The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-03-01


"in ti' 2 hours--in four hours-in three
hours-in one hour-and all will be
discovered; and then what win hap
I pen2 Heaven help nel"
At sunrise she heard the servants
moving about the house; then the Of
flee shutters opened; then. later, she
heard the clerks going into the bank.
She attempted TO get up. but felt
so i'll and weak, that she sunk back
on her pillow; and lying there, trem-
bling like leaf, bathed in cold per
/ spiration, she awaited the discovery
Of the robbery.
She was leaning over the side Of
the bed. strainiHg her ear to catch a
sound from the eash-room, when Md
eleine, who had just left her, rushed
into the room.
The white face and wild eyes of the
poor girl told Nine Fauvel that the
crime was discovered.
DO you know what has happened,
aunt?" cried Madeleine, in shrill,
Mortified tone. Prosper IS accused Of
robbery, and the police have come 10
take him to prisonlr
groan was Mime. Fauvel's only
answer.
"Raoul or the marquis is at the
bottom of this" continued Madeleine,
excitedly.
How can they be coDeerned in it,
my child?'
Il can't tell yet; but ! only know
that Prosper is innocent. l have lust
seen him. spoken to him. He would
never have looked me in the face had
he been guilty"
Mmc. Fausel opened her lips TO
confess all; fear kept her silent
"What can these wretches want?"
said Madeleine; what new sacrifice
do they demand? Dishonor Prospect
Good heavensl why did they not kin
him at once? Hewould rather be dead
than disgracedl"
Here the entrance of NJ. Fauvel in
terrupted Madeleine. The banker wai
so angry that he could scarcely speak
"The worthless scoundrell" he
cried; "to think of his daring to ac.
cuse me! TO insinuate that 1 robbed
my own safei And that Marquis d'
Clameran must needs doubt my gooS
faith in keeping my engagement te
pay his money!"
Then, without noticing the effect OF
his story upon the two women, he
proceeded to relate all that had oc
Cured downstairs
II was afraid this extravaganza
would lead 20 something terrible
he said, in conclusion; you know
told you last night that Prosper was
growing worse in his conduct, and
that he would get into trouble"
Throughout t6e day Madeleine's de
votion 10 her aunt was severely tried
The generous girl saw disgraci
heaped upon the man she loved. Sh,
had perfect faith in his innocence; sh,
felt sure she knew who had laid tn,
trap to ruin him; and yet She could
not say a word in his defense.
Fearing that Madeleine would sus
pect her of completely in the theft, IL
She remained in bed and displayed Sc
much agitation, Nine Fauvel arose
and dressed for breakfast
1t was dreary meal. No one tasted
n morsel. The servants moved about
on their tiptoes, as silently as if a
death had occurred in the family.
About two O'Clock q servant came to
NJ. Fauve's study, and said that the
Marquis de Clameran desired to see
him.
What" cried the banker, does he
dare tn
Then, after moments reflection,
he added;
ASK him to walk up"
The very name of Clameran had suf
feed to arouse ali the numbering
wrath of NJ. Fauyel The victim of a
robbery, finding his safe empty at the
moment that he was called upon to
make a heavy payment, he had been
constrained to conceal his anger and
resentment, but now he determined
to have his revenge upon his insolent
visitorl
But the m2rquis declined TO come
upstairs. The messenger returned
with the answer that the gentleman
had a particular reason for seeing
NJ. Fauyel in the Office below where
the clerks were.
"What does this fresh impertinence
mean?" cried the banker as he an
grily jumped mp and hastened down.
stairs.
NJ. de Clameran was standing in the
middle OF the room adjoining the
cash-room; NJ. Fauyel walked up TO
him and said. bluntly:
What do you want now, Monsieur
You have been paid your money, and
] have your receipt"
To the surprise of all the clerks,
and the banker himself, the marqui,
Reemed not in the least offended AT
this rude greeting, but answered In a
deferential, but not at all humble,
4 manner;