The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-03-13

he rat man smiled gflmlN.
"At present." he replied. ~ am
merely friend of Prosper Bertomy.
i depends entirely upon your beha-
nor which character | appear in while
settling up this little affair."
"What do You expect me to do?n
Restore the 550,oo0 francs which
Tou have stolen"
The young rascal hesitafed mo-
nent, and then said
'.The money is in this room"
every good. This franl.ness is cred
table, and will benefit you. l know
hat the money is in this room,
md also exactly where il is to
,e found BE kind enough 10 iSok be-
lind that cupboard, and YOU will iind
he $4,000 francs
Raoul saw that his game was lost.
10 tremblingly went 10 the cupboard
nd pulled out several bundles of bank
notes and an enormous package Of
pawnbrol.er's icitets.
"yery well done" said NJ Verduret,
as he carefully examined the money
and papers; "this is the most sensible
step you ever took"
Raoul relied on this moment, when
everybody's attention would be alb
sorbed by the money, TO make his es.
cape. He slid toward the door, gently
opened it, slipped out, and locked it
on the outside; the key being still in
the lock.
HE has escaped" cried NJ. Fauvel.
Naturally" replied NJ. Verduret,
without even looking up; Il thought
he would have sense enough to do
that.
but is he to go unpunished?"
"My dear sir, would ySu have this
affair become a public scandal? DO
you wish your wife's name to be
brought into case of this natare
before a police court?"
"Oh, Monsieurl'
"Ihem the best thing you can do is
to let the rascal go scot free. Here
are receipts for all the articles which
he has pawned. so that we should con-
slider ourselves fortunate. He has kept
fifty thousand francs, but that is all
the better for you. This sum will en-
able him to leave France, and we
shall never see him again"
Like everyone else. NJ. Fauvel yield
ed TO the ascendency of NJ. Verduret.
Gradually he had awakened to the
true state Of affairs; prospective hap
piness no longer seemed impossible,
ant, he felt that he was indebted to
the man before him for more than
life But for NJ, VerGuret, where
would have been his honor and his do
nestle peace?
With honest gratitude be seized NJ.
Yerdurets hand as If TO carry it TO
his lips, and said in broken tones:
"Oh. monsieurl how can 1 ever find
words 10 express how deeply ! appre-
eiate your kindness? How can / ever
repay the great service you have rem
dcred me?"
NJ. Nerduret reflected a moment,
and then said:
IF you feel under any obligations
TO me, monsieur, you have il in your
power to return them. | haze a fa-
vor TO ask of YOU"
a l0ANls Ni1N a0h vi AAlt Al'f ~
monsieur. YOU have but to name IT,
My fortune and life are at your dis
posal."
81 will not hesitate. then. 70 explain
myself | am Prosper's friend. and
deeply interested in his future. Nor
can exonerate him from this infa
nous charge OF robs ry; you can re-
store him TO his honorable position
You can do more than this, monsieur
He loves Mademoiselle Madeleine
I Madeleine shall be his wife, mon
sieur." interrupted the banker; ''l
give you my word Of honor. And
will so publicly eNonerate him thai
not a shadow of suspicion viii res
1 upon his name. I will place him II
a position which viii prevent slandei
from reproaching him with the pain
/ ful remembrance of my fatal error
The Fat man quietly took up hi
/ hat and cane as II he had been pay
ing am ordinary morning call an'
turned TO leave the room, after say
/ ing good morning" But, seeing thi
weeping woman raise her claspe'
hands appealingly toward him, h
said. hesitatingly:
Monsieur, excuse my intruding an.
advice; but Madame Fauyel-"
"Andre" murmured the wretchel
wife, "Andre!"
The banker hesitated moment
then. following the impulse Of hi
heart, ran 70 his wife, and claspin
her in his arms, said tenderly:
mo. l viii not be foolish enoug
20 struggle against my deep-roOte
love. do not pardon, Valentine;
forget; forges all"
NJ Ncrdnret had nothing more I
do at Nesinet
Without taking leave of the banker
he quietly left the room, and jumI
ing into his cab, ordered the drive
20 return to Paris. aud drive TO IN
Hotel du Louvre as rapidly as pOss