Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-20

eupFors as We pass through the ball By
tbs 1uy, what can have become Of Croak?'
The lawyer had mysteFiously taken his
departure.
@He may have swallowed himself" OBJ.
served Boncourt, recalling the lawyers
chief facial exaggeration.
Our contemplated business, without
him, would be like Hamlet, minus the
Dane, said Noel
EGt at this moment, the lawyer. the
causs of whose disappearance VIII doubt
less be recalled by the reader, came in
view, down one Of the shadier walks.
THE deuce, Croakl little more, and
you would actually have made us wait,
said Marlove, peevishly.
"A French monarch got of that before
you were born, said Croak. Business ID
is your sphere, MariOve; stick to it,"
But where have you been?"
1--we been endeavoring, replied Croak,
in grave, matter-of-fact way, 'to make
love to Miss Alwoxth.
Adele and Noel burst out laughing. but
the banker only smiled thoughtfully,
while Boneourt turned his measuring look
on the misshapen lawyer, with renewed
interest.
The business of drawing up the settle
ment papers, and signing and attesting
them, took little longer than the banker
had predicted. Neither Adele nor Noel
paid much attention to their contents,
but occupied most of the time with chat
ting agreeably, while the young man ex-
planned the uses of the articles of office
furniture to her, especially exhibiting the
great fre-proof money vault, inside and
out, with good deal of pride.
why, it's roomy enough for dungeon
m there!" said Adele, when they had come
out of the vault, and were standing, apart
from the rest, in the narrow passage on
which it opened. why are the great iron
doors hidden away in this cramped place,
instead of opening right out on the Office?
/ suppose these rear windows separate us
from the conservatory One might peer
through them, and know of all the treas
ure that was being stored away"
But the window-panes, you see, are
thickly coated over with paint" said
Noel. "As for the iron doors opening in
this way, can't tell you OF the original
object. The vault was built long before I
was born"
The lawyer alone, in drawing up the
forms in accordance with certain amend
ed memoranda handed him by Mr.. Mar
lowe, seemed to remark the dimunition OF
the amount settled upon the lady. he had
known of the original intention, and,
moreover, the change was apparent
enough in the bankers rough notes, where
the written number ten" had been rather
freshly substituted for twenty as prefix
to the thousand" But even he made no
verbal comment. He merely looked odd
ly, first at the banker, who seduously
avoided his scrutiny, and then at Bon
court, who returned the stare with lazy
indifference; and then went on with his
writing, with an air of total unconcern.
The papers were at last executed, and
the business at an end.
did You tell Miss Winford about the
tear" Mr.. Marlowe asked of Noel, as the
party were quitting the Office.
Yes. She promised to have it ready
by half past five, and it is now nearly six,
But here is Miss Winford."
They were all standing at the entrance
OF the rear passage, leading through the
conservatory. AS he spoke, and as the
rest of the party turned in that direction,
the housekeeper was seen standing there.
She might almost have stepped out from
in among the plants and fower-pot that
were crowded directly behind the painted
over panes of the rear ofice-window, had
hiding place been afforded by them,
which, however, did not seem possible.
Il chanced to overhear Mr.. Noels last
words, said Miss Winford, with slight
courtesy. Supper will be found awaiting
you in the grapevine arbor."
What shocking Disagreement your
housekeeper has underground" whispered
Adele to her lover, as the party were pass
ing into the garden.
@Yes, poor, dear woman!" replied Noel.
But can remember her only as from
my earliest recollections, and therefore
only think of her goodness"
At this juncture, second mysterious
disappearance Of the lawyer was noted.
But even Mr.. Marlowe only remarked,
this time, that, If Oroak did not turn up
before the table was cleared, he should
go home hungery.
They found the table laid in the arbor,
and more substantially provided for than
had been looked for.
The coachman, and green grocer 8
small boy, both freshly white-aproned for
the occasion, were in attendance. There
was more varied and generous accom-
paniment Of wines than had often accord
ed with the bankers ideas Of hospitality.
A soft sea wind was cooling the air. after
ths heat of the day, and the repast was
soon agreeably under way.
When the dishes were being removed,
and fresh wines, with cigars for the gem
tlemen, brought on, Noel remembered
something of interest in the country
newspaper that he wished to read to
Adele and Boncourt.
I must have mislaid it," said he, after
vain search of his pockets. @Ah, now
remember having laid it on the table in
the Office. will run and get it.
Never mind, at present" said Adele.
detaining him, by playful gesture of
her fan. 1t is growing too dark for you
to read, without straining your handsome
eyes. See; the fire-fies are beginning to
twinkle in the gloom. want some, mon
Gn.S
Some whata" said Noel, with puzzled
look.
4Some fre-fies, to be sure; some fire.
flies, and flowers, too! quickl catch and
Gull them for mel"
He saw that she was in earnest, 80, like
the dutiful lover that he was, he laugh
ingly arose and was soon chasing through
the garden, hat in hand, in pursuit Of the
fret flies.
He was presently, however, willing
enough to delegate this interesting pas
time to the servants, whose nimble efforts
proved much more successful than his
own, and to turn his own attention to the
Aower-g gathering, exclusively.
In little while Adele had lying on the
table before her q heap Of pretty blooms,
together with large number Of the cap
tured 6re-fies, which she further se-
cured from instructive, rambling by i'm
v,riannin0 undar ON invarfad yp5roL ~ aso