The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-15

K
No : being taken up by rooms
~ q passages, and a conserva'
q tory pertaining to 'th!
dwelling. There was one other story anc
an attic. the windows of the former OF
the seaward side being provided with
uuaintly carved, unsafe-looking bal.
comics, half f-curtained by ivies.
The house occupied the center of hnt
old garden, whose massive iron entrance
gates were iealously closed after business
hours; and q deep-set rear gate openeo
into an unfrequented lane, which was
Likewise fronted by the stables of the es.
tablishment.
Upon q certain bright summer after.
noon Mr.. Gilbert Marlowe sat medita-
lively in his private Office.
He was q full-bodied, close -shaven,
stern -visaged man of five or six and fifty
with plentiful iron-gray hair, and re-
markably shaggy eyebrows. from which
his gray eyes habitually looked forth,
with either apparent lack-luster uncon-
Germ, pitiless coldness, or irritable fash
ings.
Banking hours had been over q short
time, and all the clerks had gone home
save; old Mr. Alworth, the bookkeeper,
WHO was still plodding at his high desk
just beyond the dividing rail near which
the banker was sitting.
Presently Mr.. Marlowe called out, per-
emptofily:
Now, Alworth. few words with you.
d you please"
Mr.. Alworth, who was q sad-faced,
dropping little old man, several years his
employers senior, and with dreamy ex-
preston in his watery eyes, passed with
alacrity through little gate in the divid-
ing rail, and stood submissively before
the other.
Yes, Mr.. Marlowe," said he.
Mr.. Marlowe glanced through the upper
part of little rear window near at hand,
WHICH gave him glimpse of some plant s
in Tie adjoining conservatory, and seemed
at loss bow to begin what he was intent
upon saying. But his hesitation was over
In an instant.
"Ahl Your month will be up on Mon
day, Alworth, will it not?" said he, clear
ing his throat, and riveting his cold look
ON the old man"
Certainly, Mr.. Marlowe."
We'll, you must have OWNED the
shange have been for some time medi-
ating, Alworth; shall no longer require
your services"
ui' Ai"o1tn eeeAeo' 1o oeoo@ :,
stunned.
MY son, Noel, has just completed his
twenty-frst year." Mr.. Marlowe went on,
calmly. An initiative spell of a twelve
month or so at your desk yonder will
lnure him 70 the business application that
is the foundation of all commercial and
financial success. You can call your
-onth up tonight, if you choose. Alworth.
The o,,nce! I'm not the man to be a
stick,er for tns additional days work you
still owe me. No, no, nv no means. Pay
Syourself what is jle you, maze --oe neces=
sary entry, and call it square.
-Y-e-s, Mr.. Marlowo ,altered the
other. -.Yor.-you are "; very vdso generous, to
De -; but then Mr.. Noel will not be
.eady to take hold at once, sir, will he?"
Not Immediately. He will naturally
6rst want to get we'll over with this mar
riage Of his with Madame Ronceville, the
settlements for which are to be arranged
and signed here this afternoon. Then,
of course, shall have to accord him q
reasonable period for his honeymoon;
that is to be expected. You know. But,
in the meantime, shall undertake my
self to pull through with the duties
that have heretofore been fulfilled by
gou. I shall manage it somehow, with
Archer's assistance; no doubt of that"
MIR. Alworth's head had sunk on his
breast, and he was breathing labori-
pusly, while his hands were slightly
clenched.
so, then," he said, in low, con.
strained voice, 1you-you wont want me
any more?"
Mr.. Marlove looked up, in real or pre-
tended surprise.
Haven't I said so?' said he. And isn't
that enough?"
mo, Mr.. Marlowe, it is not enough"
exclaimed the old man, flashing up with
ssudden spirit. You are rich, sir, while
lam po&-you are fourishing, while /
am broken down-but, after all these
years of service and suffering in your be-
half, you have Lot the moral right, Sir, to
fling me aside, like disused and worn
out tool?"
Moral right? service and suffering? re-
peated the banker, with increased sur
prise and some irritation. Pooh! here's
an anomaly, TO be sure-nothing short of
nm anomaly! Mr.. Alworth, you forget
yourself.
IF forget myself. sir, don't forget
'.A past!" cried the old clerk, almost
g., II don't forget, sir, that eight
cen Years ago the unu.~ W .-.e e nrn was
Alworth, Marlowc & Co., md III: !, Sir,
was its chief partner, with more money
invested IN u Ian YOU and your rascal OF
q Cor put together. No, sir. And ]
don't forget the cruel, sweeping forgery
m the London bankers, by which l was
suddenly left penniless, and my beautiful
cottage, Jasmine Lodge, sold out over
nv head. Oh, sir, that past is engraved
on my memory in letters OF inetfaceable
6rel"
BOUNDS! man, are you crazy?" ez.
claimed Mr.. Marlowe, as the old man
came to g trembling and passionate
pause. Who doubts your memory, o.
who cares for ii? Did / steal you1
money!"
Il don't say you did, sir-I have neve'
said SOL" continued Alworth. with con
tinued bitterness. But do not forget
sir, that you induced your cousin, Jaspe
Marlowe- the presumable forger -b
every means in your power to fee abroat
to seek the rameless exile from whicl
he has never returned-and thus lost m
nv only chance of effecting compromise
and recovering ut least portion OF m
eighteen thousand pounds.
HHumph! the honor of the NARROW
name, sir, the honor of the name!"
whether captured or not, hadn't tn
boasted name already been dishonore
by him2 But, weak and vacillating a
he was, he would never have deserte
wife and child, and vanished into the IN
known, but for your rersuasions and II
ducements. No. sir, never! nor do l1o
get that. directly after l was beegareI
and forced to accept the humble subord1
nate position here, which ! have lille
- oil fhnaa