The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-07-31

note to Nine. Fauvel asking for an
interview. The poor woman fastened
to Vesinet at the appointed hour, con-.
WINGED that some new misfortune was
in store for her. She found Raoul more
tender and affectionate than he had
ever been. He saw the necessity of re-
assuring her and winning his old place
in her fotgiving heart before making
his disclosures.
He succeeded. The poor lady had q
smiling and happy air in an armchair,
with Raoul kneeling before her.
II have distressed you too long, my
dear MOTHER" he said in his softest
tones, "Dut l repent sincerely. Now
listen to me-
He had not time to say more. The
door was violently thrown open, and
NJ. Fauvel, revolver in hand, entered
the room.
''Ah," he said, you thought you
could abuse my credulity forever"'
Raoul had the courage to place him
self before Nine. Fauvel and to stand
prepared to receive the expected bullet.
II assure you, uncle"- he began.
"Enoughv' interrupted the banker,
with an angry gesture. "Cease this act.
Ing, of which am no longer the dupe"
Il swear to YOU
Spare yourself the trouble of deni-
ais know all. know who pawned
my wife's diamonds. l know who COM
mitted the robbery for which the inno-
cent Prosper was arrested and impris-
oned"
Nine. Fauvel, white with terror, fell
upon her knees.
At last it had come-the dreadful day
had come! Vainly for years she had
added falsehood to falsehood. Vainly
she had sacrificed herself and others.
All was now discovered.
Pardon, Andre! conjure you, for
give me!'' q
At these heartbroken tones the bank.
er trembled. This voice brought be-
fore him the twenty years which he
had spent with this woman, who had
always been the mistress of his heart,
whose slightest wish had been his law
and who by a look could make him the
happiest or the most miserable Of men.
Unhappy womanr he said. "Un.
happy woman! What have done thai
you should act thus? have loved you
too deeply"
Raoul, who listened with attention,
saw that if the banker knew some things
he certainly did not know all. He saw
that erroneous information had misled
the unhappy man and that he was still
a victim of false appearances. He de-
termined to convince him of his mis-
take.
"Monsieur'- he commenced.
But the sound Of Raoul's voice was
sufficient to break the charm.
"Silence" cried the banker, with an
angry oath. "Silencev'
The stiffness was only broken by the
sobs of Nine. Fauvel.
81 came here" continued the banker,
with the intention of killing you both,
but courage fails me to kill a woman,
and I will not kill an unarmed man.
Raoul once more tried to speak.
"Let me fnish!' Interrupted Nj. Fau-
vel "Your life is in my hands. The
law excuses the vengeance Of an in
jured husband, but refuse to take ad-
vantage of it. l see on your mantel a
revolver similar to mine. Take it and
defend yourself"
Never"
defend yourself!' cried the banker.
raising his arm. eff not
%1o Ho,,
volver touch his breast, Raoul took his
own pistol from the mantel
"Place yourself in that corner Of the
room, and will stand in this" contin-
ued the banker, land when the clock
strikes, which will be in few seconds,
we will both fire.
They took the places designated. But
the horror of the scene was too much
for Nine. Fauvel to witness any lon-
ger without interposing. She under
stood but one thing-her son and her
husband were about to kill each other
before her very eyes. Fright and hor-
ror gave her strength to start up and
rush between the two men, with ex-
tended arms.
Have pity, Andre!" she cried, wiring
ing her hands in anguish. "Let me tell
you! Don't kip
This burst of maternal love Nj. Fau-
vel took for the pleading of criminal
defending her lover. He seized his
wife by the arm and thrust her aside.
But she would not be repulsed. Rush
ing up to Raoul, she threw her arms
around him and said to her husband:
Kill me, and me alone, for am the
guilty one!'
At these words NJ. Fauvel glared at
the guilty pair and, deliberately taking
aim, fired. Neither Raoul nor Nine.
Fauvel moved. The banker fired a Sec
ond time, then third. He cooked the
pistol for fourth shot when a man
rushed into the room, snatched the pis-
tol from the bankers hand and ran to
Nine. Fauvel. It was NJ. Verduret,
'Thank God" he cried" "she is un-
hurt! Do you know who that man is
that Won attamnto6 RI Ei11 90