The Iola register., 1902-05-02

IT."
"At the end of the garden, under the
trees"
They ran to the spot, and in a few
minutes the ladder was up against the
house. But to their chagrin they found
that there were six good feet between
the top of the ladder and the lighted
window.
1--WE cannot reach it." exclaimed
Prosper.
1--WE must reach itp' cried NJ. verdu-
ret
And he quickly placed himself yard
Off from the house and, seizing the
ladder, cautiously raised it, resting the
bottom round on his shoulders, at the
same time holding the two uprigbts
firmly and steadily with his hands.
The obstacle was overcome.
Now mount" he said to his compan-
ion.
The situation was distressing for
Prosper, but he did not hesitate. He
made a sudden spring and, seizing the
lower rounds quickly climbed up the
ladder, which swayed and treIhbed
beneath his weight. But his head had
scarcely passed above the lighted win
dow when he uttered cry which was
drowned in the roaring tempest and
dropped like a log down on the wet
grass, crying:
"The villain! The villain"
With wonderful promptness and Wig.
| or NJ. Verduret laid the ladder on the
ground and ran toward Prosper, fear
ing he was dead or dangerously in
| jured.
"What did you see? Are you hurtp
he whispered.
But Prosper had already risen. AL
| though he had had q violent fall, he
was unhurt.
81 saw" he answered in a hoarse
voice-"I saw Madelelne-do you un-
derstand, Madeleine?-in that room
alone with Raoul."
NJ. Verduret was confounded. Was
II possible that he. the infallible eX-
pert, had been mistaken in his deduc-
tons?
He well knew that NJ. de Lagors' vis-
itor was q woman, but his own conjec-
lures and the note which Nine. Gipsy
had sent to him at the tavern had fully
assured him that this woman was
Nine Fauvel.
You must be mistaken" he said to
| Prosper.
mo, monsieur; no. Never could I
! mistake another for Madeleine. All,
| you who heard what she said to me
| yesterday, answer me. Was l to ex.
| pect this infamous treachery? You said
to me then, She loves you, she loves
you"
NJ. Verduret did not answer. He had
| first been stupefled by his mistake and
was now racking his brain TO discover
the cause Of it, which was soon dis
cerned by his penetrating mind.
This is the secret discovered by
Nina" continued Prosper. Madeleine,
this pure and noble Madeleine, whom
angel, Is alone with this thief who has
even stolen the name he bears, and l.,
| trusting fool that was, made him my
best friend. l confded to him all my
hopes and fears, and he was her lover!
OF course they ridiculed my absurd de-
votion and stupid confidencep'
How do we know" said NJ. Verdu-
ret, that Mile. Madeleine is here on
her own account? Did we not come to
the conclusion that she was sacrificing
herself for the benefit Of some one7
That superior will which compelled her
to your dismissal may have brought
about this step tonight"
That which comedies with our secret
wishes is always eagerly welcomed
| This supposition, apparently improba-
Bile, appealed to Prosper.
THAT might be the case" he said.
"Who knowsY"
II would soon know" said NJ. Yer
duret, "if | could see them together in
| that room"
Prosper thought moment.
"Will you promise me, monsieur, to
tell me the exact truth-all that you
see and hear, no matter how painful it
may be for meT"
II swear ii, upon my word of honor"
Then, with a strength OF (which q
| few minutes before he would not have
| believed himself possessed Prosper
raised the ladder and placed the last
round on his shoulder.
Mount" he said.
NJ. Verduret rapidly ascended the
ladder without even shaking it till his
head was on level with the window
Prosper had seen but too well. There
was Madeleine at this hour of the
night alone with Raoul de Lagors
She still wore her wraps. She was
standing in the middle of the room,
| talking with great animation. Her at
titude, her look, her gestures, betrayed
indignant scorn. Raoul was seated on
chair by the fire, stirring up the
Goals with pair of tongs. Every now
and then he would shrug his shoulders,
like a man resigned to everything he
heard and had no answer except, ~
cannot help it."
NJ Verduret would willingly have