The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-22
THE BANKERS CRIME !;
Diamond Cut Diamond.
BY NATHAN D. URNER.
CHAPTER II.-(Continued).

paused, and, without any preliminaries,
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 absurd" he ex-
claimed, when she had finished. Why,
it has never been the intention that
should occupy Mr.. Alworth's desk, and
nv father knows it. AS for my ultl-
nately becoming partner in the bank,
that is q different thing. No, no; my
father must have had another reason than
this for 30 poorly requitine long and
faithful services. depend upon It"
MY father mentioned no other reason
as being given by Mr. Marlowe," said
Gwendoline. :.
There must have been one, reverthe-
less. Trust me, Gwenny, for discovering
it before Monday, and inducing him to
reconsider this piece of injustice"
He prasped 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,
I trust you SO much that I am already
feeling better Come, shall we not 60
back2 Your beautiful Adele will be grow
ing impatient"
SGwenny, what do you think of Adele?'
he asked.
She looked away from him as she an
Ewered, unofectedly:
Il think she is the most beautiful and
graceful creature I ever saw"
There was no denying that, when actu-
ally under the spell of Ade.e's beauty,
Noel was wholly unaware that he did not
truly love her. Then she could fasclnate
him, and be did not consider-perhaps he
did not even suspsct-the difference IN
their ages, with the preponderance on the
wrong side. But when out of her infu-
ence and alone with Gwendolire, he ex-
perienced change Of feeling that was as
indefnable as it was uncomfortable.
Every one says that; know her beauty
is indisputable," said he, little pettish-
ly. But what do you think OF my en-
gagement with herr"
Country bred as she was, Miss Alworth
was not childishly transparent. Search
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 I 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 OF
woman-especially 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 at the door OF
the summer-house accompanied by q tall,
distinguished looking gentleman, and
followed at sort of dog-trot by thick
set, slovenly sttired. bow-legged Little
old man, whose chief facial characteris-
tics were pair Of deep-set, glit.erine
green eyes, anu an euOIHcubs dAmOoS
toothless mouth.
Mr.. Marlowe's companion was Monsieur
Boncourt, Adele's brother; his follower
was Mr.. Croak, the wealthiest and most
successful attorney st-law in Highcombe
perhaps in all Cornwall.
Mr. Marlowe looked disturbed, no
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 bonhonsie,
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 q dead
pause. Then his face darkened with such
upmistakable annoyance and dislike that
poor Gwendoline stood not upon the Or
der of her going at all, but after NUT
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 " As made aware OF
q series of short, padding footsteps fol.
lowing her along the ereveled path. She
turned to perceive that she was being
pursued by Mr.. Croak.
Stop, Miss Alworth, stop, I beg OF
you!" he painted, coming up to her and
trying to take her hand. Something
vitality important-a deeply interesting
case, assure you! Yet I'll plead 1t on
your own merits. Will you let NE e1.
anime you'll mean, speak to you alone,
for few minutes?"
HIS manner would have amused her al
another time, but now it somewhat amazed
her.
NO, sir; I will do nothing of the kind'
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 he well.
She then asked if Mr.. Mariowe had as.
signed any other reason for her fathers
dismissal beyond wanting his place for
Noel.
Yes, yea" said Mr.. Alworth, peevish-
ly. II called after you to tell you. but
you scampered off like q colt"
But here I am again." said she, smil-
ing. What was his other reason?"
1T was-it was that Noel had fallen II,
love with you, Gwenny, and that-that
you and had led him on"
What"
She was confronting him, as pale as
ashes, and with blazing Dyes. Then the
hot blood mantled her face and neck, and
the tears came.
-Oh, father" she sobbed; 'and You
kept this back from me? You permitted
me, while knowing this, 20 crave a boon
nf Noa12n