Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-22
TIE BANKER'S CRIME ;
Diamond Cut Diamond.
By NATHAN D. URNER.
CHATTER xxxvI-fContInusdI.

nlng nhnu IL mine, ana dare not Bacri-
fee card. We will return 10 jasmine
Lodge in triumph tomorrow. The mar
riaee-day shall be named then, without
an hours delay. Gilbert Marlowe-and
Croak, too, for that matter-shall know
and feel my power thenl"
why not at once?" cried Adele, with
an eager flush. why linger here and
continue these risky schemes another in
stant7-
Boncouft shook his head.
@No; a few hours delay will make no
difference, said he. MY arrangements
for tonight are already made"
"Oh, Alphonse, forego them, entreat
you'll" she continued, clasping her hands.
NO steps are taken that cannot be now
recalled. You yourself say that we are
now secure. Why, then, remain here, at
risk and danger, in this miserable, un-
worthy trader ogive 1T up, and at once,
Alphonse.
II tell you it cannot be" said he, al
most harshly. -The guests are selected;
they will come; they will bring an abund-
ance Of money; will not disappoint
them, nor myself either"
Not for my sakeP"
Not even for that, Adele. Why, you
are childlshl Is not your beauty the first
attraction2 Without it the card-tables
would be empty, the roulette ball lmotion-
less"
A blush of shame-bright and deep to
the roots of her hair-sutfused her beau
tiful face.
@Ciel! Should not know that by this
timer" she murmured, brokeniy. "A
month ago / would have gloried In it.
Now / think of Noel and / shudder.
Snara ma Aluhonse
Remember your agreement" said he,
angrily. After this one last venture
you are free. / shall keep my promise.
See that you adhere to yours. ,,
Still she persisted.
"What if should tell you Of certain
presentiments Of evil that have had
that am still having" said she, hoarse-
ly. Alphonse, it is true. ! feel in
stinctively that evil-defeat. perchance
utter ruin-will come out of to- nights
doings, if persisted in. OF course, /
will, must, keep my promise, if you
hold me to it; but, Alphonse. pause-be
warned in time"
He burst into contemptuous laugh.
Warnings, presentiments, and for mel"
he Knocked. Adele, scarcely know you;
you are a baby"
She made gesture of despair, and
sank back in her seat without another
word.
You are unnecessarily nervous and de-
pressed, said he, in much gentler tone.
Try to overcome it.
Say no more Of it, Alphonse. You see
am resigned. Who are to come tonight
how many--what sort?"
Now you are yourself" said he, with
sudden animation. Adele. it will be the
best, the most profitable party have ever
had here. Had Rollingstone continued
to work with me, ] could not have sue
ceeded better than / have to-day"
why name that wretch2 Is he not
finally disposed off"
Without doubt. / merely inquired
at his address, in sort of vague hope
that he might have been found dead in
his bed. No such luck for us, Of course;
but he is in fair way, perhaps, to meet
even that consummation. He was drink
ing hard with strangers all the morning
at his inn, and had drifted out some
where"
aPahl Will you never continued"
Yes, yes. Well, ] met that same young
fellow who assisted me once before-the
swell who was turned out of his club for
false play-and he was a prime decoy.
There will be at least dozen in to-
nights party. Among them is young
Irish peer, Just come into his successio on,
and already going it headlong; a brace OF
up country squireens, absolutely freight
ed with gold: the old fool Of Spanlard
that we cleaned out once before, but who
has Just got fresh remittances from the
Indies, and Is crazy for another glimpse
of you; real Shropshire lord, without O
shilling, but bringing with him regular
treasure ship in tow of course, with On
understa anding as to his percentage: and
then, again"
aThat will do, Alphonse; believe !
don't care for any more particulars" she
interrupted, drawing her hand across hel
face. Isn't 1t late9 am little faint.
No wonder, for am sure you ate nc
luncheon at the station" said he. And
might have known better than to bore
you with such stupid particulars. You
sole care should be to smile and smile
and be'--the dear, dazzling, bewilderinf
little Calypso that you are, just as here.
tofore. whilst evoke the rain of ducatf
with my Midas touch.
Il know my part and shall play it,
was her low, bitter reply, as she arose.
"Come, then, said he, also rising but
cheerfully. we will just take glanc,
at the preparations, and then 60 out foi
our dinner. The air will do you good
Several hours after this, and business
had begun in earnest in the spiders par.
1or Of the De Mauleons.
1t must be confessed that the opening
scenes were of brilliant and seductive
character.
The superb dining-room was blaze O.
light. The banqueting board was q mar
vel of the fashionable caterers skill ant
elegance, when accompanied by q cart
blanche as to regardlessness Of expense
The dozen or more guests, encircling tn
perfectly provided, gorgeously decorated
mahogany, felt themselves in o specie
OF delicious dream. The perfectly traine,
servants glided from guest to guest. lik
veritnble sprites Of an enchanted feast
their footballs sinking noiselessly in tn
deep-tufted carpeting upon which the
txod. AZ
Even the rattle Of knives and forks an
the touching Of glasses seemed subdue
To sort Of hushed, fairy like tinkling, i
accordance with the general air OF en-
chantment that prevailed. Soft strain
Of music from an unseen source adde
their charms. The pictures on the walls
the statues in the corners, the damas
hangings, cleaned.
1t was sympos um Of Parisian perfec
tion, and combining all the luxuriou
suggestions of the Present, likewise Q
Babylonian belongings.
am under o magician's 3 spell mus
shake it Oft" at last cried one OF th
y,Ioafa 4 awaythv old Suaniard. raisin