The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-05
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPIEIS AIs
-IHAvE NO LONGER FATHER: YOU HAVE nc
1oNcER SoS"

-IHAvE NO LONGER A FATHER: YOU HAVE Nc
LONGER SON..
It is now about dusk in the evening oi
the same day, which is Friday, and yet,
though the incidents of our story have
barely covered space of six days, they
are already eliminating to their natural
and revealing close.
Gilbert Marlowe and Lawyer Croak are
seated in the private offse of the formers
banking establishment. Notwithstand-
ING that they have just dined lu1uriously,
they are both in decidedly morose and
uncertain state OF mind.
The bafaed and crestfallen Wormer has
but recently quilted their presence, aftel
recounting the miserable results of his
London machin atoms, besides affording
them several sufficiently disquieting hints,
to the effect that Boncourt is probably
ere this in possession of the long miss
ing and deeply incriminating piece Of
writing, which they have SO much reason
to dread, and fully prepared to make use
of it, as an expression of his power, with
but little delay.
Then, during the morning, the banker
had received telegram from Noel, partly
to the effect that he may be expected
home in the evening, but otherwise OF
such tone and nature as to occasion the
recipient both anger and alarm.
What can the young marplot have
found out, do you supposel" he had e1-
claimed, upon showing the dispatch to
Croak, who had chanced to be present
then, as now. "He says that he has found
out Adele's true character, and summarily
broken his engagement with her. Then
he adds that Boncourt has turned out to
be O common swindler and thief, who
has robbed him Of o remarkable and
accusatory paper that was in his possess
sion.
And he concludes by saying that he
will require of me-of me, his own
father, the insolent young coxcomh!-a
full explanation as to how I have con-
spired to entrap him into N arriage with
such q person as Adele, and divorced
vonaa ut that, knowing her to be such,
before he can, with self-respect, accord
me the duty and affection which has here
tofore been furnished me, as my due.
BOUNDS! Is the puppy beside himself
III cut him OFF with shilling"
mo, you won't, had been the lawyers
rather dogged reply; 'and, as for what
Noel had found out, it seems to me the
dispatch is explanatory enough in itself,
or We can supply its deficiencies. He has,
in the first place, all along had that tell.
tale paper in his possession; We have,
consequently, been altogether out in
accepting Wormer's ridiculous theory,
and We shall doubtless soon learn from
that Insufficient ass of the entire fail
ure of his Vaccinations against Jasper. !"
Yes, and my hundred pounds will have
' linn
ed, with groan.
Let me 20 on. Then Boncourt has,
by some sharp practice, flched the paper
from Noel, who had doubtless heretofore
mastered enough of its contents to lower
both you and me perceptibly in his es-
TEEN. Then in his turn Noel has like.
wise discovered the true character Of
Boncourt and his sister, has Indignantly
repudiatel her, as q consequence, and is
naturally not very gratifed with your
paternal conduct in the affair.
This is the whole thing in nutshell,
depend upon it. Results. easily enough
imagined: Noei coming back 10 high
combe in highly undutiful and un6lial
temper; Boncourt also coming back, to
press his advantage upon US, and es-
pecially upon you, in demanding the full
fillment Of your sons contract with
Adele, in spite Of everything, on pain OF
sealing your ruin and disgrace by pub
lication of the internal paper; aud, like
az not, Jasper also coming back (lf not
killed by Wormer's ruftians), perhaps
with legal assistance. to contribute his
share to the general upheaval. Oh, it
will be wakened wasps rest Tor both
! of us!"
Then Mr.. Marlowe had groaned, some
; liyely recrimi atoms had followed. and
these had been succeeded by painful
hours, whose anxiety and suspense we're
only to be aggravated by the ominous ar.
rival of Wormer. who had finally man