The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-07-17
ed this painful step, and could only
acquiesce. Have / gained anything by


Led this painful step, and / could sonly,
acquiesce. Have gained anything by
adding this humiliation to the others ~
Il have replied NJ. verduret. q
could find no way Of gaining access to
M. Fauvel save through you, and now
l. have found out what I wanted to
Know. am convinced that NJ. Fauyel
had nothing to do with the robbery
Oh, monsieur" objected Prosper.
Innocence can be feigned.''
Certainly, but not to- this extent.
And this is not all. wished to find
out if M. Fauvel would be accessible
to certain suspicious. Now can say
| Yes" - @ >.> ~
Prosper and his companion had stop
ped to talk more at their ease near the
corner of LATTE street, in the middle
of large space which had lately been
cleared by pulling down an old house.
M. Verduret seemed to be anxious and
was constantly looking around as if he
expected some one. He soon uttered
an exclamation of satisfaction. At
the other end of the vacant space he
saw Cavaillon, who was running bare
headed and so excited that he did not
even stop to shake hands with Prosper,
but said to NJ. Verduret: 80
"They have gone, monsieur"
How long since?"
about quarter of an hour ago"
'The deuce they did! Then we have
not a minute to dose.''
He handed Cavaillon the note he had
written some hours before at Prosper's
house. .srT
"Here, send him this and then return
at once to your desk. You might be
missed. It was very imprudent in you
to come out without your hat''
Little Cavaillon ran off as quickly as
he had come. Prosper was stupefed.
"What!' said he. "You. know Ca
vaillon?'
$50 it seems" answered M. Verdu-
ret, with smile. "But we have no
time to talk. Make haste"
Nj. Verduret suddenly stopped before
a door bearing the number 81. He
led the way up the steps and stopped
on the second floor before door over
which was a large sign-"Dressmak-
err" A handsome bellrope hung on the
wall, but M. Verduret did not touch it.
He tapped with the ends of his fingers
in peculiar way, and the door in
stantly opened as if some one had been
watching for his signal on the other
side-a woman of about forty. She
quietly ushered NJ. Verduret and Pros
per into neat dining room with sever
al doors opening into it.
"Well?" he said by look.
She bowed affirmatively.
eyes,"
I'm there?" asked NJ. Verduret in a
low tone, pointing to one of. the doors.
NO." said the woman in, the same
tone; "Over there in the little parlor.''
! M. Verduret opened the door pointed
out and pushed Prosper into the little
parlor, whispering as he did so: il.
go in and keep steady.''
But this injunction was useless. The
instant he cast his eyes around the
room into which he had been pushed
without any warning Prosper exclaim-
ed:
"Madeleinev' H.. ..-sszS w.,
1t was indeed M. Fauvels niece, look
ing more beautiful that ever. Stand
ing in the middle of the room near a
table covered with silks and satins,
she was arranging skirt Of red velvet
embroidered in gold-the dress she was
to wear as maid of honor to Cath
crime de- Medici. At sight of Prosper
the blood rushed to her face, and her
beautiful eyes half closed, as if she
were about to faint. She supported
herself by the table to keep from fall=
| ing. Her weakness lasted but a mo-
ment, and the soft expression Of her
eyes changed to one Of naughty re-
sentiment. In an offended tone she
said:
what has induced you to be watch
ing my movements? Who gave you
permission to follow me, to enter this
! house?''
Prosper would have given worlds to
explain what had just happened, but
The was powerless and could only re-
main silent.
'You promised me upon your honor"
continued Madeleine, that you would
never again seek my presence. Is this
the way you keep your word?''
Il did promise, butt
He stopped. -s>'..s@aza> .
"Oh, speak!' lc~:, ss2d ~; liz ii 5 i;
$50 many things have happened
since that terrible day that I think
am .excusable in forgetting for one
hour an oath torn from me in mo-
ment Of blind weakness. 1t is to
chance at least to another will than
my oWn-that I am indebted for the
happiness of once more finding myself
near you. Alas, the instant I saw you
my heart bounded with Joy. did not
think-no, could not think-that you
would prove more pitiless than stran-
gers have been; that you would cast
me off when I am so miserable and
heartbroken.'
Had not Prosper been so agitated he
| cOI1ld have read in the ewes Of Madn