The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-29

lowe, my sister X the sole creature value
90 much as q heartbeat. The slightest
slur upon her womanly name would nj
once challenge my resentment. Your son
must marry Adele, not merely because he
has successfully wooed her, but chleny
because she has come to love him sew
erance would cause her distress; Adele
must not be distressed.
wait vet q moment, he went on. again
hindering an attempted interruption.
-Adele's past has not been sunny, but
can afford to speak of it as frankly as OF
nv own. There's nothing like being sure
CT ones ground beforehand. You have
spoken of her age. That is nothing. She
is perhaps ten years your sons senior,
but she will pass anywhere for twenty
three, and she is in the flower of her
superb beauty. You have mentioned her
widowhood. But she is not q widow. She
is a divorced wife. You start-you En-
glishmen have strait-lacedlprejudices on
this score. Where is the difference? In
this instance, at least, it shall avail n 9TH
ing as an objection. Over seventeen years
ago We were in California. Do you asso-
ciate the date with anything peculiar in
your own family history? You gave q
singular start. But no matter. While
there Adele, though mere girl in years,
escaped from my guidance long enough
to get married. Ronceville wasn't the
fellows name, either. He was fellow
countryman of yours, and of good birth.
I wouldn't have minded his being gam
bier, though he was cheap, poor one,
by nc means ornamental to the profess
sion; but he was also drunkard and
brute. In few months took her away
from him and kicked him into the street.
America is convenient country for get
ting rid of bad husbands and worthless
wives. She obtained divorce, but not
before her child was born. Three years
later, in San Francisco, her little boy was
lost in the streets. He has never since
been found. That is all of Adele's trou-
bles I need touch upon. I have told you
this much for purpose. I would show
you that when your callow son marries
Adele he does not marry foolish girl,
but woman of the world, who, in spite
of her beauty, her freshness and her ap--
parent youth, has thought, struggled
and suffered profoundly-also a proud,
noble and ambitious woman, who can
and will Lake man of him. There you
are!"
Mr.. Marlowe drew long breath. Stu
pefaction was his first sensation; to this
had succeeded sort of wondering ad-
miration for the sublime assurance that
had prompted the remarkable avowals he
had listened to; and after that he grew
sullen and enraged.
So" he cried; 'and, with this addi-
tional knowledge, you have the uncon-
scionable brass to ask me for an abate-
ment by one.half of what you promised
to settle on your sister?"
ITO be sure, Marlowe; bet on the
wrong Jockey at yesterdays handicap. to
my sorrow. Ten thousand is all CON
60, even on Adele.
Il tell yog, sir, by heaven! I will not
listen TO it. Indeed, after what You have
said, would not have the match 60 on
in any event. Itwould STAIN the Marlowe
name!"
1T is stained already, in your person
stained beyond cleansing, did the world
but know it! Come to terms! You are in
The words we're still devoid of harsh
ness. but they cane out as keen and
steely as rapier gliding from velvet
scabbard.
What do you mean?" exclaired Mr..
Marlowe.
You had cousin-a certain Jasper
Narrower
1Y-e-s; he is dead"
But think; was he dead, say, seven
teen years and half ago."
"N-n-n-o; I hardly suppose that he
was."
Certainly not. At about that time l
made his acquaintance. He was fond OF
horse racing; SO was I; he fell i'll of a
malignant fever; in fact, imagined his
death approaching. I had done him q
signal service; in return, he took me into
his confidence. He mentioned-indeed,
exhibited to me-s certain remarkable
paper bearing your signature. How do
you know that it is not now in my pos
session."
Heavens and earth!" gssped the
banker, falling back in his chair, with an
ashen face.
Come" said Mr.. Boncourt, airily ris:
ing, and resuming his hat. gloves and
cane. Really, my dear Marlowe, we
should not keep Adele and Noel waiting
in this way"