The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-02-28
CHAPTER Xxx Continued

pfeheUSlOus with alarm. she read IN
his eyes that wild hope OF man,
who. passionately desiring an object,
ends 10y persuading himself that his
own will sufices TO overcome all ob
stacles
Having often been present when
Prosper was preparing to leave his
office. Raoul had fifty times seen him
move the buttons and loci, the safe,
just before leaving the bank indeed,
having practical turn of mind, and
an eye to the future he had even
tried TO lock the safe himself ON sew
eral occasions while waiting for Pros
per
He inserted the key softly. turned
Il around pushed it further in, and
turned IL q second time; then thrust
it in suddenly, and turned il again.
His heart beat so loudly that Nine.
Fauvcl could hear its throbs.
The word had not been changed;
the safe opened.
Baoul and his mother simultaneous
Is uttered cry; she of terror: he of
triumph
"Shut it again" cried Nine. Fauvel,
frightened at the incomprehensible
result of Raoul's attempt. Come
away Don't touch anything, for
Heavens sakel Raoul."
And. half frcnzied. she clung to
Raouls arm, and pulled him away 50
abruptly, that the key was dragged
from the lock, and slipping along the
glossy varnish Of the safe door, made
a deep scratch some inches long.
But at glance Eaou discovered,
on the upper shelf Of the safe, four
bundles OF bank notes. lie snatched
them up with his left hand. aud
slipped them inside his vest
Exhausted by the effort she had
iust made, Nine. Fauvel dropped Ba-
outs arm, aud. almost faintiug with
emotion, chung to lie back OF \ chair.
Have mercy, Rsoul!" she moaned,
II impiore you to put back the money,
and I solemnly swear that [ will give
YOU tvs as much Tomorrow Oh. my
son. have pity on your unhappy moth
eri"
He paid no attention 10 these words
OF entreaty, but carefully examined
the scratch on the safe. lie was =!
most alarmed at this trace of the rob
berry, which it was impossible for him
to cover up.
at least. you will not take ALL
said Mime. Fauvel; Just keep enough
to save yourself, and put back the
rest"
What good would that do? The dis.
covery viii bc made that the safe has
been opened; 90 I might as well take
all as part
"0h, mol not at all. can account to
Andre; I viii tell him I had press
ing need toe a certain sum, and open
ed the safe to e It,"
in the meant ne liaoul had care
fully closed the safe.
Come. mother. let us 20 back 10
the sitting-room. A servant might go
there to look for you, and be aston
ished al oar absence"
R0cEl's cruel indifference aud cold
calcut,tion at such moment filed
Niue. fauyel with Indignation. She
saw that She had no influence over
her son, that her prayers and tears
had 40 effect upon his hard heart.
Let then, bc astunishcd," she cried;
''let them come here and find as.
will be relieved to put an end TO this
tissue OF crime. Then Andre will know
ail, aud drive me FROM his house. Let
come what wiz, / shall not sacrifice
another victim, Prosper will be ac
cused OF this theft tomorrow. Cla
merap defrauded him of the woman
he ioved, and now you would deprive
him of his honorl / will have nothing
TO do with so base crime"
She spoke so loud aud angrily that
Raoul was alarmed. lie knew that the
errand boy slept in room close by,
aud might be ia bed listening 10 her,
although il was early in the evening
"C0me upstairs hc said seizing
Nine Fauvcl's arm.
Rat she chung 60 table, and re.
fused to move "a step.
"a have been coWardly enough 10
sacrifice Madeleine she said. but l
will not ruin Prosper"
Haem had an argument ia reserve
which he knew would make Nine
Fauvei submit 20 his will
"Now, really he said. with a Gym
ical laugh, "do you pretend that you
do not know Prospcr and / arranged
this little affair together. and that he
is 10 have half tine booty?"
"impossiblel I Wit never believe
such a thing OF Prospect"
"Why, how do you suppose / dis
covered the secret word2 Who do you
supposed disohcycd orders and lefI
the money in the saief'
Prosper Is honest
"Of course. he Is, and so ann l. too
The only thing is that we both nee,
money
You are telling falsehood, Ra
Ouli"
"iipou iuy soul am not Madeleine
rciectcd Prosper, aad The poor fellow