Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-21
SATURDAY. =. JULY aisr. 1906,

him OF his Well-laid track: not an
ticipating any such self assertion on
her part. he was disconnected. and
at a loss how 70 proceed.
Re knew that il wouI1 be useless
TO attempt deceiving q girl of Made
Ieine's character a second time; he
saw that she lad penetrated his mo-
tives sufficiently 70 put her on the
defensive, and prepare her for any
new surprise. Moreover. she would
prevent Nine. Fauvel from being
frightened or forced into submission
any longer.
With modification and rage, Louis
saw that after all his plotting, when
success was In his reach. when his
hopes were almost crowned. he had
been foiled and scornfuliy set at de-
hanee by "A girl; the whole thing
would have TO be gone over again.
Although Madeleine had resigned
herself TO sacrifice, il was stiI evil
dent that she had no idea OF doing so
blindly. and would not hazard her
aunt's and her own happiness upon
the uncertainty of an oral promise.
Clsmeran racked his brain TO fur
nish guarantees; how could he con
vince her that Raoul had no idea or
desire OF annoying Nine Fauvel ia the
future2
He could not tell Madeleine that her
dowry was TO be the price received
by Itaoul for his future good behavior
and post crimes.
The knowledge OF all the circuIn.
stances OF this shameful criminal in
trigue would have rcassured her upon
her aunt's peace Of mind; but then
- would never do 20 inform her %
these details. certainly not before the
marriage.
What securities could he give? Not
one could he think Of
But Clameran was not one Of those
slow-minded men who take weeks TO
consider a difficulty. When he could
not unite knot. he would cut IL.
Isaoul was "a stumbling block TO his
wishes. and he swore TO rid himself OF
his troublesome accomplice as soon
as possible.
Although u was not an easy matter
TO dispose OF 80 cunning knave,
Clamersn felt no hesitation ia under
taking TO accomplish his purpose. He
was melted by one of those passions
which atre renders terrible.
The more certain lac was OF Made
acinc's contempt and dislike, the more
determined he WAS 70 marry her. His
love seemed 90 be sort OF insane
desire % possess and call his own
that one being whom he recognized
as his superior in every way.
But he had sense enough TO sec that
he might ruin his prospects by I'M
due haste, and that the safest course
would be 90 await the result Of the
robbery and It's effect upon Prosper.
He awaited in anxious expectation
of a summons from Nine Fauvel. At
last he concluded that Madeleine was
waiting for him TO make the next
move in the direction Of yielding.
He was right; Madeleine knew that
after the last bold step the accom-
plices would remain quiet for awhile;
she knew that resistance could have
no worse results than would cowarCily
submission; and. therefore, assumed
the entire responsibility of managing
the affair so as To keep at bay both
Raoul and Clameran.
She knew that Mime. Fauvel would
be anxious TO accept any terms of
peace, but determined TO use all her
influence 10 prevent her doing this,
and TO force upon her the necessity
OF preserving dignihed silence.
This accounted for the silence of
the two women. who were quietly
waiting foe their adversaries 70 re-
new hostilities.
They even succcsded in concea,,nc
ther snXiety beneAsi. assumed inthf-
creme; never ASKING ap. qne>iions
about the robbery. or who were in
any way connected with il.
NJ. Fauvel brought them an account
of Prosper's examination, the many
charges brought against him, his OBJ
stinate denial OF having stolen the
money; and, finally. how, after great
perplexity and close study of the case
by the Judge OF instruction, the cash
Ter had been discharged for want Of
sufficient proof against him
Since Clameran's offer TO restore
The notes, Nine FauveI had not doubt
ed Prosper's guilt. She said nothing.
but inwarcly accused him of having
seduced her son from the path Of vir-
tue, and enticed him into crime-her
son whom she would never cease to
love, no matter how great his faults.
Madeleine had perfect faith in Pros
per's innocence.
She was so confident of HIS being
restored 10 liberty. that she ventured
to ask her uncle. under pretext of
some charitab bic object, TO give her 10.
600 francs, which she sent to the un
fortunate victim of circumstantial evil
dence; who, from what she had heard
of his poverty, must be in need of as
sistance.
In the letter-cut from the prayer
book 10 avoid detection by writing
accompanying the money. she advised
Prosper TO leave France, because she
knew that il would be impossible for
man Of his proud nature TO remain
on the scene of his disgrace: the
greater his Innocence, the more in
toierable his suffering.
Beaide< Madeline AZ that tim,