The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-29
CHAPTER xxXvuI.
DONCOURT AT BAY.


.Adele-for / will still call you once
more BY that .name-beyond doubt you
have deceived and wIopged me beyond
forgiveness, said Noel, in low, broken
tones, as he crossed the floor to where
she was reclining. But do not let me
feel utterly self abased in having known
you-in-in having deluded myself into
thinking that loved you. Therefore,
assure me, beseech you-assure me that
what that man has said is false; that you
are not 90 degraded as to have been
married to and divorced from such as hel"
She shivered convulsively, and her eyes
remained closed.
Il have loved you-God knows how I
love you still" she moaned.
"Spenk!" he commanded, sternly. DO
YOU refuse-are you unable-to give me
the assurance ,ask2"
sI-can-not!" she.screamed; and then,
VIII hnrst of wild. meaninnless laugh
ter, she went into q violent lit OF hys-
terics.
Noel recoiled, shocked and alarmed;
and the maid, with an indignant look at
him, .straightway wheeled the chair con-
tanning her mistress into the adjoining
cabinet, and closed the intervening door.
By this time the majority of the origi-
nal guests had slipped away, and the
nights business was hopelessly broken
up, only a few remaining out Of pure
curiosity.
BY Jove, Noel, but you we're altogether
too hard on the little womsn!" exclaimed
Boncourt, who stood by, perfectly self.
possessed, and smiling sardonically, with
J folded arms. In spite of your absurd
English prejudices, divorced woman is
as eligible for marriage here as in the
United States. Of course, you'll take q
more indulgent view Of it, since, as Adele
still loves you, the engagement is still
on"
Sir Harry burst into a derisiHe laugh,
which was echoed by his immediate COM
panions, with the exception OF Jaspee,
who had withdrawn somewhat apart from
the rest upon witnessing the retirement
of Rollingstone. Even Noel was more
ar less astounded at this unexpected
enron,e-y on the part OF tie isrepressible
Boncourt.
IL don't exactly understand, sir,
stammered the young man.
-Oh, but you will, though, in the course
of sober secoud-thoughts!" was the i'm
perturbable reply. The lady is my sis
ter, as you know"
Les, you uieSiCdAt.
do believe that much, indeed. though il
seems that one of her roles was TO
masquerade here and elsewhere as your
wife" cried Noel, Indignantly. After
what has occurred her family likeness 10
yourself would alone justify my repudia-
tion of that miserable woman from this
time henceforh. Of course, shall never
see her more"
You mistake, said Bonccurt. in low,
hissing tone that none but Noel could
hear. You will forget all this that you
have seen and heard. You will keep your
engagement with my 'ster, as originally
intended and speedily at that. You will
do this, or the Alternative will be your
fathers hopeless ruin and disgrace. Boy,
he is in nv power; have that upon my
person, a mere bit of writing, that en-
ables me to WELD his destiny fer good OF
ill., His fate will hang upon your keep
ing or breaking faith with Adele. Be-
ware!"
Noel received these menaces in spirit
that had scarcely been anticipated
-Hark to what this ruffan says, my
friends!" he cried, turning 10 Sir HAIRY
Wilding and the rest. He avows having
in his possession the paper of which
the juggler robbed me. What was our
original object in seeking this den?"
TO recover stolen ploperty!" shouted
Poins, throwing of his coat.
Its hardly the correct thing, I sup
pose, to pitch into common thief, or to
q tn ief's employer you know" observed
Squanderall. also shedding his coat, while
Wilding and Calkins were not less demon
strative, "but the oonventionalities can
not always be preserved"
Boncourt laughed lightly, and, step
ping back few steps, partly seated him.
self upon q small table, with his. back
against the wall and his face toward
them. Then he performed another slight
but significant action, which seemed to
cause his wou!d-be opponents sudden
embarrassment, if not positive conster-
nation.
This was merely the production of an
elegant six-shooter, which he coolly
cooked and placed across b knees.
4 can't imagine what you are talking
about, young gentlemen" said he, smil-
ing. but really if your intentions are
hostile, you will find me neither Inple-
pared nor unwilling"
Its an internal shame!" growled
Wilding. You've got our friends prop
erty, that WAS stolen from him by the
beastly iuggler, md it's only fair that
you should give 1t up,
Il know nothing about any ju:gler.
I've cot nothing on me but what belongs
10 me, and but what intend to keep