Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-11-04
accomplishment Of a task eannot fan"

accomplishment of A task eannos fall"
well said, NJ. Prosper; 1 fully ex-
pected such would be your intention, and
L have already been looking into the
case. L have formed a plan. To begin
with, you must disappear"
Disappear cried the cashier. indig-
nantly. Disappear! that would be a
confession of guilt, would authorize the
world to say that am hiding SO as to
enjoy undisturbed the stolen fortune"
well, what them" said Red Whis-
kers. Did you not say Just now that
the sae'ifice of your life was made? You
have an enemy? Some petty imprudence
will betray him. But while he sees you
standing on the watch he will be on his
guard. Let us reflect on the course you
. should pursue. Now listen. You have
friend, NJ. de Lagors2 Who is this
fellow?"
m. de Lagors, monsieur" said Pros
per haughtily, sis NJ. Fauvel's nephew;
wealthy young man, handsome, intelli-
gent, cultivated, and the best friend
have"
"Humph" said NJ. Verduret. 81 shall
be delighted to make the acquaintance of
one adorned with so many charming
qualities. l must let you know that l
wrote him note in your name asking
him to come here, and he sent word that
he would be here directly. | must see
this young man. Also 1 have arranged
and Will submit to you a little plan of
| conversation"
ring at the front door interrupted
NJ. Verduret.
"Adieu to my plan; here he is. Re
member, Prosper" said M. Verduret. in
warning tone, mot one word to this
man about your plans, or about me. Pre-
tend to be discouraged, helpless and un-
decided what to do"
And he disappeared behind a curtain
as Prosper ran to open the door. Pros
per's portrait of NJ. de Lagors had not
been an exaggerated one. So handsome
face and manly figure could only be-
long to a noble character. His first i'm
pulse was to throw himself into Prosper's
arms.
Your letter, my dear Prosper" said
Raoul, made me almost i'll, l was so
frightened by 1t. l asked myself if You
could have lost your mind. Then left
everything to fly to your assistance, and
here l am"
Prosper did not seem to hear him; he
was preoccupied about the letter he had
/ not written.
You must not feel discouraged" con-
tinued M. de Lagors, you are young
enough to commence life anew. Your
friends are still left to you. Rely on me-
L am rich, half of my fortune is at your
disposal"
Thanks, Raoul," he said with emo
tion, thank you. But unfortunately
all the money in the world would be of
no use now. have made no plans yet
My mind is too confused for me to
think"
Il will tell you what to do" replied
Raoul, quickly; 'you must start afresh;
until this mysterious robbery is explain
ed you must keep away from Paris. 1t
will never do for you to remain here l
have been talking about you to Clame-
ran. IF l were in Prosper's place. he
said, would turn everything into
money and embark for America; there 1
would make a fortune and return to
crush with my millions those who have
suspected me-"
Il will think it over" Prosper finally
forced himself to say. 81 will see. Il
would like to know what NJ. Fauvel
says"
My uncle? | suppose you know that
l have declined the offer he made me to
enter his banking house, and we have al
most quarreled. l have not set foot in
his house for over a month; but l hear
of him occasionally. My uncle, they say,
is more distressed by this affair than you
are. He does not attend to his business,
and wanders about as if he had lost ev.
cry friend on earth"
And Nine. Fauvel, and-' Prosper
hesitated-"and Mile. Madeleine, how
are they"
"Oh," said Raoul, lightly, my aunt
is as pious as ever. AS to my handsome,
Icy cousin, she cannot bring herself down
to common matters, because she is en-
tirely absorbed in preparing for the fan
cy ball to be given day after tomorrow
by the Jandiders. She has discovered,
so one of her friends told me, a wonder
full dressmaker, a foreigner who has sud-
denly appeared from no one knows
where, who is making costume of
Catherine de Medici's maids of honor;
and 1t Is to be marvel Of beauty"
Excessive suffering brings with it
sort of dull insensibility and stupor; and
Prosper thought that there was nothing
left to be inflicted upon him.
must leave you now, my dear l'ros-
per; on Saturday l will see these ladies
at the ball, and will bring you news of
them. Now, do have courage, and re-
member that, whatever happens, you
1 hnxr1 -