The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-10-01

as to their value; then, that by threat.
ening to dispose of them at a moder-
ate rate to the comte, or in some man
ner to place him in possession Of them
thereby enabling him to pay on 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," / answered.
He was my pride. the apple Of my
eye," Magniff moaned. 81 made him
generous allowance, even after he had
disappointed my hopes Of some day
seeing hm succeed to my interests.
But he was wayward from birth. He
could not run straight. He is a 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 gen.
uine, that my anger evaporated; l
could only feel conscious of wave Of
vast pity for the old man, SO miser-
able, in spite of all his wealth.
Monsieur" said, presently, you
doubtless are acquainted with the cir
cumstances that drove my father into
exile"
He nodded. Il 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 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" l pur'
sued, that do not harbor any good
will against my grandfather or his
grandson"
He looked up at me hopefully, as
though he found cause for rejoicing
that anyone should share his hatred.
You would gladly see them dispos
sessed-disinherit as they disin
herited your father" he asked, eager
ly.
l nodded. Something within me
seemed to rise in protest on behalf oi
them. 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. Fol
years | have woven my net around
them. was slow, mademoiselle, bu
very sure. l have them now. In two
weeks-unless they meet the interes
on the mortgage-they lose Clichy
And they cannot meet it, the dogs
Twelve thousand francs Of INTEREST,"
and their castle stripped as bare as ;
hounds tooth They live like rats il
the ruins of their magnificence. And
even if they meet this interest 1t will
be their last. No, mademoiselle, hav'
no fear. Their day is DONE"
He started and looked keenly at me
"Mademoiselle," he said inipulsively
"either you are indeed the owner o
you are the cleverest impostor II
Paris. You are ready to make an al
fidavit"
"Assuredly," answered.
There will be much-what you cal
red tape 1t will be necessary t.
manufacture a new key. Then an oi
, fetal of the government must be pres
ent when you recover your bonds from
the interior of the safe. Return thre
weeks from today, and the safe shal
. unlock for YOU"
"Mademoiselle," he continued, I'd
you know why I am willing to gan
BILE upon your honesty thus?' 1t is no
sentiment--it is pure business. 1t
U0CduSG, III LAS "OIhAh6 Out Vi Al
plans, the possession of these bonds
essential to me. And so ] will ris
} the loss Of what offer you for them
, $4,000 francs.
Ten thousand dollars!" exclaimed
q think mentioned that specialize
in arithmetic.)
And" he resumed. you will her
) and-now execute an agreement to Sc
: me the bonds for that amount. Othe
t wise-why, mademoiselle, fear ths
t you will never be able to establis
: your identity"
! "But it is a prodigious sum-"
) cried, foolishly.
They are worth that to me-" al
/, swered the old banker, quietly. "Al
you ready to sign, mademoiselle%
: He brought in couple Of seer
3 taries and dictated the draft of th
agreement. In consideration of d
! transfer Of the bonds, was to receiy
Q the sum of 49,274 francs, payab
three weeks from that day.
v "The deficit is to. cover the unpa
!. rental Of the safety deposit box"
v explained, suavely
+ Cro BE CoNTINUEo.J