The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-29
TIE BANKERS CRIME;
Diamond Cut Diamond.
RY NATHAN D. URNER.
CHAPTER xXxvI.-fContinued).

ming hanQ is mine, anu Qare uOt sdCll-
Zee a card We will return to Jasmine
Lodge in triumph tomorrow. The mar
riaee-day shall be named then, without
an hours delay. Gilbert Marlowe-and
Croak, too, for that matter-shall know
and feel my power then!"
why not ut once?" cried Adele, with
IN eager flush. Why linger here and
continue these risky schemes another in
Stant?"
Boncourt shook his head.
mo; few hours delay will make no
difference" said he. My arrangements
for tonight ere already made.
-Oh, AIphonse, forego them, entreat
you!' she continued, clasping her hands.
mo steps are taken that cannot be now
recalled. You yourself say that we are
now secure. Why. then, remain here, at
risk and danger, in this miserable, un-
worthy trade? Do give it up, and at'once,
Alphonse.
Il tell you it cannot be-" said he, al
most harshly. The guests are selected;
hey will come; they will bring an abund-
snce of money; will not disappoint
them, nor myself either"
mot for my sake?"
Not even for that, Adele. Why, you
are childish! Is not your beauty the first
sttraction? Without it the card-tables
would be empty, the roulette-ball notion
less"
A blush of shame-bright and deep to
the roots of her hair-sutfused her beau
tiful face.
-Ciel! Should I not know that by this
timer" she murmured, brokeniy. "A
month ago l would have gloried In 1t.
Now I think of Noel and I shudder.
Spare me, Alphonse."
Remember your agreement, said he,
angrily. After this one last venture
you are free. shall keep my promise.
See that you adhere to yours.
Still she persisted.
what If should tell you Of certain
pres entiments of evil that have had
that I am still having" said she, hoarse-
ly. -Alphonse, it is true. feel in
stinctively that evil-defeat. perchance
utter ruin-will come out of to-nights
doings, if persisted in. OF course, 1
will, I must, keep my promise, II you
hold me to it; but, Alphonse, pause-be
warned in time
He burst into . contemptuous laugh.
Warnings, presentiments, and for mel"
he Knocked. Adele, scarcely know you;
you are baby"
She made gesture of despair, and
sank back in her seat without another
word.
pressed, said he, in a much gentler tone.
Try to overcome it."
Say no more Of it, Alphonse. You see
I am resigned. Who are to come tonight
how many-what sort?"
Now you are yourself" said he, with
sudden animation. Adele. it will be the
best, the most profitable party have ever
had here. Had Rollingstone continued
to work with me, I could not have sue
ceeded better than have to-day"
why name that wretch? Is he not
finally disposed Off"
without q doubt. I merely inquired
ut his address, in q sort of vague hope
that he might have been found dead in
his bed. No such luck for Us, Of course;
but he is in fair way, perhaps, to meet
even that consummstion. He was drink
ing hard with strangers all the morning
Rt his inn. and had drifted out some
where"
"Pah! Will you never continued"
Yes, yes. Well. I met that same young
fellow who assisted me once before-the
swell who was turned out of his club for
false play-and he was prime decoy.
There will be at least q dozen in to-
nights party. Among them is young
Irish peer, Just come into his succession,
and already going it headlong; brace of
up. country squireens, absolutely freight
ed with gold; the old fool of Spanlard
that We cleaned out once before, but who
has Just got fresh remittances from the
Indies, and is crazy for another glimpse
of you; real Shropshire lord, without a
shilling, but bringing with him regular
treasure ship in tow of course, with an
underst nding as to his percentages: and
then, again"
That will do. Alphonse; I believe
don't care for any more particulars, she
interrupted, drawing her hand across her
face. Isn't it late? I am little faint.
NO wonder, for am sure You ate no
luncheon at the station" said he. And
] might have known better than to bore
you with such stupid particulars. Your
sole cafe should be to smile and smile,
and be'-the dear, dazzling, bewildering
little Calypso that you are, just as here
tofo:e. whilst evoke the rain of ducats
With my Midas touch"
i know my part and shall play it,
vas her low, bitter reply, es she arose.
Come, then, said he, also rising, but
cbeerfully. I'VE will Just take glance
- ZIG p2Spo4 9tAOAos dio eASa ~ SQt &oA
our dinner. The air will do you good"
Several hours after this and business"
had begun in earnest in the spiders par
lor of the De Mauleons.
J. must be confessed that the opening
scenes we're of brilliant and seductive
character.
.-Etee superb dining-room was blaze OF
light The banqueting board was mar
vel of the fashionable caterers skill and
sIegance. when accompanied By corte
blanche as to regardlessneSs Ct eXpenEe.
The dozen or more guests, eneircling the
perfe city provided, so:lG6usly decorated
mahogany. felt themselves in o species
of delicious Dire IN. The perfectly trained
serv: nts glided from guest to guest like
Eeritable sprites of AN enchanted feast,
their footballs sinking no;selessly in the
deep-:ufted carpeting upon which they
trod.
Even the rattle Of knives and forks and
the touching of glasses seemed sutdued
to sort of hushed, fairy like tinkling, in
accordance with the general air of en-
chsntment that prevailed. Soft strains
of music from an unseen source added
their charms. The pictures on the walls,
the statues in the corners, the damask
bancinps. cleaned
1t was q sympos um OF Partisan perles.
tien, and combining all the luxurious
suggestions Of the Present, likewise OF
Babylonian belongings.
Il am under a magician's SPELL must
shake it off" at last cried one of the
guests, e swarthy old Spaniard, raising
his goblet aloft. -MessieGrs, cavaliers,
gentlemen, we must break the spell by
propiti ting offerings to its peerless orr.