Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-03-20

knoWiodgo OF my being sho siren OF your
London gambling schsmes--of An infer
ence that always have been such from
earliest girlhoodf"
-Tush, tushl Adelei You have merely
gilded my nets with your beautiful smile.
no more. OF course, he shall never
know; and, after your marriage with him.
shall no longer require your association
with my schemes. The mere fact Of that
marriage viii constitute my open sesame
TO snch treasure-house as viii enrich me
indefinitely. But let me 90 on. Noel
win be here with these young bloods on
Tuesday. You can secure the news
paper from him before us all, and sign
to me as to whether or not 1t con-
tains the coveted slip Of writing within
it's folds.
IF not-well, then I shall devise
some means Of having his pockets
searched before he can chance upon the
4 shall do just nothing Of the kind, "
said Adele, composedly.
You surprise mel What-not merely
to ask him for the newspaper. and then
banteringly keep it from him?"
mo. 1t would be practicing decep-
tion, and have decided never to deceive
whore l love SO purely and so utterly"
You rave. Is not the secret Of your
career-your association with ms--a con-
slant deception?"
She bit her lip.
mo; not practically-that belongs to
the miserable past, she murmured, after
troubled pause. Il have never aided
your schemes in any way since my learn
ing to love Noel. And you have prom
ised that my presence ut this next feast to
your Londen spendthrifts shall signalize
my future freedom from all such partici-
patton"
Granted, but be consistent, AdeIei
Why, isn't the fact of our both passing
under assumed names, in London, de-
ception2 You strain at gnat. But
won't bore you with biblicism, even on
Sunday"
Il maintain my ground. shall not de-
ceiye the only man I have ever loved,
said Adele, with some sullenness. VI have
never assumed my alias since coming here
since knowing him. There is no spe-
cial Inconsistency.
BE burst into bitter laugh, for he was
little used to being thwarted, even by
her.
you amaze mel" he sneered. 'Of
course, you are going to make an open
confession to Noel before the nuptials?
Your early marriage, your divorce, your
baby that was stolen"
"Stopl" exclaimed Adele, with sud-
den ferceness that made him regret his
words. 'Aphonse, how dare you? AL
lude to anything but my lost child--the
one groaning secret Of my past-recall
not that to me. if-if you would not make
me hate you'll"
He muttered something unintelligible,
and began to pace the floor with uneasy
strides.
Il could not help the allusion, Adele
by my faith, could not!" he continued,
in calmer tone. The child was
strangely enough brought back to my
memory to-day. / saw face that re-
minded me Of the woman we once sus-
pected Of having stolen it."
"Cieli When-how-wherep"
"It is no matter, since, Of course, il
could not have belongedto to her"
"Ah, that stands to reason, indeedl
You tracked her at the time, you hunted
her down, only to find her about to ex-
plate even q worse crime ON the scaffold.
But no; not worse one! Vengeance Of
heaven! Gould there have been crime
more heinous than the robbing me Of
my child-my beautiful babe my star
eyed boy? Ali that wild, passionate
wretch had long threatened me with her
vengeance, but gave no heed oh, mis-
cry, that / gave no heea!"
She had grown greatly excited, and
was pressing her clasped hands to her
breast.
aThink no more of it, Adele" said her
brother, with return Of his sympathetic
tone. i was a brute to have alluded to
it. Shall I get you glass Of wine2"
No; patience. ] shall be myself again
in moment"
But Boncourt, in spite Of his love for
her, was not going to relinquish his origi-
nal object. He waited until she had grown
calm, and then said:
Adele, it is absolutely necessary that
you should assist me in the way / have
intimated. / must have the piece OF
writing that puts Gilbert Marlowe in my
power.
She shook her head.
But suppose prove 1t to be indispen-
sable to both you and me?"
Il repeat, you exaggerate its Importance
to us, Alphonse. am already sure Of
Noel, come what may.
He gave strange laugh, which caused
her to look up uneasily.
Where ignorance is bliss, tits folly
But, pshaw! What! Am ! going maxim
mad2s
What do you mean, Alphonse?"
Simply that yOu would not be so con-
fdent Of your power had you seen what
has come under my observation to-day.
aTell me everything, quickl"
You have rival, Adele; at all events,
there is one who might, il she chose,
cause your preux chevalier to totally for.
get you, when not absolutely in your
presence.
@Parbleu! 1t cannot be. /"
Would I jest with your hearth"
Whom do you mean?"
The little mademoiselle over wonder
at the banker's--Miss Alworth. He sal
beside her at dinner, and was directly
opposite. Why, the boy had his heart in
his face, and her indifference cut him to
the quicks'
He was even jealous Of the old chin
panzee OF lawyer, who is painting ia
marry her, theyNsly. If You had beer
there, it might have been different, but,
outside Of your spell, he palpitated in hei
atmosphere like q tree-toad in the sun.
shine. He is only year or two hei
senior. She has beauty and high quail.
ties. They have been brought up under
the same roof.
Adele drew d long breath.
This is too ridiculous for anything,
| Aiphonso, said she, with q forced laugh.
However, I will no longer subject you to
my silly caprices. l will see what can