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

Impossible, I will never believe
such q thing OF Prospect"
Why, how do you suppose dis
covered the secret word Who do you
supposed disobeyed orders aud left
the money in the safe?"
Prosper is honest"
"of course. he is. and so am I. too.
The only thing is that we both need
money"
You are telling falsehood, Ra-
QUIZ
Upon my soul am not. Madeleine
rejected Prosper. and the poor fellow
has TO console himself for her cruel
~; and these sorts of consultations are
expensive, my good mother"
lie took up the candle, and gently
but firmly led Mime. FauveI toward
the staircase.
She mechanically allowed herself "a
be led along. more bewildered by what
she had just heard than she was ~
the opening OF the safe door.
What" she gasped. can Prosper
be thief2''
She began 90 think herself the VIC
tim OF a terrible nightmare. and that,
whom she walked. her mind would be
relieved OF this intolersble torture.
She helplessly clung 20 Raouls arm
as he helped her UP the narrow little
staircase.
You must T7it the KEY hack ia the
secretary" said Itaoul. as soon as they
were in the chamber again.
But she did not seem TO hear him:
Il. 4
in the place from which he had seen
her take il,
He then led. or rather carried. Nine
FauVel into the little sitting-room and
placed her in ar easy chair.
The sci, eNpreSsionless look Of the
~retched ~oman's eyes. and her dared
manner, frightened Rsoul. who
thought that she had lost her mind.
that her reason had finally given way
beneath this hat terrible shock.
Come, cheer mp. my dear mother"
he said. in coaNinR tones. as he
rubbed her icy hands. You have saved
my life. and rendered an immense
service TO Prosper. Don't be alarmed;
everything will come out right in the
end. Prosper will be accused. perhaps
pared for IL: he will deny his culpabil-
ity; and. as there is no proof against
him. he viii be set az liberty immedi-
ately.-
But these falsehocds were wasted
on Nine. Fauel who was incapable
OF understanding anything said 10
her.
"Ro0ul.- she moaned. in n broken
hearted tone. "Baoul. my son. YOU
have killed me"
Her gentle voice. kind even in its
desp0iring accents. touched the very
bottom OF Raours perverted heart.
and once more his soul was wrung by
remorse; so that he felt inclined to
put back the stolen money, and com
fort the despairing woman whose life
and reason he was destroying. The
thought Of Clameran restrained him
Finding bis efforts 10 restore Nine.
Fnuvel fruitless; that. in spite OF all
his aHectiondfe regrets aud prom
Uses, She still sat silent. motionicss.
and death-hke; and. fearing that NJ
Fauvel or Madeleine might enter at
any moment, and demand an eNpiana-
tion-he hastily pressed a kiss upon
his mothers brow. and hurried from
the house.
At the restaurant. in the room
where they had dined, Clamernn. tor
tured by anxiety. awaited his accom-
plice.
he wondered IL at the last moment.
when he was not near 10 sustain him.
kaoul would prove coward. and re-
treat; II any unforeseen trife had
prevented his finding the key; IL any
; visitors were there; and, II SO. would
they depart before NJ. FauveTs re-
turn from the dinner party2
He had worked himself into such
state OF excitement, that. when RAJ
oul returned. he flew 20 him with
ashy face and trembling all over. and
could scarcely gasp out:
"wen?"
THE deed is done. uncle. thanks 20
you; and I am now the most misera-
bic. abject villain on the face of the
earth"
He unbuttoned his vest, and, pull
4 ing ont the four bundles of bank
notes, angrily dashed them upon the
table, saying in tone OF scorn and
disgust:
Now, hope. you are satisfied. This
Is the price OF the happiness. honor.
and perhaps the life, of three peo-
Pile"
! Clameran paid no attention 10 these
angry words. With feverish eagerness
he seized the notes, and ratified them
In his hand, as If TO convince himself
] OF the reality OF success.
=, Now Madeleine is mine." he cried,
excitedly.
kaoul looked at Clameran in silent
disgust. This exhibition of JOY was A
shocking contrast to the scene in which
he had Just been an actor. He was
Inundated at being the tool of sucs.
heartIess scoundrel as he now knew
| ClameTan 10 be.
Louis misintsrpreted this silence.
and said, gayly:
| did you have much dificulty?"
| i forbid you ever TO aIlude to this
evenings work." cried RaouI. fiercely.
DO you hear me? sish to forget
81"