Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-07-21
FILE NO. ll3.
ONE OF THE MYSTERIES OF PARIS, AND HOW
1T WAS SOLVED.


self.
"Raoul,"
1T is the sad truth. my poor moth
er; but fear nothing. / shall not trail
in the dust the name which you be
slowed upon me I will at least have
the courage not 10 survive my dis
honor. Come. mother; don't pity me.
or distress yourself; j am one of
those miserable beings fated to find
no peace save in the arms OF death.
came into the world with misfor-
tune stamped upon my brow. Was
not my birth "a shame and disgrace TO
your Did not the memory Of my ex-
istence haunt You day and night, fill
ing your soul with remorse2 And now,
when / am restored to YOU after many
years separation. do 1 not prove TO
be bitter curse. instead of a bless
ing2"
"Ungroteful boy, Have 1 ever re-
preached you2'
Never. Your poor Raoul will die
with your beloved name on his lips:
his last words prayer &c Heaven 70
heap blessings upon your head, and
reward your long-suffering devotion"
/ AFA VIZ ny ~tnf
1t must hr, my dear mother; honor
sompels IL. am condemned by Judges
from whose decision no appeal can be
talSen-my conscience and my will"
An hour ago Nine. Fauvel would
have sworn that Raoul had made her
suffer all the torrents that a woman
could endure; but now she felt that
AL her former troubles were nothing
compared with her present aFony.
''My Godl Raou. what have You
been doingI~ abe gasped
Money was intrusted 20 me; I
gambled. and lost it."
WAS IL a large sum7'
NO; but more than you can re-
place Ny poor mother. have not
taken everything from your Did you
not give me your last jewel2''
But Monsieur de Clamersn IL rich.
He placed his fortune at my disposal
will order the carriage and go 20
him"
But Monsieur de Clameran Is alb
sent, and will not return 10 Paris un-
til next week. and IL do not have
the money this evening am lost.
Alas have thought deeply. and. al
though II is hard TO die so young,
still. fate wills IL So"
He pulled pistol from his pocket,
and. with forced smile. said;
This will settle everything"
Nine. Fauvel was too excited and
frightened to reflect upon the horror
OF Raoul's behavior. and that these wild
| . - l..
ing money. Forgetful OF the past.
careless Of the future, her every
] thought concentrated upon the pres
ent. she comPrehended but one fact
that her son was about 70 commit sui
eide. and that she was powerless TO
prevent the fearful deed.
All. wait "a little while, my sonl"
she cried. Andre Will soon return
home, and will ask him 70 give me
How much did you lose"
Thirty thousand francs"
you shall have them tomorrow"
"But 1 must have tho money to-
night"
Nine. Fauvel wrung her hands In
despair.
obi why did you not come 20 me
sooner, my son? Why did you not
have confidence enough in me 10 come
at once for help? This evening? There
is no one in the house 70 open the
money safe; II IL were not for that
IL you had only come before Andre
went out"
The safe," cried Raoul with sud
den JOY, as il this magic word had
thrown a ray OF light upon his dark
/ despair; do you know where the key
is kept?"
Yes; IL IL IA the next room"
J Welt" he exclaimed. with a bold
look that caused Nine. Fauvel 70 low
er her eyes and keep silent.
Give me the key. mother" he said
in a tone of entreaty.
"Oh, Raoul, Raoull"
1T is my life am asking OF YOU"
These words decided her: she
snatched up a candle, rushed into her
chamber, opened the secretary, and
took out NJ. Fauvers key.
But, when about 10 hand IL TO Ra-
oul. she seemed suddenly 20 see the
enormity of what she was doing.
| "Oh, Raoull my son." she muir
INJURED, Il can notl Do not ask me 10
commit such "A dreadful deed"
He said nothing but sadly turned
10 leave the room; then. coming back
TO his mother, said:
| "Ah. well; II makes but little diff
| ference in the end, At least you will
| give me one last kiss, before we part
forever. my darling motherl"
What could you do with the key,
Raoui?" interrupted Nine. Fauvel.
You do not know the secret word of
the buttons"
"No; but can try TO open it with
out moving the buttons"
you know that money is never
kept in the safe over night"
Nevertheless. / can make the at
tempt If l open the safe and find
money in il, il will be miracle, show
ing that Heaven has pitied my misfor-
tunes and provided relief"
| And if you are not successful, will
/ you promise me to wait until to-mor-
row, 20 do nothing rash to-night?"
II will swear il, by my fathers