Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-11-18
CHAPTER XI


and formal. Only few words were ex-
changed between the banker and NJ.
Verduret, who was introduced as a rea-
tive of Prosper, and then the two left
the Office
II hope you are satisfied, monsieur"
Prosper said, in a gloomy tone, when
they reached the street, "you exacted
this painful step, and | could only ac-
quiesce. Have gained anything by
adding this humiliation to the others
which | have suffered"
You have not, but | have" replied
NJ. Verduret II could find no way of
gaining access to NJ. Fauvel. save
through you; and now have found out
what | wanted to know. | am convinced
that NJ. Fauvel had nothing to do with
the robbery"
Prosper and his companion had stop
ped to talk more at their ease near the
corner Of the Rue Laftte. NJ. Verduret
seemed to be anxious, and was constant
ly looking around as if he expected some
one. He soon uttered an exclamation Of
satisfaction. At the other end of the
vacant space he saw Cavaillon, who was
bareheaded and running. He was so ex-
cited that he did not even stop to shake
hands with Prosper, but darted up to NJ.
Verduret and said:
They have gone, monsieur They
went about quarter of an hour ago"
Then we have not an instant to lose"
and he handed Cavaillon a note he had
written some hours before at Prosper's
house.
Here, send him this. and then return
at once to your desk; you might be miss
ed. 1t was very rash in you to come out
without your hat"
Cavaillon ran off as quickly as he had
come. Prosper was stupeied.
What" he exclaimed. You know
Cavaillon ?"
$50 it seems" answered NJ. verduret,
with a smile; "but we have no time to
talk; come on, hurryw And he set the
example by striding rapidly toward the
Rue Lafayette. He suddenly stopped
before a door bearing the number 81.
I'VE are going in here" he said to
Prosper; come"
They went up the steps, and stopped
on the second floor, before a door over
which was large sign, Fashionable
Dressmaker." A handsome bellrope hung
on the wall, but NJ. Verduret did not
touch it. He tapped with the knuckles
in peculiar way, and the door instantly
opened as IL some one had been watching
for his signal on the other side. The
door was opened by neatly dressed
woman Of about forty. She quietly ush-
cred NJ. Verduret and Prosper into
neat dining room with several doors
opening into it. NJ. Verduret asked in
a low tone, pointing to one Of the doors:
I'm there?'
NO" said the woman. in the same
tone, over there, in the little parlor."
NJ. Nerduret opened the door pointed
out, and pushed Prosper into the little
parlor, whispering as he did so
60 in, and keep your presence of
mind"
But this injunction was useless. The
instant he cast his eyes around the room
into which he had so unceremoniously
been pushed without any warning, Pros
per exclaimed. in a startled voice:
"Madeleiner'
1t was indeed NJ. Fauvels niece, look
ing more beautiful than ever. Standing
in the middle of the room, near a table
covered with silks and satins, she was
arranging a skirt of red velvet emhroid-
cred in gold. At sight of Prosper all
the blood rushed to her face, and her
beautiful eyes half closed, as if she were
about to faint. She recovered from her
momentary weakness. and the soft ex-
preston of her eyes changed to one of
In trnt ttyt ,trna In nGn III
she said:
"You promised me upon your honor
that you would never again
seek my presence. Is this the way you
keep your wordY'
81 did promise, mademoiselle, but so
many things have happened since that
terrible day that / think l am excusa-
bic in forgetting, for one hour, an oath
torn from me in moment of blind weak
ness. 1t is to chance, at least to another
will than my own, that l am indebted
for the happiness of once more finding
myself near you. Alas! the instant |
saw you my heart bounded with joy.
did not think-no, 1 could not think
that you would prove more pitiless than
strangers have been, and cast me off
when l am SO miserable and heart
broken"
you know me well enough Prosper,
to be sure that no blow can strike you
without reaching me at the same time.
You suffer, suffer with you; pity you
as sister would pity beloved brother"
"a sister, said Prosper, bitterly
"Yes, that was the word you used the
day you banished me from your pres
ence. A sister, Then why during three
years did you delude me with vain
hopes? Was l brother to you the day
when, at the foot Of the altar we swore
to love each other forever. and you
fastened around my neck a holy relic, |
and said, Wear this always for my sake,
never part from it, and it will bring you
good fortunen"
Madeleine attempted to interrupt him |
by n supplicating gesture; he would not |
ieed it, but continued, with increased bit |
terness: