Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-20


lowed by the banker and the commits
sary of police.
Prosper remained alone in the study. |
Notwithstanding the disordered state |
of his mind, he could not but perceive |
that his situation was every minute
becoming more serious. Seating him
self on sofa near the fireplace. he was !
absorbed in the most gloomy forebod- !
ings when the bankers chamber door
suddenly opened and beautiful girl
appeared upon the threshold. She was
tall and slender. a loose morning
gown, confined ut the waist by n sim
pie black ribbon, betrayed 10 advaD-
tage the graceful elegance of her fig
ure Her black eyes were large and
soft, her complexio had the creamy
pallor OF a white camelia, aud her
beautiful dark hair, carclessly held to-
gother by a tortoise shell comb. fell in
n profusion of soft curls upon her OK
Quiste neck. She was NJ. Fauvcrs
niece, Madeleine. of whom he had spo-
ken not long before. Seeing Prosper
Bertomy in the study, where probably
she expected to find her uncle alone,
she could not refrain from an eXclama-
ton Of surprise.
"Ah"
Prosper started up as if ne had re-
ccived an electric shock. His eyes, L
moment before so dull and heavy, all
at once sparkled with joy rs if he hai
caught glimpse of a messenger of
hope.
"Madeleinc," he cried: "Madeleine."
The young girl blushed crimson. She
seemed about to hastily retreat and
stepped back: but. Prosper having adj
vanccd toward her. she was overcome
by something stronger than her will
and extended her hand, which lie seiZ-
ed and pressed eagerly. They stood
thus face to face, but with bowed
heads
Finally Madeleine said in a scarcely
audible voice:
You, ProSper-you"'
These words hroke the spell. Prosper
dropped the white hand which he held
and answered bitterly:
"Yes, this is Prosper. the companion
of your chldhood-suspected, accused
o. lUe InOot ioSPtl,
whom your uncle has just delivered up
to Justice and who before the day is
over, will be arrested and thrown into
prison"
Madeleine, with terrified gesture,
cried in tone of profound sympathy:
Good heavens! Prosper, what are
you saying"
WHAT Do you not know? 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 i'll that l felt
uneasy and came to tell uncle. But for
heavens sake speak. Tell me what
has happened"
Prosper hesitated. Perhaps it occur
red to him to open his heart to Made
lCine, of revealing to her his most Sc
crct thoughts. A remembrance of the
past coming up chilled his confidence.
He sadly shook his head and replied:
Thanks, mademoiselle, for this proof
Of interest, the last, doubtless, that |
shall ever receive from you. But allow
me- by being silent, to spare you dis
tress and myself the modification of
blushing before you"
Madeleine interrupted him with an
imperious gesture:
Il insist upon knowing" she said.
"Alas, madcmoiscllc!' answered
Prosper. ''You will only too soon learn
> my misfortune and my disgrace. Then
yes then you will applaud yourself for
what you nave done"
But she became more urgent. In
stead of commanding she entrcatei
but Prosper was inhcXible.
'Nour uncle is in the adjoining room
mademoiselle. with the commssary o
police and a detective. They will sool
return. | entreat you to retire tina
they may not find YOU here
AS he spoke he gently pushed he
through the door, she resisting, AM
closed it upon her, 1t was time, TO
the next moment the commissary am
NJ. Fauvel entered. They had visitc
the main entrance and waiting roor
= and had heard nothing of what ha
passed in the study. But Fanforlo
had heard for them. This excellen
bloodhound had not lost sight OF tn
fuN'l nc Sdlu 10 llllScll' II II
believes himself to be alone, his fac
will betray him. shall detect
smile or wink that will mean som,
thing"
Leaving NJ Fauvcl and the commi,
= sary to pursue their investiGa tions, h
posted himself to watch. He saw tn
- door open and Madeleine appear upo
the threshold He lost not a singl
word or gesture of the rapid seen
which had passed between Prosper an
the young girl 1t mHttered little tha
every word Of this scene was an EMS
i ma. NJ. Fanfcrlot was skillful enoug
10 complete the sentences he did nC
understand. AS yet he only had
T. suspicion, but II suspicion il Il point
start from. He was prompt In built
ing a plan upon the slightest inciden
thinking he saw in the past OF thes
people whom he did not know glimpse
l. of n domestic drama. If the comm
u sary of police is "A skeptic, the dete
tive has faith. He believes in evil.
Il This is the situation" said he
/ himself "'Ihis man loves the youn
y lady, who is really very pretty, and 4
y he is quite handsome ! suppose b
' love il returned. This love affair vext
u the banker who, not knowing how
a Of 4 i,,,n tItr ata hx fa