Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-13
THE BANKERS CRIME ;
Diamond Cut Diamond.
BY NATHAN D. uRNER,


paused, and, without any preliminariss,
related to him what her father had told
her.
Noel listened with an interest that
quickly deepened into an air Of troubled
concern.
1T is cruel-it is absurdi" he ex-
claimed. when she had finished. why.
Il has never been the intention that 1
should occupy Mr.. AlWorth's desk, and
my father knows IT, As for nv ulti-
mately becoming q partner In the bank.
that is q different thing. No, no; my
father must have had another reason than
this for SO poorly requiting long and
faithful services. depend upon 1t.
My father mentioned no other reason
as being given by Mr.. Marlowe,' said
Gwendoline.
There must have been one, neverthe-
less. Trust me, Gwenny, for discovering
It before Monday, and inducing him to
reconsider this piece of injustice"
He grasped both her hands, and
spoke SO confidently, that she looked up
with renewed hope and cheerfulness in
her face.
"Thank you, Noel; You are SO good yes,
/ trust You SO much that am already
feeling better. Come, shall We not 90
backf Your beautiful Adele will be grow
ing impatient"
@Gwsnny, what do you think of AdeleH"
he asked.
She looked away from him as she an
swered, unaffectedly:
Il think she is the most beautiful and
graceful creature / ever saw"
There was no denying that, when actu-
ally under the spell of Adele's beauty,
Noel was wholly unaware that he did not
truly love her. Then she could fascinate
him, and he did not otconsider perhaps he
did not even suspsct-the difference in
their ages, with the preponderance ON the
wrong side. But when ont of her infiu-
ence and alone with Gwendoline, he ex-
perienced . change Of feeling that was as
inde6nable as it was uncomfortable.
!, Every one says that; know her beauty
is indisputable, said he, a little pettish-
". But what do you think Of my en-
gagement with her?S
Country bred as she was, Miss Alworth
was not childishly transparent. Search
them as he would, the clear eyes which
she turned upon him were expressive Of
nothing but surprise.
why, Noel, what else should think
than to congratulate your" said she. Il
feel quite sure that you should consider
yourself most fortunate" And then she
moved away.
Noel bit his lip. He had vaguely hoped
that she would in some way manifest
regret.
At all events" he muttered, loud
enough for her to hear, as he followed her
along the path, Il hope my father will be
satisfied after the settlements are signed.
He had left me no peace. And if l have
loved Adele at all, it was only after he
had arranged the match with Boncourt
Gwendoline affected not to hear. She
could not but have contempt for man or
woman especially q man--who would
consent to marry without love; and she
did not wish to be contemptuous Of Noel
Marlowe.
They found Adele awaiting their re-
turn. apparently in good-humor. But be-
fore she had time to complete some merry
bantering remarks, voices were heard ap-
preaching. Gwendoline would have hur-
ried away at once, but just then Mr.. Mar
lowe made his appearance ct the door of
the summer house, accompanied by tall,
distinguished looking gentleman, and
followed ct sort of dog-trot by thick
set. slovenly attired. bow-legged little
old man, whose chief facial characteris-
tics we're pair Of deep-set, glittering
green eyes, and an enormous, almost
t0othless mouth.
Mr. Marlowe's companion was Monsieur
Boncourt, Adele's brother; his follower
was Mr.. Croak, the wealthiest and most
successful attorney-at-law in Highcombe
perhaps in all Cornwall.
Mr.. Marlowe looked disturbed, as
though his interview with one or the other
Of these gentlemen had been not alto
gether satisfactory. But, as he saw Adele
and Noel, he assumed an air Of bonh0nsie,
saying:
Come now, my dears; the papers are
already awaiting Your signatures. You
doubtless
His glance at this moment fell upon
Miss Alworth, and he came to dead
pause. Then his face darkened with such
unmistakable annoyance and dislike that
poor Gwendoline stood not upon the or
der of her going ct all, but, after mutt
tered commonplace or two to Adele, went
at once.
She breathed freer when again feeling
herself alone. But, as she was fastening
back to the house, she was made aware Of
series Of short, padding footsteps fol-
lowing her along the grayeled path. She
turned to perceive that she was being
pursued by Mr.. Croak.
Stop, Miss Alworth, stop, / beg Of
you'll he painted, coming up to her and
trying to take her hand. Something
vitally important deeply interesting
case, assure you! Yet III plead it on
your own merits. Will you let me ex-
anime you-I mean, speak to you alone,
for few minutes?"
His manner would have amused her at
another time, but nowit somewhat amazed
her.
i No, sir; will do nothing Of the kind!n
she exclaimed, with decisive stamp Of
her little foot
She sped away from him, and did not
pause until she again stood In her fathers
presence.
She lost no time in telling her father
what Noel had promised, and expressing
the hope that all would be well.
She then asked if Mr.. Marlowe had as
signed any other reason for her fathers
dismissal beyond wanting his place for
Noel.
Yes, yes. !" said Mr. Alworth, peevish-
". II called after You to tell you, but
you scampered OF like colt
But here am again, said she, smil-
4 ing. What was his other reason?"
It was--it was that Noel had fallen in
lore with you, Gwenny, and that that
you and had led him on.
Whatls
she was confronting him, as pale as
ashes. and with blazing eyes. Then the
hot blood mantled her face and neck, and
a &s.u.. itt