The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-01-31

Despite the disordered state of his
mind. he could not but perceive that
his situation was momentarily becom-
ing more serioua.
He had demanded and accepted the
contest with his chief; the struggle
had commenced, and now il no longer
depended upon his own win to arrest
the consequences Of his action.
They were about TO engage i'm a bit.
ter conflict utilizing an weapons, UNI
til one of the two should succumb, the
loss of honor being the cost of defeat.
in the. eyes of Justice who would
bc the innocent man?
Alas. the unfortunate cashier eGw
only too clearly that the chances N,e-.
terribly unequal, and was over
whelmed with the sense OF his own in
feriority
Never had he thought that his chief
would carry out his thrcats for. in a
contest ol this nuure NJ. Fauvel
would have as much to risk as his
cashier, and more 20 lose.
Ile was sitting near the fire place,
absorbed IN the most gloomy fore.
|
door suddenly opened end a beautiful
girl appeared upon the threshold.
She was tail and slender: a loose
morning gown, confined at the waist
by a simple black ribbon. betrayed TO
advantage the grceful elegance OF
/ her dgure Her black eyes were large
and soft: her complexion had the
creamy pallor of white camellia;
and her beautiful black hair, careless
iy held together by tortoise-sheG
comb. fell i'm q profusion OF soft curls
| upon her exquisite neck. Size was
Madeleine, NJ. Faurel's niece, cf whom
he had spoken not long before.
Seeing Prosper iu thc study, where
| probably She expected TO find her un.
Gle alone, she could not refrain from
an exclamation Of surprise.
"Ahr'
Prosper started up as if he had re.
! ceiyed an electric shock. His eyes, a
moment before so dun and heavy. now
sparkled with JOY as if ne had caught
/ a glimpse of messenger of hope
Madeleine, he gasped, 'Made.
ieine"
The young girl was blushing Grim.
son. She seemed about to hastily re.
treat, and stepped back but, Prosper
havng advanced toward her, She was
overcome by a sentiment stronger
than her viii. aud eNtended her hand,
which he seized and pressed with
much agitation.
They stood thus face to face, bul
with averted looks, as If they dared
not to let their eyes meet for fear OF
betraying their feelings; having much
to say, and not knowing how to be
gin, they stood silent.
Finally Madeleine murmured in q
scarcely audible voice;
you, Prosper-youl"
These words broke the spell. The
cashier dropped the white hand which
he held, and answered, bitterly;
''Yes, this is Prosper, the oompan.
ion of your childhood suspected, ac
cused of the most disgraceful theft;
Prosper whom your uncle has just
delivered up to justice, and who, be.
fore the day is over will be arrested,
and thrown into prison"
Madeleine, with terrified gesture,
cried in a tone of anguish:
Good heavens. Prosper, what are
you saying2"
what, mademoselle! do YOU not
know what has happened? Have not
your aunt and cousins told you?'
They have told me nothing. have
, scarcely seen my cousins this morn.
ing; and my aunt is so 81 that / felt
uneasy, and came TO tc! tucie. Bat
for Heavens sake speak; tell me the
cause of your distress.
Prosper hesitated Perhaps n oc-
curred to him to open his heart 10
G Madeleine, of revealing 10 her bis
most secret thoughts. a remembrance
of the past chilled his confidence. ilc
sadly shook his head. and replied;
Thanks. mademoiselle for thi.
e proof of interest the last doubtless
1 that shall ever receive from YOU;
but allow me. by being silent, TO spare
j you distress, and myself the mortifica
tion of blushing before you"
Madeleine Interrupted him imperi
ously:
e u insist upon knowing"
"Alasl mademoiselle. answered
e Prosper, you viii only too soon learI
my misfortune ana my disgrace
l then, yes, then you viii applaud your
self for what you have done"
i But she became more urgent; in
stead of commanding, she entreated
but Prosper was inheXible.
your uncle is in the adjoining
d room, mademoiselle. with the commit
o sary Of police and detective. The
w!ll soon return, l cu3reat you to re
tire that they may NOT find you here.
O. As he spoke he gently pushed he
through the door, and closed it upo
ID her
a, II ,,,,s t.ac for I'm, next momen