Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-04-03
THE BANKERS CRIME
Diamond Cut Diamond.
By NATHAN D. URNER.
CHAPTER xvIn.-sContInusd.l


selves vastly from eleven in the morning,
the hour atwhich they had assembled,
were now In the midst of the luncheon.
which was capitally served, regardless Of
expense, and forming fitting top-dress-
ing to the enjoyment of well-seasoned
day.
aNo-not another glass of wine ct pres
emit, not even with you, Madame Ronce-
vile, Lord Squanderall was saying, in q
loud, boyish voice, as the dessert was be-
ing brought on. @Gad but your luncheon
lis q jolly one, Boncourt. What suggested
the idea Of that minstrel feature TO you2"
Il shall plagiarize it ut the very next
thing that l attempt at The Beeches,
broke in Sir Harry. 'It's stunning
novelty"
aBut neither of you can plagiarize the
marvellous imp who is presiding over it,
I'll venture to say, said Boncourt, laugh
ling. And would you believe it? tits to
the imp's suggestion, and to his alone,
that you are indebted for the novelty it.
self"
.You don't say so2" said Squanderall.
1t is an odd little creature. Where did
you pick him up?"
by the merest chance-he may be said
to have blown hither from the other side
of the world
-He shall dance me another of his
breakdowns, as you call them, right of,
at all events" said Sir Harry, signing
to the minstrel. by Jovel there must
be no end to the seductiveness of these
Yankee minstrels. Don't you think 30,
Noelf'
Noel nodded in the Affirmative, but, to
tell the truth, he secretly looked upon the
49, he anAa nj I'M amt at xuoo
under discussion as in questionable taste,
though he had not failed to enjoy himself
on the whole.
Squanderall, who had been deeply i'm
pressed with Miss Alworth's beauty from
the very first, was now receiving a low
voiced sketch of her history from the
smiling lips of Madame Ronceville. at
whose left hand he was seated; and his
face took on q look Of positive amazement
as he was being informed that the young
lady was probably afianced to the old
lawyer who was doing the agreeable at her
elbow.
But, Lordi you can't mean it, you
know gasped the young man.
Adele nodded and laughed, as she
reached out her fair arm to drink wine
with her affianced, who was sitting di-
rectly opposite.
aWhy, it's an outrage, you knowl" broke
out Equanderall. Talk about Beauty
and the Beast-what! that squatty,
wrinkled, knotted-up little money-bag?
The deucel It's like wedding skylark
to q toadl"
what is, my lord2" asked Noel, with a
K laugh.
.I'll give you the point after while,
replied Squanderall, who had spoken
louder than he had intended.
Il say, Boncourt, are we to have some
cards presentlyf' asked Sir Harry, who
had been gambling with Squanderall half
the night before at the bedside of his in
jured cousin, and could still think Of but
little else.
"Oh, yes, by all meansi" broke in sew
eral young men in breath.
Anything you desire, of course, said
Boncourt, though neither my sister nor
ever countenance excessive high play. "
He had felt his way cautiously in the
Highcombe society thus far, and was
looked upon by most as rather given to
prudence and correct living,
Never mind the stakes, 10 long as it's
ecarte or hazard, said Lord Squander-
all, who then quilted his seat and strolled
down the table to chance the effects of q
live lords affability upon Miss Alworth's
temperament.
It shall content myself with billiards,
If / can secure an eligible opponent,
said Noel. who never gambled.
Adele can match you in that, as in
other things the reverse Of antagonistic.
said Boncourt, exchanging q significant
glance with his sister. She beat the
Countess de Belleyieu in Paris last win
ter
Il shall be charmed. What! and you
really play billiards, Adele?" said Noel
looking over to her in some surprise.
Yes; it 10 becoming fashionable in bott
France and Germany" she replied. @l
naturally: as 50 many Of your countrymer
\ do. Noel.
4 sIt is pitfall that have resolved
never to stumble into, said the young
man, gravely. 1T was only the other day
that read in newspaper of q new ant
fascinating method of gambling whicl
some foreigners have recently introduced
in London; but, so far from being tempt
ed, it caused me to be more disguised
with gambling in the abstract than eve
before.
SIS that the extract you wanted to reat
to me on Saturday EVENING"" said Adele
with ill-concealsd eagerness; for she hat
taken note Of his wearing the same gar
ments now as upon that occasion. HOY
perverse was, not to listenl OF cours
You must have destroyed the neWspape
long agoss
No, / have not; tis still in my pocket,
said Noel, calmly producing carelessly
folded newspaper from the left-hand in
side pocket Of his coat.
Let me take it, that ! may read the al
ticle at my leisure, said Adele, reachin
over to him.
1t was, likewise, q critical moment fc
Boncourt, who was looking on with q
anxiety that he could hardly disguise.
CHAPTER XIX.
Ss BAFFLED SCHEMES, y.
No, said Noel. lauehingly, withhold
ing the newspaper from the outstretche
@ hand, lit is so short prefer to read
< aloud to you. II is all about an expostii