Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-10-21
CHAPTER V.

At the same hour that Madame Nina
Gypsy was seeking refuge at the Arch.
angel, SO highly recommended by Fan.
ferlot, Bertomy was being entered on the
commitment book at the police office.
Since the moment when he had resum-
ed his habitual composure, he had not
faltered. But when he was ordered to
empty his pockets on the table, and they
began to search him, his eyes flashed in
dignation, and single tear dropped upon
his flushed cheek.
The search would have, perhaps, been
carried to the most ignominious lengths,
but for the Intervention of a middle.aged
gentleman, who wore a white cravat and
gold spectacles, and was sitting quite at
home by the fire. He started with sur
prise, and seemed much agitated when he
saw Prosper brought in by the officer.
In spite of his own troubles, Prosper
could not help seeing that he kept his
eyes fastened upon him. This man, treat
ed with all the Difference due to SUI
perior, was no less parsonage than NJ.
Lecoq, the celebrated member of the de-
tective corps. When the men who were
searching Prosper were about to take off
his boots, saying that knife blade might
be concealed in them, NJ Lecoq waved
them aside with authority and said:
You have done enough"
He was obeyed. All the formalities
being ended, the unfortunate cashier
was taken to cell; the heavily barred
door was swung to and locked upon him;
he breathed freely at last he was alone.
While his whole past was the object
Of the most minute investigations, Pros
per was in prison, in solitary confne-
ment. Five days passed. and the
wretched man, tortured by sufferings
which quickly break the spirit, sunk into
the depths Of despair.
On Monday morning, at one o'clock,
an hour when the jailer never came, he
heard the heavy bolt Of his cell pushed
back. He ran toward the door. But the
sight Of a gray-headed man standing on
the sill rooted him to the spot.
Father" he gasped, "father!"
Prosper's astonishment at seeing his
father was instantly succeeded by feel
ing of great joy. Without rejecting, i'm
PEELED by tender feeling, he was about to
throw himself OH his fathers bosom. M.
Bertomy harshly repulsed him.
do not approach mel" he exclaimed.
He then advanced into the cell, and
closed the door. The father and sor
were alone ogether-Prosper, heartbrok.
en- crushed; M. Bertomy, angry, almost
threatening.
You, too" Prosper bitterly cried.
"You-you believe me guilty? Oh, faith
er! You overwhelm me, at the moment
when l need all my courage; the victim
of an odious plot"
"Victim!" cried NJ. Bertomy, "victim!
Dare you utter your insinuations against
the honorable man who has taken care Of
you, loaded you with benefits. and had
insured you brilliant future? 1t is
enough for you to have robbed him: do
not calumniate him."
"For PHYS sake, father, let me
speak"
81 suppose you would deny your bene-
factors kindness. Yet you were at one
time so sure Of his affection, that you
wrote me to hold myself in readiness to
come to Paris and ask NJ. Fauvel for the
hand of his niece. Was that a lie, too?"
NO" said Prosper, in a choked voice,
mo"
THAT was year ago; you then loved
Mademoiselle Madeleine; at least, you
wrote me that. and the thought of the
pure, innocent girl whom you loved did
not prevent your entering upon path Of
crime"
"Ah, father, you do not know that I
was suddenly banished from Madeleine s
presence; that | was compelled to avoid
her. l became desperate. l sought OBJ
livion, and found shame and disgust. Oh,
Madeleine, Madeleine! Everything is
against me" he exclaimed, "but no mat
ter. | will justify myself or perish in
the attempt. Human justice is liable to
error; although innocent, l may be con-
victed; so be it. | will undergo my pen
atty; but people are not kept felons for
ever"
What do you mean?"
II mean, father that am now an
other man. My life, henceforth has an
object-vengeance. l am the victim Of
a vile plot. AS long as have drop Of
blood in my veins | will seek its au-
thor. And | will certainly find him; and
then bitterly shall he expiate all of my
cruel suffering. The blow came from the
house of Fauvel and will live to prove
it."
A thousand conflicting emotions SEEM
ed to rend the old mans heart. He had
resolved to leave, as he had entered,
stern and angry; he had not the cruel
courage. His heart was breaking. He
opened his arms and pressed Prosper to
his heart.
"Oh, my son" he murmured, "heaven
grant you have spoken the truth"
(To be continued.'
Coffee =. nn.u;I