The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-29
CHAPTER v.
THE BROTHER OF ADELE,

III audible expressions,
. NEnl as he continued to
# SlEy pace to and fro. -
JNS0 "A good riddance!"
M he chuckled. by
W. Jovel the old fell
~ lows presence has
been o sort Of constant reproach, not to
say possible menace, to me for years-a
uort of deaths head at my golden ban.
suet. as it were-and Low shall be rid
of him for good. I begin to breathe
freer already. Wonder if he'll act up to
that hint gave him about his daughter
and old Croak. He's fool If he doesn't.
Now to examine the old fellows ac-
pcunts!" And, passing into middle
compartment, he drew out the heavy
books, opened, and began to examine
them, while muttering to himself.
fN A few moments later, however, there
xas the sound Of q door being opened
and shut, followed by steps in the narrow
passage at the side of the windowed and
paneled partition, and then q smart rap
ON the rear Office door.
There they are!" thought the banker,
sheerfully responding to the summons;
, but, as he opened the door, MIR. Boncourt
alone entered.
sGlad to see you, Boncourt," said Mr..
Aarlowe, shaking hands, and signing the
newcomer to q seat at large, round,
paper-littered center table, that stood
opposite to the vault. Where's Adele?"
{. -<She's in the garden with Noel, said
Nr. Boncourt, removing glossy silk
Hat, seating himself with an easy. assured
mir, and slowly peeling from his white,
vomanish hands the elegant kid gloves,
without which he never walked abroad.
sI told them ve would summon them
when everything was' in readiness, Mr.
NarloSs.
2 Unlike his sister, he spoke with slight
1y foreign accent, but his features bore
strong family resemblance to hers, though
cast in heavier, stronger mold. Ihls
Is tantamount to saying that he was
handsome, the only other difference being
that his complexion, unlike hers, was the
reverse of fair. But his face was abso-
lntely impenetrable, and he had eyes, q
mustache. and short, curling hair that
were. as black as night.
His dress was so faultless as to suggest
the handiwork of an American tailor, and
the suppression WAS somehow afforded
that the slender, flexible proportions, so
admirably clothed, might possess on oc-
casion unexpected strength and activity.
In years. he might have been anywhere
between forty five and ffty-fve.
Mr.. Marlowe looked little surprised.
why, everything is in readiness" said
he. Il can send q servant to Croaks
slice and have him here in jitfy."
Z But it's necessary that should inter
view you first, as the Americans say"
said Mr.. Boncourt, placidly. 1T refers
30 the amount of the settlements, you
know."
Mr.. Msrlowe looked annoyed.
This was agreed upon between u.s.
sAid he, with some stiffness.
true" \
And I was to settle ten thousand
pounds on my son; while you, in consid-
GRAFTON of the marriage affording you an
,eptrapce into MY sons social sphere
wero to settle twice as much on your SIS
ter."
Mr.. Boncourt laughed amusedly.
3 Exactly" said he. How we'll you
state the easel"
"Thanks! Well, what now?"
.Peste! it's mere trihe. 7 simply find
that have been out in my calculations.
{ I can, in fact, only settle half that amount
ON Adele. which will be ten thousand"
Il won't listen to it," exclaimed Mr..
Narlcwe, his whole manner hardening.
Sir, this is breach of agreement-not
ito say breach Of faith! such a reduction
IA full moiety! I won't entertain it for
an instant!"
Yes, you will"
The tone was lazy, but assured. Mr..
Marlowe hesitated in o still angrier re-
ply. Still he was not afraid.
Il tell you, will not, sil:" he contin-
ned. What! was not the difference in
the settlements NJ ore than made up in the
advantages held out to you? My son,
Just of age. is finely educated, we'll con-
nected, nun: bering among his intimates
Sir Harry Wildinq, Lord Squanderall and
other noblemen. Your sister. widow,
much older than he, and. in spite of her
beauty, with no one knows what anteced-
ents. And yourself"
Bopcourt interrupted him with another
.good.n atured laugh. accompanied, how
ever, by a sign to silence.
And myself-suppose you let me speak
for myself, Marlowe," said he, lightly. I
nan improve on your style. excellent as it
~as-in its way. For myself, then-with
no connections whatever; q Frenchman
by birth, but cosmopolite by choice; a
Misunderstanding you would call it IN
ahia sccursed country-almost from my
Soyhood; and determined aspirant-for
n gamblers reasons--to those very asso-
stations which my sisters marriage 10
your SON will procure for me. SO much
for myself. SSWhat of it? 1t has Leen no
secret to you from the very first. have
been perfectly frank with you. will be
still franker, und avow that my heretofore
frenkness was dictated solely by policy.
From the first you understood my scheme,
Why did you take it up?"
Mr. Marlowe hemned and hawed with
out making a reply.
Come; your motives for taking up my
yschems while knowing my character"
Mr.. Boncourt went on, pleasantly. i
will tell you. You merely thought Of the
twenty thousand pounds promised as my
sisters dvwry. 1t Wis q merceuary un-
-derstanding between us; nothing more
nor less.
Red in the face. Mr.. Marlowe was about
to interrupt, when he was motioned to
silence.
"A moment more, continued Mr.. Bon
court. You have alluded to my sisters
name in o manner approximating invidi..
business. You placed yourself in personal
peril when you did So"
Sir, sir!"
(. BE quiet. OF all the world. Mr.. Mar