Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-06-12

phonssl she exclaimed, rising: We shall
face il out together. Noel shall be forced
to it. Come; viii accompany YOU The
servant answering the bell was the tall
valet whom they call Maurice, and his
face was bandagsd, as though he had been
injured.
-'You're not 1T to wait on us; why
didn't you send Dipi said his master.
The valet replied that he thought the
boy had Quilted the house.
Impossible, exclaimed Boncourt.
why, he entered with us but q few mo-
ments ago. Find him-send him here at
once'
The valet disappeared, but quickly re-
turned, saying:
1.-The boy has really gone, monsieur.
He quilted the house directly after you
had hung up your coat in the hall and en-
tered here with madame. The servants
in the kitchen saw him stealing out by
the side door, after which he darted away
like an arrow
"A terrible suspicion seemed abruptly
to take hold of Boncourt. He waved the
valet out of the room, and then sprang
out into the hall, like startled leopard.
He came staggering rather thar hurry
ing, back, with his coat in his hands and
face like fend's.
Adele, the paper is goneP he cried
out, with terrible oath. The boy has
robbed mel left it in this coat pocket,
like fooll He has all along been here
as spy in his former masters service;
there can be no other explanation. Fool
dolt, idiot, that have beenl The paper
is doubtless by this time in Jasper Mar
loves hands! My power over the banker
is at an endP
"She was not less wild than he. I will
not describe the fury that possessed them
both for the time, but will pass on to the
succeeding calm-cold, resolved and
deadly-in which they fully decided to
come here at once, to seek your presence
secretly, and to compel You to an oath to
fulfill your marriage contract, or to take
your life. She was as reckless and des-
perate as he. was almost paralyzed
with what heard. They had already
started on their errand before Mrs. Beane
dragged me away.
Come she whispered, we must
hurry on before them and warn the young
man to keep out of their way. know
them both; they can be tigers VIXEN they
choose
I'VE ran at the top of our speed, but
before We got quite into the road my
companions breath and strength failed
her. She begged me to speed on alone,
saying that she would follow.
Il did so. l had hardly got out into
the road, when voices in alteration
caused me to look back. There was just
enough light for me to see that Boncourt
and his sister had overtaken the old
woman. and that she seemed endeavor-
ing to detain them. Then Boncourt
gnashed out an oath, and saw him fell
the poor creature to the ground with his
fist. Horrified as was at the bastard
deed, dared not pause for more than
that instant. continued my course,
running like the wind. Thank heaven
for my familiarity with the grouads here.
knew the front gate would be locked,
necessitating my calling out the servants.
which did not feel willing to do.
Il ran around the lane. and came in
by small gate near the stables. I saw
your father and Mr.. Croak through the
rear office window, with several persons.
So, instead of entering by the street
door. I slipped in by the side entrance,
unperceived, and taking the precaution
to bolt the door behind me. Even if
Boncourt should steal into the garden by
the same way did he cannot make his
way up here without making his purpose
known. At any other time should not
have dared to come stealthily to your
room, as I have done. But no other
choice was left me, and saw by the light
from this window that you must be up
here. All! heaven be thanked that am
here in timel"
| So hurriedly had she spoke that her
words, in the actual recital, occupied less
time than the reading.
ayes; and thank Heaven that 7 have
been saved by you, of all others in the
world" cried Noel, fervently. 4Oh,
Gwendoline, Gwendoline. my first, my
last, my only love! Nay; do not look
shocked, or turn away! Heavensl did
you but guess the suffering that my folly
my weakness, nv infatuation have cost
me! Here is what Z was writing as you
came in, TO snatch me from the assassin's
bullet Read it-you must read i'm.
plore. I insist"
He snatched up the written sheets with
trembling eagerness, and forced them
4 into her hands. His manner was more
irresistible, more piteously beseeching
than even his words. She could MOI
choose but read what he had written.
4Ah, how you must have suffered
| What terrible womani What plo
within . plott7 she murmured, as she
went ON; and then, as she drew to tht
close: "Whatt and can this be true? AND
you have really, truly loved me, and onl,
me, all along?"
| 4Oh, Gwendoline! can you doubt it2'
he cried, opening his arms to her. aCal
you love me in retnrn?"
Under less excitement she might hay,
drawn back; but she herself had suffered
SO long in secret AsT own love had beer
| SO great, SO long stihed--ths relief, th
compensation seemed 80 heavenly--e
thing conspired to melt heE. to carry he
away.
Noel, my love, nay darlingr
Il They rushed into each others arms.
4Oh, this isl undeserved, this is blisl
too noble. too diviner he exclaimed
straining her to his breast Perish M
fathers anger, perish Adele's treach
cry, perish her brothers vengeance-com
disinheritance, poverty, and contumely
thou at least art mine -Gwendolina- M
love, my bride, my wife forever and for
ever"
At that instant harsh, mockin
| laugh burst into the room from the win
dow, toward which Noel's back was turned
Gwendoline uttered q Shrek.
See, he is there, the murderer" sh
. exclaimed, tearing herself away, an
pointing to the window; and then sh
I threw herself between him and his threa
ening death.
n Boncourt had climbed to the balloon
BY means Of the ivy-vines, and was peel
Nnxtr,1-yox. a.,