The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1914-11-14

! 10 England, I made ne acquaintanss
OF your SON. who was . passenger On
| the same steamship. Not knquo&G
who | was, he made to me the br6S
Al that / should join him In . schsihe
to obtain these bonds--from myself
That we should procure them 1t q
nominal price by deceiving the victim
as to their value; then. that by threat
ening to dispose Of them ct 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
f, 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-"
II characterized him precisely n
you have DONE" I answered.
HE was my pride, the apple Of my
eye." Magniff moaned. Il made him .
generous allowance, even after he had
disappointed my hopes OF some day
seeing Inn succeed to my interests.
But he was hayward from birth. He
could not run straight. He IL forger,
a thief, q 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. 30 gen.
uine, that my anger evaporated: I
could only feel conscious of wave Of
vast pity for the old man, 80 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. II 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
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" pur-
sued. that do not harbor any good
will against my grandfather or his
grandson"
He looked up at me hopefully, a.
though he found cause for rejoicing
that anyone should share his hatred.
you would gladly see them dispos-
sessed- disinherited. as they disin-
herited your fatherf" he asked. eager.
ly.
I nodded. Something within me
seemed to rise in protest on behalf Of
them. ! saw the proud old artistocrat
In the abbey. thought Of his four and
eighty years, destined to end 20 mis-
erably: then 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 I have woven my net around
them. was slow. mademoiselle. but
very sure. have them now. In two
weeks-unless they meet the interest
on the mortgage-they lose Clichy.
And they cannot meet It, the dogs!
Twelve thousand francs of interesti--
and their castle stripped as bare a
hounds tooth. They live like rats in
the ruins Of their magnihcence. And.
even II they meet this interest II win
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-
fdavit?"
:" Assuredly," answered.
There will be much--what you call
red tape II will be necessary to
manufacture new key. Then an Of
fetal Of the government must be pres
emit when you recover your bonds from
the interior Of the safe. Return three
weeks from today. and the safe shall
unlock for you"
"Mademoiselle." he continued, do
you know why I am willing to gam
BILE upon your honesty thusf Il 10 not
sentimental IL pure business. Il II
because. in the working out Of my
plans. the possession Of these bonds II
essential to me. And 30 win risk
the loss Of what offer you for them
$4,000 francs.
Ten thousand dollars!" I exclaimed
Il think mentioned that specialized
In arithmetic.)
And" he resumed, you win here
and now execute an agreement to sail
me the bonds for that amount Other
wise-why, mademoiselle. fear that
you win never be able to estsbliah
your identity"
But It Is prodigious sunni ]
cried. foolishly. *
"They are worth that tp me- an
swered the old banker, quietly. sArs
you ready to sign. mademoisellef
He brought In couple Of ssers-
taries and dictated tho DRAFT ~ he
agreement. In confederation oI the
transfer Of the bonds, I Wa 70 reoeive