The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-27

Judge Demo turned toward De La
Gaze. You speak English, sir?" he de-
manded unexpectedly
81 do.
am to understand that you wish
to lay your title and your vast estates
before me for consideration; that you
have reason to trust that my daughter
will reciprocate your regard? Is she as
sured am willing she should thus fol-
low her own inclination?"
The count bowed. "Mlle. Delno," he
said, has been SO kind as to listen
when 1 have told her of my intention. -
els this SO, Priscilla?''
II told him" said Priscilla, very
low, SO low that only Stornmouth and
her father caught the words, ''that if
you gave your consent would consider
the matter. -
"What. " inquired the judge blandly,
SIS your income, COUNT"
This straight forward attack was
premeditated blow at his adversaries'
suavity. 1t accomplished it's purpose
with miraculous swiftness.
The count stirred a little uneasily.
Desmoulins darted at him a warning
glance.
ssMy estates, he returned eyasively,
with visible effort to seem unconcern-
ed-"m my estates, sir, would be consider
ed sufficient guarantee in France to in
sure your daughter and her children
against disaster should such disaster
overtalle us.
"Ah! OF what do those estates con-
sist?'
''There is a property in Touraine :"
the count announced, "and one in Lom-
hardy. Before my grandfather's estate
was confiscated under the revolution he
owned the entire village of Chamhour-
liez, in the Nosges. When he was oblig-
ed to flee from Paris, taking every atom
of personal property he could with him
for fear OF confiscation, he sold that vii
lage for 100000 600 francs to obtain
ready money"
"Were you his heir?"
Desmoulins rose. "You are subject
ing my friend to ia positive inquisiticn, I"
he cried Indignantly. "Things are not
conducted after this fashion in France.
A man of title is considered sufficient
parti without fortune to back him up. %
"A man of title, yes" returned the
judge. Then for the first time he looked
piercingly at Desmoulins.
ssYou, SIR" he said, instituted re-
Gently in New York search in regard
my daughters family, property and fair
fame did you not?"
There was movement all through
the room. Priscilla lifted her head with
an indignant flush, which spread from
her forehead to her chin and remained
there for five minutes. Stornmouth
stopped toying with a silver paper cut
ter which was lying on a first empire
table near him. Doxie threw back his
head with grim smile.
"You are pleased, :" replied Desmou-
Inns, just as coolly, exhibiting admirably
strong nerve and undeniable capacity
for ways and means esoteric and re-
markable under fire, ''to deal in eng
mas"
perhaps. That word apparently con-
veys an opposite meaning in France
from what it does in America. You
deny, then, that you instituted a search
into my daughters connection in New
York;"
81 deny nothing. Iaffirm nothing. It
is customary in France when man of
title proposes uniting his family name
with person of insignificant parentage
to inform himself of that PERSONS past,
present and future. We call it taking
renseignements. The count may have
thus informed himself without my in
stigation.
"By renseignements the judge pro-
nounced the word with some difficulty
-"you mean to convey that you re-
quire recommendation for your intend
ed beneficiary, recommendations after
the fashion Of master who demands
Of cook references from his last place
or a horse of which is exacted his pedi-
gree by his would be purchaser?'
Yes, monsieur. -
The judge turned toward the count
Gam to understand that you made
such inquiries?'
81 made no inquiries, returned the
count. "Your daughter was responsible
alone for my desire to unite my old
name with youth and beauty"
The judge looked at Doxie. "Mr.
Doxie" said he quietly, "you will
oblige me by reading to these gentlemen
the story of nefarious plot which
came to my notice few days before I
left New York. 1t is letter, gentle
men," he said pleasantly, turning to
Desmoulins and the count, (which was
brought before me under peculiar cir
cumstances. It was found in the pocket
Of a dead man. AS it contained sigma
ture strangely like yours, sir, speak
ing to Desmoulins, who was strikinsly
pale and was muttering something I'M
der his breath, IT made the comparison
yesterday morning when I received your
note requesting this interview. The sig
natures are one and the same. It seemed
to me as pretty case of compound fell
ony as have ever known"
Find" Doxie read from letter he
had drawn from his pocket, "the record
of the vOnnu yyonap,c aptaoodopfo ard