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


1t was bordering upon the same mid
night hour ct which the gilded feast Of
the De Mauleons was approximating to
its dizzy height that Jasper and Rolling
stone sought the doors of the opera,
after having availed themselves of the
foregoing hours in q manner looking to-
ward the project which they had on
hand.
The opera was just over, and the
throngs were pouring out, there being
the usual crush of onlookers on the
sidewalk and of coaches in the street.
There they are at last" said Rolling
stone, and in q moment Jasper and he
were joined by Noel Marlowe and his
friends.
The latter were delighted with the
brilliant performance which they had
Just witnessed, and, full of fresh life,
were eager for the adventure that had
been promised them. Noel alone ap-
peared somewhat reserved; but, much as
he shank from seeking his lost property
in such place as the De Mauleon apart
ments had been depicted to him, he had
fully resolved to see the affair through,
and he abstained as we'll as he could from
permitting his own uneasiness to COM
municate itself to the high spirits of the
rest 1t should be mentioned, however,
that Jasper, on his part, was not less re-
served and not less resolved. He had,
indeed, determined fully upon the line of
conduct that he would pursue in the
event of Noers succeeding in recovering
the momentous document from Boncourt.
and it was this:
He would then throw himself entirely
upon the young mans generosity, tell
him frankly his whole miserable story,
and demand the restoration of the paper,
by which alone his rights and just amends
to the wronged and long suffering father
of Gwendoline, could be secured. He
had resolved to take his chances as to the
young mans affection for his father in
terposing itself in manner to obstruct
sense of what was justly due to others.
He had seen enough of Noel's character
to be impressed with its inherent noble
ness and probity. And he had, more-
over, received certain intimations-from
q source that will be in due time made
apparent-that the young mans real love
was for Glendoline, rather then for Adele;
and he thought he could rely upon the
revulsion of feeling that would occur,
upon the true character and antecedents
Of Adele being suddenly revealed to her
betrothed lovers understanding, such as
he felt certain was about to be made,
more than anything else, in stimulating
the high-minded youth up to the sticking
point of doing what was manifestly right
and Just, to the Notwithstanding detri-
ment of that guilty sire, who would
knowingly, through selfish cupidity OF
fear, have assisted at his marriage with
an unworthy woman.
As for Rollingstone, he was simply
actuated by cheap and vulgar sentiment
of revenge upon both Boncourt and Adele
chiefly by reason of the summarizes
with which he had been ousted from 9
despicable and parasitic mode of liveli.
hood, as has doubtless, ere this, beer
made apparent to the reader.
As for the gay young men constituting
| Noels friends. their motives can be readi
| ly coniectured as arising chiefly from {
| fun-loving desire for fresh adventure
| combined with generous eagerness t.
| assist in righting an injury which they
| felt their comrade had sustained in tht
| theft of the mysterious document undel
| the instigation Of an outside conspiracy
Indeed, the mystery attaching to thu
| paper itself, in accordance with Noeli
| explanations concerning his possession
| of it, as we'll as to De Mauleon's object il
procuring its abstraction through the in
strumentality Of the juggler, was snothe
element, and not the least one, in impel
ling the young mems minds and imagina
tions to the prosecution of the enterpris
| in view.
Such were the varying motives and feel
| ings of the group that came together O
/ the Ioorc ~ which xun xprifa
Well met again!" cried Sir Harr.
wilding, before the party were we'll ou
of the crowd. Glad you, are both o.
time"
so am l." said Poins. Superb as tn
| opera was, and perfect as Patti was il
the last act, Icould not put my whole at
tention upon it through thinking Of thi
affair in prospect.
"Nor T." said Calkins. IF there is
spice of danger to be thrown in, SO mucl
the better. ! hope De Mauleon or som
of his fiunkies will show fight"
THAT will suit me- too, observed cal
low Lord Squanderall.a But mind, if an,
gambling offers, Pm to be counted out
4 +Come, gentlemen, said Rollingstone
plotting them out Of the throng, EVERY
thing is prepared, and Bently and hav
two coaches waiting within hail.
/ Good, said Sir Harry, as they dre'
aside into comparatively ssclude
street; for we have relied upon you fo
everything. By the way, do we requir
any coaching beforehand"
sJust little printing, replied Rolling
stone. aThere will be no difficulty i
our effecting an entrance at the Burto
street palace. Fortunately, Bently and
hova fhio ovenin0 ansna onrOaa a Unun
swell"
He suddenly paused, leaning against
railing, with his hand pressed to hi
heart; and street lamp, under whic
they were standing, showed his counte
nance swiftly alternating from blood-re
to ghastly white.
Are you illl' exclaimed Noel, hasten
ing, with Jasper, to his assistance. @Wht
is it--a sudden faintness2"
@Poor devil! it's doubtless the drink,
whispered Wilding to Squanderall, Will
Calkins and Poins exchanged signifcar
glances. Small wonder, too, if he drink
every day as he has to-day.
But Rollingstone quickly rallied, an
was seemingly almost himself again in
moment.
@Thanks, Marlowe; thanks, Bently; 70
are very kind" said he, straightenin
himself up; and then, looking around, /
added. with short laugh:
Don't lose patience or think me
baby, pleased 1t was nothing-a me-
faintness, to which am subject
morel Shall We go at once?"
Are you equal to II, thought aske
Noel, gently, while there were other q
, pressions Of sympathy. .