The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-29
Try US.
The first paesword?'
Fare la ne.
su,o uhoy purpoee1n

silently thrown open.
The guard at the staircase will cues.
tion YOU further" said the boy, in Low
soice, and he drew back, as the visitors
passed into the yard, with Rollingstone
In the lead.
IF Maurice shall have been warned
against me, it may be necessary to throt'
tie him." whispered the leader to Jasper.
who was at his elbow as they ascended
the steps Of back porch, the garden be-
np but dimly lighted Pass the word to
that Po;ns to hold himself In readiness
be is probably the best fighter in thu
party" -.
This was done, and then Rollingstone.
pulling down his hot over his eyes, open
ing door, found himself confronted by
Boncourt's valet at the foot of broad
staircase.
Interrog.tories and replies, somewhat
similar to those adopted at the gate, were
satisfactorily exchanged, and then the
party began to mount to the story above,
the sounds of feasting and merriment,
mingled with the monotonous sing-sonR
voice of croupier calling the points Of
roulette. coming louder and louder to
heir ears, through the closed door of the
iininp-room at the head of the steps, as
they ascended.
Scarcely, however, had they congre.
gated in the hallway before the door,
when Maurice came bounding up aftel
them. with scared, white face. He had
recognized Rollingstone, and now, with
the sudden recollection that the latte1
was no longer in favor with his master,
it occurred to him that all might not be
quite right.
wait, messieurs! will first have to ad-
wise nv master Of your coming" he was
exclaiming, in q good deal of hutter,
when he was silenced by the athletic
Poins' too-ready fist striking him under
The ear, and dashing him senseless upos
the tufted carpet.
This was effected with scarcely anJ
noise or scufling, and even had it been
corners would probably not have been be.
trayed, such was the confused sound Of
merriment going on within.
Drink, gentlemen, to the confusion OF
dull care!" was heard to call out clear
silvery voice from the interior, the sound
of which caused Noel to look up in sud.
den bewilderment. "A joyous life and
the chances of game. This be our motto
henceforth forever"
At that instant, Rollingstone noiseless-
ly opened the door, and gently pushed
Noel in upon the scene, the others q7iet.
ly following.
1t chanced that the intrusion was not
at once perceived. Boncourt could be
seen through the folding doors, intent
upon the operation Of the roulette table,
which was surrounded by several players
in the adjoining room; while Adele, who
was still at table with the rem mainder Of
the guests, happened TO be partly turned
away from the door, as it opened and
gave silent ingress to the unbidden
guests
She had risen from her velvet chair,
the goblet still raised on high in her lit.
tie hand, the bsnqueters we're hanging,
with poised glasses and enraptured looks,
upon her reckless words and smile; she
seemed the veritable divinity of bacchan.
allan rites.
Drink, gentlemen, drink" she cried,
sgain; and she would doubtless have re.
peated her reckless toast, but that, al
that instant, q cry of half -articulats
horror broke from Noel's lips.
She turned az if stung by serpent.
Then she shricked, the goblet fell from
her hard and was dashed in pieces. and.
white az marble, with staring eyes, and
parted lips. she staggered back, clutch
ing her chair for support.
Boncourt leaped into the room from tho
adjoining game. A single glance at his
sister and the intruders-at Noers horri.
fed, bewildered face. at Rollingstone's,
wreathed with triumphant mockery, at
Jasper's, calmly menacing, and at those
of the others, more or less expressive Of
amusement or astonishment-apprised
him Of the hopelessness Of the ruin that
had befallen.
The inborn, gladitorial desperation OF
the adventurer's character flashed to the
surface in an instant. He gathered him.
self together, crouchingly, like tigel
for its spring, with lowered head, con.
tracting eyes and quivering nostrils
Then, flashing out with hoarse, vergeful
cly, lie hurled himself in the direction oi
Rollingstone.
Both Calkins and Poins, however, were
too quick for him III their interposition
But this proved to be hardly necessary.
Af,er manifesting his superiority hJ
brushing them TO either side, like tho
merest feathers, GOncourt recovered hit
self. control as ii my magic, and only
hissed out TO Rollingstone as he turned
away:
Reptile, you know noe! lean bide my
t.me."
What" burst out Sir Harry, "the Bon.
cou,ts and the De DIauieons one and tie
same set! Cad? Noel, thank your stars
for tie escape you have had, instead OF
shivering there like ghost at day break.
Jerusalem just think Of it. But foi
this revelation that woman yonder might
have been YOUR wifel 1t is horrib e."
"Ha! You are right, Wilding; it is too
too horrible!" faltered Noel, rubbing his
eyes.
Adele was still standing, but in
dropping. shudder;ng attitude, with heI
arms stiff at her sides and be- heac
bowed.
"Alphonse, hide me somewhere kill
mel" she gasped, in thick, choking
voice.
Noe. seemed to be suddenly thrilled
through and through by q fierce gust of
indignation, though not altogether
against her.
'You-Rollingstone!' he exclaimed.
furiously upon she Captain.
do you mean to say that you knew OF
this-that you prepared this scene, this
humiliation for me, and-for that mlser-
able woman?"
Not altogether, was tie somewhat
reply, for the Captain seemed
to have been growing dazed and dull
from the moment OF his entrance into
the room.
You'll find that I spoke the truth
concerning the juggler, and that Bon
court, alias De Mauleon, yonder, has
your lost manuscript in his possession.
However, l knew that this revelation
or, rather, this disenchantmert - must
ensue ms a natural CONSEQUENCE.