Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-07-04

But she said, why do you keep
those letters? They have no interest for
you. assure you--
Va | ia ia Letters of that sort, !
assure you, are vsry nice to keep. M.
Henri de Prejailles writes most inter-
sstingly, and your own style, madame,
is delightful
Mile. Daurel flushed. She had loos.
ened for brief second her grasp on the
pocketbook, and that little moment Of
negligence was goinS to cost her dearly
YOU forgot continued NJ. Cqouiuot,
THAT everybody who RECEIVERS lost ar
ticle is entitled to reward
Y am prepared to give to you, mon
sieur.'
Agreed. But there are reward and
rewards. think the correspondence of
Mile. Daurel and Henri de Prejailles is
worth good price,
'Ch, monsieur
"A very high price I repeat. For
10000 frants 1 will return you your
letters. Otherwise l will give them to
your father
Mile. Daurel became furious.
But it is a swindie, she shrieked.
THAT is hasty word for such an ex.
quisite mouth
'Wretchv
And Mile. Daur.l threw one of her
cards in the face Of M. Chouinot. The
man of business remained calm and
said
"A second card is useless; have al
ready taken one. Twenty thousand
francs repeat. M. Daurel is builder
and is rich; 10000 francs is nothing to
him!
This was said quietly anl with calm
cynicism.
After her anger reaction had fol-
lowed and Mile. Daurel grew quiet.
She was frightened now, painting and
overwhelmed. M. Chouinot did not
move or say word. She sank down
on a chair, with her eyes on the ground
listening to this man as ifshe was being
sentenced to death.
Then there was silence, and Mile.
Daurel rose and walked tawards the
door. The unhappy girl went out pale
and trembling, with sobs in her throat
that suffocated her.
What was she going to do?
That is what NJ. Cnouinot wanted to
know.
Several hours later she would return.
Probably she would try and bargain
with him for $1,000 or 10000 frances.
Bnt he, M. Chouinot, would remain un.
alterable-20OOO francs.
And then Mile. Daurel would spread
out on the table, not without regrets
twenty bank notes of 1000 each.
At the thought of this M. Chouinot
rubbed his hands.
oh. la belle operation. Twenty
thousand francs for merely picking up
pocketbook.
But the hours passed, and Mile Dau.
rel did not return. Probably she need.
ed more time to get the money.
Meanwhile NJ. Chouinot sang to him'
self while he waited.
Presently an employe Of the office
came in.
Monsieur. there is some one asking
for you outside
The girl, no doubt p
No, SIT it is gentleman
"A gentleman =? Show him in
The visitor came into the Office.
Monsieur, he said, looking M, Cho-
uinot in the eye, u am NJ. Henri de
Prejailles 7
The man of business took step back.
ward.
oh, do not be afraid. I have no in.
tention Of administering to You the
thrashing you so rickly deserve. 1t
gives nae pleasure. however. to say that
you are an infamous william. Having
said this, I ask you now to follow me-
Monsieur!
NJ. Chouinot moved further and fur.
ther and further away,
Henri de Prejailles took pistol out
Of his pocket and put the end Of 1t un-
der NJ. Chouinot's nose.
Will you follow me"
u will follow you. monsieur but re-
member one thing. that your letters are
in safe place, and that you cannot
force me to give them up. and
Exactly; meanwhile walk in front Of
me and not word or | will shoot you
like dog
Below carriage was in attendance,
and NJ. Chauiaot got in. Henri de
Preiailles took the seat next to him.
l. J.:,,o - Pr., Par, hro uIf