the intervening door.
By this time the majority of the origi-
nal guests had slipped away, and the
nights business was hopelessly broken
| up, only few remaining out of pure
curiosity.
"By Jove, Noel but you were altogether
too hard on the little woman!" exclaimed
Boncourt. who stood by, perfectly self
possessed, and smiling sardonically, with
folded arms. "In spite Of your absurd
English prejudices, divorced woman is
/ as eligible for marriage here as in the
United States. OF course, you'll take a
more indulgent view of it, since, as Adele
still loves you, the engagement is still
on"
Sir Harry burst into derisive laugh,
which was echoed by his immediate COM
panions, with the exception of Jaspee,
who had withdrawn somewhat apart from
| the rest upon witnessing the retirement
| of Rollingstone. Even Noel was more
or less astounded at this unexpected
effrontery on the part of the irrepressible
Boncourt.
81 don't exactly understand, sir,
stammered the young man.
-Oh, but you will, though, in the course
of sober second -thoughts!" was the i'm
perturbable reply. "The lady is my sis
ter, as you know"
4Yes, you uncomfortable miscreant! ]
do believe that much, indeed. though il
seems that one of her roles was 10
masquerade here and elsewhere as your
wife" cried Noel, Indignantly. After
what has occurred her family likeness to
yourself would alone justify my repudia-
tion of that miserable woman from this
time henceforth. OF course, I shall never
see her more.
-You mistake, said Boncourt, in low,
kissing tone that none but Noel could
hear. You will forget all this that you
have seen and heard. You will keep your
engagement with my sister, as originally
intended, and speedily at that. You will
do this, or the Alternative will be your
fathers hopeless ruin and disgrace. Boy
4 he is in my power; have that upon my
person, mere bit Of writing, that en-
ables me to WELD his destiny for good oi
ill. His fate will hang upon your keep.
ing or breaking faith with Adele. Be-
4 warel"
Noel received these menaces in spirit
that had scarcely been anticipated.
Il aHark to what this rufian says, my
friends!" he cried, turning to Sir HAIRY
Wilding and the rest He avows having
in his possession the paper Of which
the iuggler robbed me. What was oul
original object in seeking this denp'
To recover stolen propertyl" shouted
Poins, throwing of his coat.
4It's hardly the correct thing, sup
pose, to pitch into common thief, or tc
q tn ief's employer, you know" observed
Squanderall, also shedding his coat, while
Wilding and Calkins were not less demon
strative, "but the conyentionalities car
not always be preserved.
| Boncourt laughed lightly, and, step
ping back few steps, partly seated him
self upon small table, with his bacl
against the wall and his face TOWARD
them. Then he perfomed another sligh
, but significant action, which seemed Il
cause his would-be opponents suddeI
embarrassment, II not positive conster
nation.
This was merely the production Of al
elegant six-shooter, which he COOL.
cooked and placed across 8 knees.
$ i can't imagine what you are talkinl
, about, young gentlemen said he. smil
ing. abut really if your intentions ar'
, hostile, you will find me neither unpre
/ pared nor unwilling"
| Its an internal shamel' grcwle'
Wilding. You've got our friends prop
erty, that was stolen from him by tn
beastly iuggler, and it's only fair tha
you should give it up,
| II know nothing about any ju1glel
/ I've got nothing on me but what belong
I to me. and but what ] intend to keep.
ls [T VIZ Continued