The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-05-02
RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY, MD. FRIDAY, 2, 1902.
"The clownw he gasped.

and the same. Yes, l am the jolly
clown of the Jandidier ball. Here is
the proof"
And, turning up his sleeve, he show
ed deep cut on his arm. eff you are
not sure examine this scar" he con-
tinued. 81 imagine you know the vii
lain that gave me this little decoration
that night Vas walking along Bour-
daloue street. That being the case,
you know 1 have a slight claim upon
you and shall expect you to relate to
us your little story"
But Raoul was too terrified to utter
a word.
NJ. Fauvel listened without under
standing.
Unto what dark depths of shame
have we fallenw he groaned.
"Reassure yourself, monsieur" re-
piled NJ Verduret. "After what 1 have
been constrained to tell you little re-
mains. will finish the story"
He then told how Louis Clameran
had concocted his plot to palm off
Raoul as Nine. FauvePs son with a
view to extort money from her.
"CaE this be possible?" cried Nine
Fauvel.
'Tmpossiblep' cried the banker. "An
Infamous plot like this could not be ex-
ecuted in our midst"
"All this is falsev' said Raoul boldly.
"It is a ie!'
M. Verduret turned to Raoul and,
bowling with ironical respect, said:
Monsieur desires proofs, does he?
Monsieur shall certainly have convinc-
ing ones. l have just left friend of
mine, M. Palot, who brought me valu-
able information from London. Now,
my young gentleman, will tell you the
little story he told me.
''In 1S47 Lord Murray, a wealthy
and generous nobleman, had a jockey
named Spencer, Of whom he was very
fond. At the Epson races this jockey
was thrown from his horse and killed.
Lord Murray grieved over the loss of
his favorite and, having no children OF
his own. declared his intention of
adopting Spencer's son, who was then
but four years old.
'Thus James Spencer was brought
up in affiuence as heir to the immense
wealth of the noble lord. He was a
handsome, intelligent boy and gave sat-
isfaction to his protector until he was
sixteen years of age. Then he became
intimate with a worthless set of people
and turned out badly.
Lord Murray, who was very indul-
gent, pardoned many grave faults, but
one fine morning he discovered that his
adopted son had been initiating his sig
nature upon some checks. He indig-
nantly dismissed him.
"James Spencer had been living in
London about four years, managing to
support himself by gambling and SWIM
ding, when he met Clameran, who Of
fered him $4,000 francs to play part
in little role which he had arranged"
"You are detective! interrupted
Raoul.
The fat man smiled grimly.
eat present." he replied, 81 am mere
ly friend of Prosper Bertomy. 1t de-
pends entirely upon your behavior
which character | appear in while set
tllHS UP luiS lIllle dudlF.
"What do you expect me to do?'
'Where are the $4,000 francs which
you have stolen?
The young rascal hesitated mo-
ment.
''The money is in this room," he said.
every good. This frankness is cred
liable and will benefit you. l know
that the money is in this room and also
exactly where it is to be found. Look
in the back of that cupboard"
Raoul saw that his game was lost.
He tremblingly went to the cupboard
and pulled out several bundles of bank
notes and an enormous package of
pawnbrokers' tickets.
Every we'll done." said NJ. Verduret
as he carefully examined the money
and papers. SIN this you have acted
wisely"
Raoul had counted on this moment,
when everybody's attention would be
absorbed by the money, to make his
escape. Softly he stole toward the
door, opened it, slipped out and locked
it on the outside. The key was still in
the lock.
"He has escaped" cried NJ. Fauvel.
Naturally" replied NJ. Verduret
without turning his head. 81 thought
ne would have sense enough to do
that"
"But''-
"Would you have this affair become
public? Do you wish case to be
brought into the police court in which
your wife is the victim?"
"Oh, monsieurr
'Then let the rascal go free. Here
are the 100000 francs. Here are re.
ceipts for all the articles which he has
pawned. We should consider ourselves
fortunate, He has kept $4,000 francs.
So much the better for you. This sum
will enable him to go abroad, and we
shall never see him again."
Like every one else, NJ. FauVel sub
mitted to the asceadency of NJ. Verdu-
ret. Gradually he had awakened to the
true state of affairs. Prospective hap
piness was possible, and he felt that he
was indebted to NJ. Verduret for more
than life. He was not slow in express.
ing his gratitude. He seized NJ, Verdu.
ret's hand, as If to carry it to his lips,
and said, with emotion:
"How can 1 ever find words to ex-
press my appreciation? How can 1 re-
pay the great service you have rem.
dered me?"
NJ. Verduret reflected a moment and
than said,