Middletown transcript., 1914-07-04

" GuSlduUs mduo the dCQudAAlhASs
of your son, who was a passenger or
the same steamship. Not knowing
who was, he made to me the propos
al that should join him in a scheme
to obtain these bonds-from myself
That we should procure them at q
nominal price by deceiving the victim
as to their value; then, that by threat
ening to dispose Of them at moder
ate rate to the comte, or in some man
ner to place him in possession Of them
thereby enabling him to pay of the
mortgage you hold over him, we
should force you to purchase them
from US at an enormous rate, or lose
your mortgage. and, with it, your hold
over your enemy. Yes, he told me
everything"
Miserable scoundrel!" cried the old
banker, in amazement. "And you told
him, mademoiselle-"
Il characterized him precisely as
you have DONE" 1 answered.
| ''He was my pride. the apple Of my
eye" Magnif moaned. 81 made him a
generous allowance, even after he had
disappointed my hopes of some day
seeing Inn succeed to my interests.
But he was wayward from birth. He
could not run straight He is forger,
a thief, trickster. He has been the
despair of my life, the curse of my old
age. And now he plans to blackmail
his own father!"
His outburst was SO sincere, SO gem
uine, that my anger evaporated; l
could only feel conscious of a wave Of
vast pity for the old man, so miser-
able, in spite of all his wealth.
Monsieur" 1 said, presently, you
doubtless are acquainted with the cir
cumstances that drove my father into
exile"
He nodded. 81 have been your grand
fathers banker for forty years." he an
swered. 1T was unjust; the whim Of
an ancient aristocrat who placed his
own pride before his sons happiness.
He drove him from his house because
they differed in politics. Ciel! What
a cause! What a cause for disinherit-
ing ones own son! He could never
have done so under the law, mademoi-
selle, but unfortunately some of the
old estates are still controlled by the
old feudal customs of the Bourbons-
notably in your part of France"
Then you will understand" 1 pur-
sued, that 1 do not harbor any good
will against my grandfather or his
grandson"
He looked up at me hopefully, as
though ne found cause for rejoicing
that anyone should share his hatred.
you would gladly see them dispos-
sessed- -disinherited, as they disin--
herited your father?" he asked, eager
ly.
1 nodded. Something within me
seemed to rise in protest on behalf of
them. 1 saw the proud old artistocrat
in the abbey, thought of his four and
eighty years, destined to end SO mis-
erably; then l remembered my fathers
wrongs and steeled my heart
Your revenge shall not be long in
tarrying," cried the old man, bringing
down his fist upon the table For
years have woven my net around
them. I was slow, mademoiselle, but
very sure. 1 have them now In two
weeks-unless they meet the interest
on the ortgage-they lose Clichy.
And they cannot meet it, the dogs!
Twelve thousand francs of interest!-
and their castle stripped as bare as a
hounds tooth. They live like rats in
the ruins of their magnifcence. And,
even if they meet this interest it will
be their last. No, mademoiselle, have
no fear. Their day is done"
He started and looked keenly at me.
''Mademoiselle," he said impulsively,
either you are indeed the owner or
you are the cleverest impostor in
Paris. You are ready to make an af-
fidavit?"
"Assuredly," l answered.
There will be much-what you call
red tape 1t will be necessary to
manufacture a new key. Then an Of
fetal of the government must be pres
ent when you recover your bonds from
the interior of the safe. Return three
weeks from today, and the safe shall
unlock for you"
"MademoiselIe," he continued, "do
you know why l am willing to gam
BILE upon your honesty thus? 1t is not
sentiment-it is pure business. 1t is
because, in the working out of my |
plans, the possession of these bonds is
essential to me. And so / will risk |
the loss of what l offer you Tor them
$4,000 francs.
"Ten thousand dollars!" 1 exclaimed.
Il think I mentioned that specialized
in arithmetic)
And" he resumed, you will here
and now execute an agreement to sell
me the bonds for that amount Other
mademoiselle, fear that
you will never be able to establish
your identity"
But it is a prodigious sunni"
cried, foolishly.
"They are worth that to me-" an
;wered the old banker, quietly. Are
you ready to sign, mademoiseue?"
He brought in a couple of secre-
aries and dictated the draft of the
lgreement. In consideration of the
ransfer of the bonds, was to receive
he sum of 1924 francs, payable
hree weeks from that day.
''The deficit is to cover the unpaid
entail of the safety deposit box" he
suavely.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
Mustache for Young England.