The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-10
THE BANKERS CRIME
Diamond Cut Diamond
BIZ NATHAN D. URNER.
CHAPTER xvIII.-Continued.)

CHAPTER xvIII.-Continued)
The guests, who had enjoyed them
selves vastly from eleven in the morning,
the hour at which they had assembled
we're now in the midst of the luncheon,
which was capitally served, regardless oi
expense, and forming fitting top-dress.
ing to the enjoyment of well-seasoned
day.
aNo-not another glass of wine at pres
ont, not even with you, Madame Ronce-
Vile" Lord Squanderall was saying, in q
loud, boyish voice, as the dessert was be-
ing brought on. Cad! but Your luncheon
Is jolly one, Boncourt. What suggested
the idea of that minstrel feature to your"
Il shall plagiarize it at the very next
;shing that I attempt at The Beeches,
BROKE in Sir Harry. Its q stunning
Aovelty!"
@But neither of you can. .plagiarize the
marvellous imp who is presiding over it,
rn venture to say" said Boncourt, laugh
Ang. And would you believe it? 1t is to
fthe imp's suggestion, and to his alone,
esst H,s you are indebted for the novelty it.
/ You don't say so2" said Squanderall.
1t is an odd little creature. Where did
you pick him up?"
=. Oy buo ucIcoI CudAS0-Ao AAoy oO ooAe
20 have blown hither from the other side
of the world"
He shall dance me another of his
breakdowns, as you call them, right of,
fat all events" said Sir Harry, signing
70 the minstrel. by Jove! there must
Do no end to the seductiveness OF these
Yankee minstrels. Don't you think 80.
Noel7"
Noel nodded in the affirmative, but, to
Sell the truth, he secretly looked upon the
feature of the entertainment that was
nnder discussion as in questionable taste,
though he had not failed to enjoy himself
ON the whole.
=, Squanderall, who had been deeply i'm
pfessed with Miss Alworths beauty from
The very first, was now receiving low
voiced sketch of her history from the
smiling lips of Madame Ronceville, a,
whose left hand he was seated; and his
face took on o look of positive amazement
rs he was being informed that the young
lady WEE probably sfianced to the old
lawyer who was doing the agreeable at her
slbow.
-But, Lord! you can't mean it, you
4now?" gasped the young man.
Adele nodded and laughed, as she
1esched out her fair arm to drink wine
with her affianced, who was sitting di-
kectly opposite.
{. -Wny, it's an outrage, you know" broke
.put Squanderall. Talk about Beauty
and the Beast-whatl that squatty,
;Nrinkled, knotted-up little money-bag?
fThe deuce! It's like wedding skylark
10 toad!"
4 what is, my lord?" asked Noel, with
Aaugh.
~f'll give you the point after while, "
replied Squanderall, who had spoken
Aouder than he had intended.
say, Boncourt, are we to have some
yards presently2" asked Sir Harry, who
had been gambling with Squanderall half
the night before at the bedside of his in
iuIed cousin, and could still think of but
little else.
-Oh, yes, by all meansl" broke in sew
aral young men in breath.
Anything you desire, of course" said
Boncourt, Though neither my sister nor
Fever countenance excessive high play"
3 He had felt his way cautiously in the
Highcombe society thus far, and was
looked upon by most as rather given to
prudence and correct living,
Z. Never mind the stakes, SO long as it's
ocarte or hazard said Lord Squander-
1ll, who then quilted his seat and strolleG
down the table to chance the effects of
live lords affability upon Miss Alworth's
ssmperament.
y. II shall content myself with billiards,
H I can secure an eligible opponent"
said Noel. who never gambled.
J Adele can match you in that, as in
other things the reverse Of antagonistic,
Naid Poncourt, exchanging a significant
Riance with his sister. She beat the
Countess de Be!levieu in Par.s last win:
shall be charmed. What! and you
really play billiards, Adele2" said Noel,
hooking over to her in some surprise.
yes; it is becoming fashionable in both
France and Germany" she replied. Il
am glad that you do not take to gaming
naturally. as so many Of your countrymen
do. Noel"
Z cit is O pitfall that I have resolved
never to stumble into," said the young
man, gravely. 1T was only the other day
that read in newspaper of new and
fascinating method Of gambling which
some foreigners have recently introduced
in London; but, SO far from being tempt
cd, it caused me to be more disgusted
with gambling in the abstract than ever
before"
Is that the extract you wanted to read
10 me on Saturday evening"" said Adele,
With ill-concealed eagerness; for she had
taken note of his wearing the same gar
nents now as upon that occasion. How
perverse I was, not to listen! Of course
you must have destroyed the newspaper
long ago?"
mo, have not; it is still in my pocket"
said Noel, calmly producing o carelessly.
folded newspaper from the left-hand in
side pocket of his coat.
Let me take it, that may read tbs nv
ticle q, NY leisure" said Adele, reaching
crer to him.
It was, ikswise, critical moment for
Boncourt, who was looking on with an
anxiety that he could hardly disguise.
:, CHAPTER XIX.
pAFFLED sCHfMEs.
sNo,S said Noel, laushtno,.:y, withhold
ing the newspaper from the outstre.ched
hand, ut is SO short I prefer to read it
aloud to you. 1t is all about an exposure
of the fashionable quarters Of Monsieur
and Madame dc Mauleon, which threaten
I'D to even undermine the gambling clubs
Of their prestige" And he even began to
unfold the journal
=. Watt! how provoking you are!" ex-
claimed Adele, reddening, as, regardless
of etiquette in her excitement, she half
arose, and reached over so far as to clutch
. corner of the paper.
Inconsistent you've said repeatedly
Won I1keo to hear me read cried the