The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-07-31

to England, i mace the acquaintance
of your son, who was a passenger on
the same steamship. Not knowing
who l was, he made to me the prcsSGs-
al that l should join him in scheme
to obtain these bonds-from nySess!
TaaS We should procure then CT
nominal price by deceiving the victim
as to their value; then. that by threat
ening to dispose of them at 8 noder-
ate rate to the comte, or in some mar
ner to place him in possession Of thel'
| 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 Hcoyndrel!" cried the old
banker, in ams..c.-ee1n lana you tolo
him, mademoiselle-"
Il characterized him precisely as
you have done," answered.
He was nay pride, the apple of my
eye," Magniff moaned. 81 made him a
generous allowance, even after he had
disappointed my hopes of some day
seeing HIM succeed to my interests.
But he was hayward from birth. He
could not run straight He is forger,
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; |
could only feel conscious of wave of
vast pity for the old man. SO miser
able, in spite of all his wealth.
Monsieur" l 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 within 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
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 feudal customs of the Bourbons-
notably in your part of France"
Then you will understand" 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- disinherited, as they disin-
4 herited your father?" he asked, eager
ly.
3 nodded Something within me
seemed to rise in protest on behalf of
l. them. | saw the proud old artistocrat
y in the abbey, thought of his four and
q eighty years, destined to end so mis-
g. erably then / remembered my fathers
y wrongs and steeled my heart.
Your revenge shall not be long in
O. tarrying," cried the old man. bringing
ie down his fist upon the table For
u years l have woven my net around
70 them. l was slow, mademoiselle, but
very sure. have them now. In two
n weeks-unless they meet the interest
~ on the mortgage-they lose Clichy
And they cannot meet 1t, the dogs!
he Twelve thousand francs of INTEREST,"
Is. and their castle stripped as bare as g
Ir- hounds tooth. They live like rats in
We the ruins of their magnificence. And
~ even if they meet this interest it will
d. be their last. No, mademoiselle, have
en- no fear. Their day is DONE"
He started and looked keenly at me
fit "Mademoiselle," he said impulsively
tn "either you are indeed the owner o.
lie. you are the cleverest impostor il
fe Paris. You are ready to make an al
tidavtt?"
"Assuredly," / answered
a There will be much-what you cal
ut, red tape. 1t will be necessary Il
he manufacture a new key. Then an OF
de fetal of the government must be pres
ent when you recover your bonds iron
ee the interior of the safe. Return tire
at weeks from today, and the safe shal
he unlock for you"
We "Mademoiselle," he continued, ID
en- you know why l am willing to gan
list BILE upon your honesty thus? 1t Is no
ed sentiment-it is pure business. 1t
i'd because, in the working out Of m
plans, the possession of these bonds
, a essential to me. And so | will ris
ne the loss of what offer you for them
to $4,000 francs.
ID. Ten thousand dollars!" exclaimed
q think | mentioned that specialize
ed. in arithmetic.)
an And" he resumed, "you will her
les and now execute an agreement to Sc
Sc me the bonds for that amount. 0the
it wise-why, mademoiselle, | fear ths
fit you will never be able to establis
ng your identity"
on But it is a prodigious sum-"
lys cried, foolishly.
ay. "They are worth that to me-" al
ed, swered the old banker, quietly. "Ar
you ready to sign, mademoiselle?"
an He brought in a couple of seer