Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-10-20


her TO a chair.
The marquis face blazed.
"Am 1 to be disobeyed in my own
house?" he said, in loud, ringing
voice. Leave the room, gentlemen,
and leave me to this man. You
dare"
Harry stepped to the door.
Zone moment" he said. THE mar
chioness wishes you to remain
The marquis sprang to his feet.
'Tnsolent scoundrel!" he exclaim-
ed. DO you dare-this house is
mine! Leave it, or l hand you over
to Justice!
Harry smiled, and the smile was
more ominous than many words.
NO." he said, gently, 1.-The house
is the Lady of Darracourt's, my lord.
Mr.. Head" and he turned to that
gentleman, who stood petrified with
amazement at the strange complied
ton, "the Marquis of Merle has &C
cused me of burglary and theft. /
am here waiting the constable who
is to take me in charge. Whether
1 am innocent or guilty matters lit
tie at this moment. But meanwhile
a forgery is committed, and the man
who presents the check declares
that the person who gave it to him
is-the marquis. 1 am ready to go
to prison, but on one condition only,
that the man and the marquis are
charged with the forging and pres
entation of the check which the
marchioness disowns."
The marquis sank into his chair
-checkmated.
Mr.. Head locked from one to all
other; the detective kept one hand
upon MIR. Sinclair, while he toyed
with the other with the Landcuffs
concealed in his pocket.
At last the marquis spoke.
"This is braggart insolence." he
said, his eyes glistening. Il know
derstand that mistake may Nave
been made, and''-slOwly and sig
nificantly-'I will undertake to see
that Mr.. Sinclair comes to no harm.
If you will leave him here, gentle
men, l Will promise to produce him
if it should be required"
"Therel" he cried. do you hear?
The marquis is responsible for me
he'll answer for me! Does that look
as if I had forged the check? Take
your hand eff, will your"
The detective looked to M. Head
for instructions. There was evident
ly something behind the case. He
did not want to rake up scandal
in high life.
Mr. Head looked at Lucille.
What shall l do, my LADY," he
said, in a low voice.
Lucille raised her sad, weary eyes
to his face, then turned them to
Harry
He saw that she was tried almost
beyond endurance-that her streng. h
was failing her, and he said, gentry:
Accept the marquis OFFER"
The marquis shot a furious glance
at him.
what business is this OF yours,
sir?" he demanded.
Mr.. Sinclair stole around the table.
Hush Don't-don't riel him. Let
him settle it."
And at the warning whisper the
marquis subsidized
do as you like" he said. waving
his hand. Il do not understand this
this mystery. No doubt Mr.. Sin
clair will explain to me privately"
Mr.. Head made motion to -ee
door
Lucille arose, and Harry unlocked
the door for them to pass out.
As he did so a voice was heard in
the hall-a woman's voice-inquiring
If the marchioness was in. 1t was
Marie Verner's. The footman, who
had seen Lucille pass down the hall
in her outdoor things, replied in the
negative
mo- then / will wait. / must see
her. Could you tell me if Mr.. Herne
has been here?" she asked in quick
anxious tone.
Lucille started
ct is Marie!" she said. "Oh, let
me go to heri"
Harry kept her back gently, and
went into tie hall.
At sight of him Marie uttered a
cry of relief and joy, and, fiinging
up her veil. dashed to his side.
"Oh, Harry, what has happened
Why have you left me so suddenly
Almost on our wedding eve, too
she got no further, for Mr.. Sinclair
who stood as if her voice had turned
him to stone, seemed to return to
life, and with spring dashed past
the men and reached the hall at the
moment Marie was clinging to Har
RVS arm.
She uttered cry and sank back