Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1889-1-17, Page 6A LOVE CRIME,. (Ineatemeeze ram ena FREXOR, AYQ 14"Or1a.) ORAP'TER V.—(Coemismere) " Yea have nothing to fear from um" said es/arouse% " We are custom officers. You tire in our house, be it said without demote beeause you came in vrithone our permission, t you are in your own house, also, because the ?lame does not belong to use It is a ruin of whloh we have made use. It is 94 our line of observation, a step or two from the frontier, And. we built here tee pavillion where you are end which dem for uson nighte like these when it isu't goad to sleep out - doom, so don't fret yourselves. There is still a little drop of brandy if you want he "No thank you," said Isabel. "It is at your aervice, arid at; you pleaae, But we have no other dunk." Isabel cletsped her hazels and in a very low velem, so low tbat Jarouests wee forced to stoop in order to hear her, and the Winker, for all his curiosity, could only cattle half the words, vied " Heve pity ou my sister andme, sir. We ;tee sick from hunger. We have eaten notb. ing since yesterday.' "Eaten nothing ! eatea nothing 1" said the brigadier. Ah, thunder ami light- ning 1 do yea hear tbat, Winkeye 1" " Whatis that r These young girls have had nothing to eat," "Oh, it le an easy meeker to Satisfy them, beigedier1 have aozae eausege, beer end bread." °Bun& for two ?," "Yes, aline it es enough for me." Of course, I know your eppetite, Bnt hew about yoereef." "0b L 1 nave my belt, by tighteuing it " Ate d then, to morrow ; well, the dew le to come. Well, ladies, we ate offer you some good white breed, but not very emet w- eave" *0 new eueugh 1 new mieugli 1" put in Wiukeye "It wee out only Ave daye ego," "Five dila? It is quite fresh. Beer witich will be even freeher than tbe bread, and laorraine ;image, seized In a eMeggler's e*.eg, not more than eight days Wilite the brigedier was speaktng, Eye. Winker oupackecl his victuals, The gulf, eat up. The leen busied themaelvea emend *bout therm The Are blazed up. There wee as molt =eke ae blaze ? for there were no citimmeye in thus prhuitive abode, and the melte maned by &mace at ite own Await will by a hole left in the charred hearth; of the roof. When they were eetissfied they thanked the mea, with teara le their eyes, Jareusse and Marboutin were very ill at eves. Tbey heel a theueand epee:ions in their beetle which they did uot dere to eale, for the elegant drees of the eiders and their die tiuguithed looks effected them in spite of the mate of =leery and deprivatiou in which they eaw them. The glee mien tood thin natural curieeity very wele And without telling their wbole history eald eimply tbat tiaey were going to Renureraont to look for work, that they bad lost their way in the wood through an uulueliy aceideut, and bad not beu a able to end their reed, epic. " Rereiremout ?" ctid Jerousee "why yon are not in the road. You are aoing :straight for Gitomagny." There were many obecure points in the story, but in ehort it waa none of their busi- ness. They were not policemen. Looking after emugglere wee them busiaese. Theee young girLs were cold. They eeemed to be Ul. That was inough te excite their cont. pander. They ehould rest themeelvee first at anyrate ana toonorrow, they would see what ought to be done. "Well,' said Jarouese, "yen shall pees the night here. We are ou the wattha few yards away on the mountain, From time te time wo shall corne to zee if the fire in burning and if you want anything, We shall give you our •°bake for it is very cold during tbe night. Luckily I believe our bedclothes will do. alere they are, Wrap them well about your limbs there, like that, "Keep them. Yon will be cold." "Nothing of the kind, our cloaks are heavy and we are walking you sec; the blood circulates them while you are going to sleep. Good night, nothing; we shall be awake," "You are good. You have saved our lives, We shall pray God to bless you." The men buttoned up their coats, turned tip their capotes to ke9 out the now and the wind, took up their riflee and shoulder belts and went out, after bra throwing an armful of dry wood on the fire. The girls remained a long time awake, then little by littlefatigue proved stronger than their fears for the future, their fever- iah anxiety. Their eyelids grew heavy, sleep surprised them, as they lay locked in a close embrace. It was hardly daylight The snow had stopped. Dawn was brezking. The sky was covered with grayish clouds'and the cold seemed a little less keen. The girla ;Went straight up to the peep said took their bandit, " can we thank you," said Isabel, "for all the care you have taken of us?" Don't speak of it; it was nothing," said Jaronsse. "Are you hungry? Are you thiresty ? Eye. winker is going to get some bread and milk at a tavern. We can warzn the milk. That will do you good. But our flasks are not empty and if you prefer a little brandy— "A little milk will do." And with some hesitation Isabel added: "You have the right to ask us some ques- tions and te know what we are and where we came from. Your kindness has made it our duty to hide nothing from you. You ought to know who they are for whom you have done so much. And we have confidence in your discretion." The men did not reply. They seemed even a little embarrassed. They clearly understood that it would give the young girls the preateett pleasure if they were not interrogated at all; but they were men, honed folks without any manners about them and their curiosity prevailed. "'eh don'treinse the offer," said Jerome. "Anti as forwhat had better not be repeated, you can count on up," Then Isabel, often interrupted by Martha, told the story with which our readers are already acquailted, "Well, thab ia unparalleled cruelty," oried legarboutin at each fresh detail. "Ah I poor children And what kind of work will you do 7° They said they were very good at all kinds of 'sewing and embroidery work, aed could also give lessons on the piano. "1 can be of 'use to you, perhaps," said Marbontin. "My wife is a dressmaker on her own account. She has more work them i3he. • can do. I know her heart. She will fall in love with you at once and will take uncom• mon pains to oblige . you.• I am sure she will get you some work herself, and after- erds, as people get to know you, you can go out by the day to the fa maousee and gentletnenet heusee in the neighborhood." "We accept it. Yon bave saved our lives." "1 warn you, you won't find a fortune. For the first few day% unless rny wife is opposed to it, you will sleep ab my house. Ts:time is a room where we can fleda corner for you." "How good you are 1" "4b, pilaw 1 Ten won't roll in, gold, The wages of seametreeses When they go out by the day, are lewdly more then twenty sous, hecaute there are meals to be added to that—three meek a day, that is a consider. abet. When they work at home, thea gee more, forty seas sometimes, not always."e' 4, That ia a fortune eioce it its independ- ence." " Well, you are not hard to please. Are you able to walk about three miles r "Yea if you don't make us go too faet and give us rests." A$ often as you wish." "Come then, let ea gait" "Not before you have drunk peer milk." A quarter of an hour later they started ver the erow, tae men from tleze to time suzilingly helpiegthem, and try big toeucour. age therm It was eight &dock when they arrived. Tee bousewi :ea who were sweeping away the MOW from the doors watched them with ereet ceriesity AS they lamed, "Sweep emugglere these they hue ar- rested,- they eeid te allether. "Can they be Oermau espies. Tim front. ter lute swarmed with them for Rome time. Tbey dieguiee themselves lu All ;torts of Ways," AI rb °utile eonducted. the girls to his bouee. nd Jarouese, e. quarter of an hour efter- weeds at the tavern of the Tbree Eiglete, told about what he allied thew captere. But faithful to the promise be bed given, he 'aid not a word about Bergement. CHAPTER VI. Let us leave the gide to themeelvee. We hell tied them egam in a few days mare elogely bound up than ever with the dream • going on at Bs-eget:tout. Let nu returit to the Stone Oleo Well doee it repro tut the ittle e of woe, that old feudal reanombeuee wit its lofty walla ottgray stone, with the snow niled. ou the correeee mad every repel% like trine wens of spotless ermine. AO the ontaides dee, einee the :weak% the sisters deperted =responded even with the eadnese witlain, One would lave mad that tbe soul of the cheteau hall fled, that the erelle of that rude dwelling had vanithed, that now sorrow and remorse dwelt there. All menaltim ueither °aver, the elembion. ees nor Bargemout were to be Ken. They damned one another. They had to meet swum time, however, and it was dinner time that brouglat them together. The eleremie was the only oue who could eat anythIng. Clotilde heart Sick. Oliver WS glooney and very pale, and for him, with the regret of :Rehm Isabel go earl thtre was mingled a crushing anxiety, tor be had juet received hie fecal Paris and among the lettere be had found one from Mauborgue. Very polite, it was, but every phrase had its own terrible eigele. cancel. It ran thus: "Sir, I am eurprtsed and wimpy at receiving no word from you. I wee loorantfor len time of your de. parture from Paris and your stay at Barge motet after sour duel. It scam to no that you /awn forgotten the Simpson notes on which I advauced you one hundred and twenty.five thousand francs. I knew when you called on me that Simpeon bad left Paris eight tiays at least before tbe date of you giving me these notes. I thought at the time there had been eau frightful impudence on your part and I feared that some day you would find diffoulty in ex- plaining how emu came by these notes, and so instead of putting them in circulation, I thought I would be doing you a service by keepieg them by me. so I have them looked up. count on your retiring thenx prompt ly. 1. also reckon that in doing so you will avoid such conduct as would draw upon. you the curiosity of all Paris it this matter. Como, then, and have a talk with me as to the conditions on wbioh I will give rip these notes which escaped from your pen during a moment of folly. Believe me, sir, in all friendliness and with every disposition to be yours devotedly, Mataloneez." Oliver read this letter over twice. It was clear thee Mauborgue had the forged notes in hia possession. He counted on making a weapon of them. Oliver had been his dupe The situation was desperate, and he saw but two ways out of it, suicide or the gal nape. For how was be to pay? Impossible, even were it a question of only the hun- dred and twenty-five thousand francs, but the last paragraph of Mauborgue' a letter showed en evident) intention to ezact hush - money. And tee Whet aliment would his exactiche teacie Mauborgue had taken care not to specify any particular sum. He was waiting. And how much longer would he wait ? Two or three days, five or six at most. The notes were signed on August 16th. Oliver recalled the most unimportant details of that morning, at the dawn of which, leaning at the window he had seen the curious spectacle of the sky on fire with gory lighb—a sinister presage. From the 19th of Auoueb to the end. of Nov- ember, until that moment, he had thought November would never arrive. How quickly these three months had passed I And how near its fatal expiration, the expiration of shame 1 His first thought was te take the train that very nightand go to Paris, Bub what could be sett to his father and mother ? His seeond thought was to write. He could not make up his mind to that. To write iveuld furnish - a new proof of his Grime. To entreat Mate borgue to wait, to have patience, was im- plicitly to confess himself the author of the forgeries. He hesitated for two days, torn by the most cruel agony. At last he had decided to go, when he received a telegram from Paris. "Since I did nothave a visit from you yesterday, expect one from me tmmorrow. Mau borgue." And so Mauborgne was ooming to Barge. mont. And aiming with what end? To see Oliver first, then. the Marquis, to state his final conditions. Then li they were not accepted to hand over to eoandal, to dis. homer, to the shame of a courtroom the old and unsullied reputation of the Marquis which had never been stained, never breath. ed upon by suspicion. Re went to his owe room and brooded over it, with compressed lips, gloomy eyes, and !roweling forehead. Everything that was bad in him, all the shuddering revolt of a weak, guilty and desperate man,mounted to hie brain it dangerous intoxication. At hie wbadow he passed long hours of the day on which he expected that visit. About four o'clock he saw a hareem= mount the path to the Stone Giant, pass the entrance gate and enter the courtyard. Under the long fur riding oloale whieh eover- ed him completely and streamed over the flanle of the serviceable horse he was riding. Oliver -recognized Ittauborgue, and his heart stopped beating. Re was not mistaken. was the masa from Lefitte Street, the elegant usurer. Mauborgue threw his bridle to a stable boy wile CAMS forward, gave himemneclireotions, and advanced to the house. juet as he was about to mount the steps. the door opened and Oliver Appeared. The unbappy mac was trying to be gay, but a ;surprising paler betrayed his secret dread, his. throat was dry In the intensity of hie anxiety. Mau. borgue had the air of A toall entirely at hie ewe Re gentled broadly on seeing (giver. "Ab, Mr. Bergemont, I an delighted to meet you. To tell the truth I was astonished at your allenoe. I feared, tbat your wound Wad anemia' g you to bed atilt. I am happy, to see that you appear to have recovered. And then in the most camel way added, "A- little pale, perhaps, out of pleasure at eeeteg me no doubt," They me, the anelent room -like hall- way, where hung in pietureeque arraugement guns, daggers, pistols, whips, saddles, deer antlera aed the heads of wild bears and foxes. "I must tailz long and seriously with you," aald Matthergne, in a low voice ; "ale I de so here without interruption r The usurer bed an lasulting amile nnd "No; come up to my room." made a gesture intimating that he was Five minutes later they were shut in toeedt there e "Give us a rest," he said. Maebormie flax% his elkeee. in 4 chair when Yon said a little *site ago jet ne atne he entered: eat eetemea re alt fame. Ke reasonably ; be it ;so, let eui telk reesemalely. • twee teething neeneeeen awe forward, a.9, if hare net the wherowitbal pey you. he felt that he was no longer in his right mind. Two bundral thousand francs," he mur- mured in a geoltieg voice. 44 Ala notice,' said afauborgue with a very serious air, 44 notice that I don't charge you with my travelling expenses." Oliver let fall me the usurer a look millers and peculiar, the look of 4 man tabs? feels hireeelf at bay and le thinking on desperate measure% alauborgue felt a shiver betweea his shoulders. lila hand slid softly into his pantaloon pocket and drew out a little revolver. The hatefel eye of Oliver did not quit ham " He faxehtene me with that look," said the miserable luau to himself, Re rose and went and lent against the window ready to call for help to the servants who were work« in in the courtyard, you must bave two handred thousand, francs ?" " Yes, not cent leaf," "Lbten to roe, I ean't give yen that sum and you know it." "So imixeh the worse." "Not even the half, not even the guar - ter.' "So much the worse, so much the worse," It would be abeelute ruin for my fattier, more than poverty, abeolutely hopeless pov- erty. My father then will not eome to my help. And if he knew my crime he woeld kill me." Meal:ogee ebrugged hie shoulder. be were in hie o ;milt Leffitte atreet. leettber has ray father. If you gtve me up "4.h is there something ell3e ?" "1 am going to give you confidence that one generally gives to his intimate friends only. You assuredly are my enemy, but am trying to find the way to your heart," Well Want is this confidence 1" "1 love a young girl, it is possible that the loves me for she has not repulsed my Aret avowal, Can you imagine her recelv. big the terrible news? See Iter contempt, bar grief, her anger and despair at heiviog been Ole to feel tenderly towerde Man whom the assiz court irss just claimed, and wlione the galleye wait for? Whet an obese yawns suddenly ns her soul! reflect, Mauborgue, on all I tell yoit and think what an iseaninsulation of catastrophe would fall en, as,,on my family firat, who have done nothing to you, en that young girl who is more innocent aill." edielborgue for some minutes had been listening with more attention, lite curios - city ;seemed awakened. Hie eyes were sparkling more brightly. He intetrapted "I see away of getting you out of your Axe' be said. "Seek, 0 speak quickly." "I ask nothing better than to give youths -le, and, shall wait if neceesary, petit after year merriage, These notes, howevere, will then bave paseed their metenty, and I Abell not be able to me them, but we will remedy tbat little inconoenience by A receipe you will give mem yebiolt yea will acknewledge the responsibility for the notes, Thiel shall bend yen tbe day after your marriage." "I don't =aerate:ed." "Patience. Aridagairist this paper, thence -- rile uselees to we, you will tern over to me the tWe bandred eed tweney-Ave thetmend 4 Of welt& spuke to you." lie was elegantly deemed as he alwaye to :Pletfee whet do You Rain Shan't haVO them thee any more than was, and wore &NT$, ge had kept ill bfe you woald very emily Awl wine way " You etty SP 1 tile nearer, coming hand a ilexibie ;twitch, whigit he emistantie of getting otte," neerer, played with. wie eget, mere beret his "0n whet ean I smear to you filet that is "I tel yon Isbell be as poor after mite. lips that out, bis face wore a frewe, owl teePoseibler ge as 1 m now, and coneequeetly juet one would have said that be erfed at times Never *weer, That ouly bleep ember. uuabla te reimburses you." to repress e royetericom Bridle wbicla metaled reeentont later on when Ton oll4ogO Your "But"She has wife's dowry to aide some terriltle plea mind. You pey thouelt you netebt need taw Po dowry." " No thing 1" " Nethieg," Arld *het le the marriage sou are dream« log oil in your deeperate eituatiou, ten atone from an ae,tize court ; and. when, theulte to your name. you }save cbences of making a marriage that would save yea 1, You are 4 foal ant A fool, perhaps. However tbat e teeth," "Them my dear 'sir it la maim to dieetue the matter further. 'Here isery leet word to you. It le now the 22e1 of November. Oliver, very pale, watched him aa he threw torn Bereerooat ,to do la" 411 his amis. Parente*? t Wert "ou will make u the o, were et on A ret. t Was ,lan• borgue, who, seeing that Oliver was nude - aided, WU the first to speak. Ile (lid so in a cavalier A Moat 41E010411 tone. It was no longer the author of the petite letter received the other day, nor the exqui5ite usurer of lonfOtto Street, refitted lu ono and bemino, veneered tiltb elegant amunz.rs, acquired by intercourse with men of the feat/acetate world and copied from them. The brabelity et A Mall Of h what yen Mena " X941 have leo pity." "Dan't repreech me with thets I had pityten you, when you evauted to pay your gaming debts." "My father, I tell you, will at pay Count oely on me," "On you I Why you bega enly ten them, and franct of an mom% It would tette you twenty years to pee; me, meet* euppeabas you lived en welling all that time. * "That is wbet offer you, bowever. I In etght daye more these netee are due. heeleve raedeo tteolf ePte-Yeats 3341841, "a Will give you ray eatery, will work. f.lball 'wait abette here until the 26b. not maueure uts feats and Having the mitt . - wdl trv to get something to do on the nowt. ban ske,z, of cautleecenelou to you, If I am not to give orders. ^ 'Peeore. You know bow Inlereatiti 14"Ple aid on the %till shall go to your father. "You au eot receive zuy letter theta 1" are lex foreign politica in our relations with If on the 27 14, I do not tottch my tWe Fardou m but I did Germany, Italy and Ilusslek 1 know— hundred and twenty five thousand francs, "Ab 1 And you did not consider it ne- oemary to reply," "It was neeletill, tn any the least, and in any Cute dal:gen:am." "Explain youreelf." " Yea, that is what you have come for. And liret of all, I don't at all know what you ramn by doubting the genuineness of the nos I gave you. Are you tbinkittg of Joule absurd Walt on my part, end Jitney to intimidate me in that way 1 My peeition Ls too well enured to be Affected in that way," Mauhorgue :nailed and shrugged his shoulders so contemptuouely that the blood rutted to Oliveres face. He =tie two steps towards the :usurer and raised his hand., Mauborgue awaited him quite impaseively. "Strike if your heart bids you, but it will cost you dear, I promise you." Oliver's; hands! inatiotively "Brace up then and keep cooler. You will gain by it. Let us talk reasonably, will you.? I OM going to play the cards on the table. On the 19.h of August you came to borrow a hundred thoreaud franca from me, 1 nnswered yon, "You haven't a cent. You will find no hundred thousand franca that way: Bet I wilIlet you bave that much if you bring me an equivalent in notes signed Simpson drawn On Immo of the chief houses of Paris,' Is me, memory matt" 44 Yee. And then ?!' I know the diplomats. Mv :situ -Mien ed. tbe thirtieth, don's; forget itt the thing meke ten tlanteend fraeWS ill that Oliver bad name:tea wieg en ete teeeme but 1 a to keep well in armed, I will eat be mule peewee way, Iwill hand over that Alto to you." be liati flint tiseu tip. Out a rnorneut "How will you live I"' ao he bad been oupplicetiug Suddenly "In additiou to all thet I will writ exprention changed mad Me baleful, ernpblete,". •glom leek made Maubergue ;shiver to the You can r. de tbat offhand." urarrow of his boucle "Or etoriee." "aleubereue, I more you you aro wrong "Storiee, OW lee% You will use up all ea. i ° sa - la ., t 1 e -u ire y wt ;mg, eatt to tom e le mac4 a your time upon heel:wee." "1 will live by p*ey if emcee:eery. it chest:leg, uwittedy veice. "lem not aall afreid." matters: little to on if I eugage to turn ite don't tam. tow eaten do,t but tido t over at tenet twenty thotteauti. francs) a yaw nyrato I tell you M tuboreee, chat go to you." angli tbe Antize Omen" **That makes ten years too much." "Wet Ishall riEe, Adieu." izeoa.hdat the least. '. "No, Manbergue. Aare:air." " You refuses,' Tim muter went out tvithout calatieg, ineolentand joceee. OliverremelueJetanainet To be Imre I do. Find some other way." liatenieg to hia stepe dying away in elle 'Don't ream me, elauborgue, don't nuell distauce, He taw huu mount Me horse and me to extremities. I am capalile et tome. pace through the geteway. He thook his thing deeperate. Dos* refuse me, I would it at him. kill you, do you know that,' "For your mislay, and mine, au reroir," i era certain of it, but I am on my1110 e :id wad throwing a cloak over his guard," and he draw the revolver helf out of , •Idera be ran oux and descended the his necket. winding path after Mau:bargee. "1 offer you my whole life, Meuborgue, Whore wee he going ? What was he to atone for my orime—my whole life. lIatt thinking of? What insane :scheme had he 1 lose notbing, .Everything will be pvid but; - to you, interest and all, what more would Mauborgue had hardly five minims' ;drat of him, but the deep ;now and the diffieulties of the ateop petit binderedhia hone from trotting, so that Oliver soon -mat sight of him, appearing and. dieappearing in the windinge toi the road, according as the rooks: and pine trees hid or revealed him time about. Oliver took advantage of the same circumstances to remain unperceived. This strange chase heated an hour. Mau- boreue descended into the valley, then in. stead cf going straight to Thillot, as the young man thought he would do, he had taken the road to Giromagny which creme the magnificent forest of Mentague, The path enlarging and becoming s'aaighter, the chase was made more critical, and Oliver had to take the greatest precautions to avoid clie,covery. Every time the usurer stopped Oliver jumped into a ditch, or among the bushes, or ran into the foresa and so threw his game off the ;went, whom undoubtedly instinct warned, for from time to time he turned round to inspect the long road that lay behind him whitened by the anow. ‘. Clearly," aaid Oliver to himself, "Mac- borgue ie going down either to Giromagny or to some inn in the neighborhood, Them in order to prove to you that 1 you have ? My whole Me, Mauborgue, an d knew the signature d the Sitnpaon house in order that you may keep count of the delay, it isn't two hundred, but two hundred and that I would aceept the notes, I showed you some of that home's bills, ot which tee and fifty thotwand francs that 1 will pay you., 44, More or less, it costa you no more." "ou are pitiless." " Pahaw I Yon have come to the age of reason, and know what you did. You have only yourself to blame." Oliver made a terrible gesture of rage and despair. His two hands, the palms of hundred and twenty five thortaand francs which were premed arnn. his eyes, commeen seemed 0,1 motto, you will no doubt remember, was cut Pas tide. Going out of the cilia for a few minutes I left these notes on my desk, Ono of them was missing when I came back. I passed no comrrene on the flute It suited me. Since it was your affair was it not? When you came in the morning bringing me notes for a signed Arthur Simpson Chninan, 'couldn't to bury their fingers in hie forehead, the help laughing. Really you were too fresh. I almost fele remora° at putting myself againsb an adversary that was so gnileieas. I know Simpson and I knew that he bad left for India more than eight days before. He embarked on the Saghalien at Marzeilles ou August lat. He could aim nothing for you ort the 19th. So then, draw your own conclusions. These drafts and 'bills are forgeries. It is New Caledonia in prospect, and. a very pretty scandal I promise you." nails tore the skin and the blood flowed in tiny streams, Mauborgue kept hold of his revolver and watched the slighteet movement of the un- fortunete man. Oliver suddenly withdrew hie hands from his face and advanced toward the usureni "But it was not to kill him, as the other thought. He fell on his knees as it euppliant, tears in his eyes, his hands clasped and wrung by the inexpresmale anginai of his "You are mac to awl" me. No)0dY pGaition. Awl Ivo crawled, he implorecl, so will believe you," wretched was he, so tritiy Worthy of pity.Oh 1 1 ishttli t try to make mytelf be Anding in the horror of hie crime Words to soften, to convince. "Mauborgue, it it impossible that you bave no pity. It is true that I owe you a very large sum, but I am ready for anything to reimburse you. I only ask time, If pan hand me over to justice, you Ion forever all hope of getting back your huntred and twerity.five thousand francs. Since reaton does not persuade 5 ou, Mauburgue, let me appeal to your heart. In striking me, you do not affect me alone but all m5r innocent family, my father, so strict in all that touches his honour, my mother so good and tender, my brother who is an officer, and whose career, you will destroy. What ruin can you cause by a word I" "You should have foremen all that, hewer, er." Foreseen, do you say? If 1 could have reflected, held myself • back, I should not lama played and then I should nob have lost—or having played send lost, I should have killed myself 1 I have been a fool, I am one still. But do not push me to extremities. Have a care? See, .Mauborgue, I implore you. Try and think what my life has been since that crime, that disgrace, that crushing memory. I have tried not to think of it, but how? I have not had a minute's calm, or repose, cr security; 01. ways fear. You can't know what that life has been, or you would not dare to abuse it, and add still mare to its burden. If I had no family, if I were alone, I em not sure but I would prefer to have the thing finished at once, and leave you free to act against me. I would deliver myself to the punish- meut I have deserved. It is the feeling of the accused person in his cell, tortured by questionings, im bhe burden of his crime, and who finishes by confessing and then breathee e5iIy. I breathe no longer, Main borgue, I am stifling." The usurer made a motion signifying : "What do you want me to do 7" "Itt shrift, Mauborgue, I wish to tell you all," ieved. I shall merely produce my facts. They speak for themselves and explain things. Your signature is on them. Be. sides, to avoid all mistakes, and in spite of myperfect certainty, I telegraphed to Cairo, where I knew Simpson was to stop a few days. I told him the facts,' "And he answered you in "The very ,next day. Here is a copy ef his telegram : " Mauborgue, Leflitte Se I know no• hing about these notes. Haven't seen Mr. Bargemont. If I had I have no reason to newer for him and facilitate the payment bis debts-. The signature is a forgery." "Some hours afterwardeIreceived another ispatoh "1 leave with you the business of doing what is necessary." "So you have had four days to decide. What do yea mean to do 2" Oliver had his handkerchief in his hands. t was wet with sweat. He was shivering. "Less loud, I entreat you," he said looking onuaditye.r,rifled way at the doors, "speak less "0, pshaw 1 I have made an impression n your mind it seems, Have patience. I hetet bore you long. Let us resume. Do ou mean to take up these notes ?" "Yes." What do you 'want? I was expecting o be blackmailed. Your demand does not urprise "Call it blackmail if you like, the name oesn't bother me. .You are ruined if I peak. My silence is worth a hundred housand trainee." Mauborgue had remained standing during his collemay, now he sat down and begun echanicaily to tap his knee gently with is switch. He did not even look at Oliver but with is eyeglass begen to examine Roam pictures n the wall. - The young vvae stunned. The enormous gures seemed to dance before his ego, and Re knew of every old traok and short eat In the &tett havieg ftea berlied the wed boar in hes father it eampany. Running along one of them Ile gained the highroad mettle about a mile ana a half further on. The deep snovr prevented laim hearing the hiise of the horse's hoofs, but soon the horseman came in sight. He let him pase. Mauborgue did not see him. Not far from there, before one enters the village of Gin omagny is a well known inn frequented by all tourists who visit this part ot the Vosges every year during the season. It is called the hotel of the &centres% It was there that Miaboutin said Eye -Winker had got some milk for Martha and Isabel. The house was built close to the road and had the forest at its back. It commanded it very pretty valley running into the moun• tains whence often resounded the baying of hounds and the blast of the boar -hunter's horn. "It is perhaps to the Red -Grass he is go - i' ng " said Oliver to lximaelf. "There isn't better Inc in the country and Mauborgue levet hit ease." He followed him with his eyes as far as he could. He had left the forest and without thinking was standing in full view near the . roadside ditoh. In certain steedy, fixed looks, in which the will power of a man le concentrated, there is sometimes electrical currents. Mauborgue auddenly turned his head. Oliver, re- alizing his danger, made one bound and at once the brushwood -made an impenetra- ble wall lcaween him and the hcrseman. He thought he had not been seen. Mau- borgue stopped at the 1?ouge Gazon and got down. But he seemed much affected. • He aimed fell when he got out of the saddle, and was trembling when he went in. He went up to his room, arid remained in deep thought "I could swear it was he," he murt mimed, " he has followed me. I saw aorne- body at a distance half an hour ago who seemed to be hiding—but down there, at a turning in the forest suddenly It ie he aril ewe of it, but perhaps not; wha he want with me?" He went to the v ende waited.at Nobody ow t h ee tettow e: f "What lee stopped. He lia.d it stemma loser ; house. Twice I thought he had bl his eye. There was it little sweat on h Would he be capable ef— Re sat down at a table, took a a paper, and rapidly wrote a few words ed and put the sheet in an envelope, S. the whole in Ms pocket book frorn wh drew 80111a receipte, benle notes, and 1 of exchange, signed Simpson, Thews re and lettere he oarefelly replaced in a $ long note book which is need by criers, commereial travellera. This be rolled and put in his pocket, and them, going the door called the aost. "Mr. Bucaille, come up to No. 4 if you platee." A deep vOiCO, full and lolly, replied. Presently, I am serving, and. 40.41— Landlord 13uaaille, it big, amiling-faced, 8gaoyeielphg.umouredfellow, high of colour, broad of shoulder, big of paancb, was as good as hit word, and rolled into Mauborgue room "Bore I aro patron, at your service." "It is nothing much I want. Listen to me carefully. Here its a pocket Wok: very flab you Bee It contains ooly see envelo and that holds only a :sheet of paper! ENtleev%eptheepleeres asiec'ta Dk 'alb:ea v 0110e:sr e i on toia I eonfide it teyou, 1 might I be my jeureey over the moutetain." De yon wish a receipt, bier "No watter." :Dharyeroriapuexer staydtaoysvaloon4r,. h gbeet,,: ges isn't a cheerful place with this sno Itt;7toillie.r2 is hentleg. 1Can get etel a eleuhergue made a face Shemin th seeousied the eue,gestiou And mine bos not pre44 tbe metier, He went out t the peoltet beek with bite. "Take very evadea1 ore of it, now, led Mauborgue from the top of the stab way. "0, !teen your mind very %I that," Theu the Answer opeuea the letters *a had COMO during his Absence, Wrete replies, and just ea he had dulthed the 1 One the teveru clock told Max it was dinner time. Be went alowly down to the dining. - room. He was quite lade And preoccupied. "I should perhaps do better to return to Paris this evetting," he eaid, there I thosaid be sate aud I ceeld wait, while bere—" Then his thought scan changed for he made a careless gesture. "Nonsense ! be would net dare. Pabsew 1 Beeldee I am ferewerued cue well armed.' 011APTER VIL Re had said to Oliver, "1 then walt tilt he %WI of Novernbar." t0 waited pstleat. ly. As be received no news tram Bergement on tbe 2Gth, after taking a hearty breakfast at the IteuitmGezer he bail his hone brought rotted and weut oil to the Stouts Giant. It was snowing no longer. The :tight frosts hail berdeued the snow on tbe road which lied grown elippery by the inceresaut pmeaeo of conveystneee. lea the sky recov- ered, quite obetrueted by the thick cloude he ono had no chauee to peoduce a thaw, Ho arrived at the Caateau ebout two o'clock. Ile WwreClilleAlty about Oliver and meted the Ant evrvarst he met to tell the Zifergele Bergs -newt The Mall ran to toll his meeter. elanborguo waited in the ball end (fltver, who had :leen him front Ma win. dew. ousIdenly appeared, He quickly epproataied the eaurer. (To In: CONTINCED ) A New beak« Two sidedness l A visible emmlutrity of tho current belle. No matter how fair and ectaaro her despeeitien may be, her gewrat have sides that do not mattelt tacit other. Ines° halved robes soggeat flake trick cos- tumes that tho double.voiced sougstreases of the stage need to wear. With A dark, heavy side to turn to the Audience who.: she sing in it cleca contralto, and it light sido to expose during the high soprano warbling, she heightened the illusion. The coquette of to. day might keep two wooers eimulteneouely at her sides, and neither would afterward be able to confound her with the other by a de. scriettion of her apparel. Even if it were evening, and her bends reeved, One chap might swear truly that the band. he had fona. led waspink, while the other might as cor- rectly vow that the hand. lae had squeezed was drab. It in a freak of the more daring and eccentric girls to mismatch their gloves in that manner, making each hand harmon- ise in hue with its side of the toilet. "Oh 1 I am glad to meet you," said a very gallant but very natal:felted chap to one of a bevy of girls, "I think I was intro- duced to your sister a few minute e ago." "It was to tne thatyou were introduced," said the girl. Then observing his doubt he explained: "Yon were on the laomandt velvet side of me then, but you are on the satin -and -brocade aide now," and she turned around to show him hc w like joined. but dis- similar halves were her dress,— eNe w York Sant 'HASHES nom T.HE ZELEGRAPIL Mount Vesuvius is showing increasing ac- tivity. A new cone which had formed has been rent open. The Alexandria mills at Oldham, England, have been burned. Loss $30,000. The Deirymeres Convention at Sinitied Falls, was a most auccesefui and useful gathering, A field of ice seven feet thick has format outeide the sea walls at Odessa, Russia. The field extends it distance of ten miles uut to Bea. An epidemic of diphtheria le raging at Nago, Hungary. Twenty children are dying' daily. The schools are closed and a pame prevails. A French Canadian named Philip Morrie' was so badly beaten by two brothers named Helmer at Flesherton, that he died in a few hours. Buffet° has had 121 cases of smallpox and 40 deaths. It is quite time that city quit fooling with the disease. it might, having first vaccinated them, send its Mayor and Council to take a few lessons in Toronto. There were no daily„pa.pers in Solomon's day. But Solomon got the news, all the same, and more, too. His seven hundred wives attended sewing.oiroles, quilting bees and other news-dispenstng bureaus. To Blanton Duncan, of liouisville, is said to belong the questionable honor of having ntrodueed the English sparrow to America. iffe has always been it great Sportsman. He rought over some sparrows from England o protect his orchard from other birds as well as from worms and other destruOtive needs, ' A football match was recently played at tockport at night by the aid of electric ights, There were 5,000 spectator% present.