Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1903 — ALL FOR A TITLE; or THE BANKER’S WARD. [ARTICLE]

ALL FOR A TITLE; or THE BANKER’S WARD.

By ALBERT H.

MODRICKER, Author ol

••John Q. Keiffer * Co./» •* Won By Strategy,” “ The Tramp’* Stroks,” No. 2,001,” Etc. Copyright. WOH By CstCAOO WswsrArse Onion.

CHAPTER IH. “I thought I wan on tha right track,” fceamely exclaimed the banker. "I thought I would find you here.” “Yea,” responded Victor, Quite com* peaedly, tor he eaw at once that there were breakers ahead and he determined upon a bold more’ “I wae excused today and hastened to see Beatrice to extend an invitation to attend a reception qhU evening at uncle's residence.” “Thanks I I have already declined. Miss Albenson received an invitation, too. but it does not suit me.” Beatrice was chagrined; the prospect us spending the evening with Victor had been ve ry pleasant. “Oh, papa, you will let me go, won’t you 1" she pleaded. “No, you will remain here,” he answered, roughly. “Mr. Raymond,” continued the banker, sternly, “I ask that you do not address my word by her Lutetian name. It sounds too Intimate —especially from strangers.” “Why, papa," Interrupted the girl, “Victor is no stranger; we have known aarti Other since childhood, and my mother regarded him almost as her son. I cannot call him a stranger.” “Art you master in this house or am 11” inquired Marsden, severely. "Do sou claim to decide as to who shall enter m friend or stranger?” ' “Not quite; but I have the same right In dtooeing my friends that you have, Cvsn if I do not have a mansion in which ||» receive them; but in case 1 were possessed of one, It la not necessary for me say that Mr. Raymond would receive 'C hearty welcome,” and her eyee met [Victor's hopefully. j "Beatrice, it is time yon spoke more prudently. Neither you nor Mr. Raymond are children, so do not express to at mutual feelings so plainly—lt la tomtrary to custom and usage.”

“Papa,” Interrupted Beatrice, changing the subject, “will you please return pay letter? You are well aware that it (•Tie addressed to me by Mr. Raymond.” For a moment their eyes met; a fleqdlah hatred was risible In Marsden’s uneasy pupils, while quiet determination Bashed from Beatrice's large, dark orba. “I haveburned the traah,” averred the Ranker. “If there waa a mistake It is •too late to correct It now. As we have touched this subject, and as Mr. Raymond, by hie silence, has confessed to saving sent the letter without my content, I wish you to distinctly understand, young man, that Miss Albenson Is legally—mark it, legally—my ward, and that 4 forbid this correspondence as well as 1 renounce the pleasure of seeing you Itere again.” "Mr. Marsden, I am sorry to have arouaed your anger. Alac! I have only an unblemished name to offer, but my love for Mias Albenson will remain honest, steadfast and unchangeable to the and. Of course, I cannot and will not met against your decision, but I hope to gain your kind favor In time, and I only jtake the liberty of admonishing you not to transfer your feelings beyond the preai*nt lima and place. Neither of our Inmarsats would be benefited by a publicity «f this affair." As tha banker earnestly desired to isonceal his ward’s attachment from the 'ears of the count, he readily consented land addressed Victor with more cour*sey. "All right, sir, the matter shall rest jhere. You will keep your situation at -the bank, bat, of course, you understand il will not tolerate your presence here. Beatrice will make a good marriage ■and ” "Papa, what do you mean by a good marriage? I have always thought true (love was the main requisite.” "Nonsense l Only a school girl’a idea. In five yearn you will thank me for having aeen to your future." "I will always try to follow your advice when I can conscientiously do so,” answered Beatrice, “and when it does •ot conflict with my own and the happiness of otheis. I have made my decision, and nothing can force me to accept (any other man for a husband than Mr. Victor Raymond!” Victor at once intended to take his

departure, knowing hia presence was not desired by the banker. Each gased at the other for a Tew moments, and then Raymond Quitted the room with a courtly bow. Bvery morning after breakfast Beatrice cheerfully accompanied her Stepfather —who was greatly surprised—to the hall, helped him to get on his ovsr«oat, and took pains to place the collar fe correct position. The same courtesy was bestowed upon him by Victor Raymond. As soon as Sfarsden entered the bank, Victor would msslst In taking off the former’s coat and then place It in the ante-room, where he would abstract the secreted letter from jtoe tiny pocket Then he would return to his deek. Similar tactics were gone torough at the banker’s departure, which dually, after a time, aroused the attention of one of the clerks who began to tax Victor with It. When the banker came home, his ward would receive him with such respect as fct had never known before. Though yosslod, he felt flattered over Beatrice’s Moortesy. Hod he seen the girl as she m upstairs with the coveted piece of paper; close the door to her room and Xer the letter with a hundred kisses; n press It close to her wildly beating heart, he would soon have found tbs key to the mysterious change In her deportMeanwhile Marsden, who was well petlefted with their mutual obedience—■sr from dreaming of their meetings— Renewed his plan of making Count Bopell Us son-in-law with Increased energy, Mod was pleased with the quiet reslgnaHm with which his ward had dismlsnsfl tor rhnsrni knight. ’Count Boeetl was the moat important jshtor at" the banker's residence. The manat, although past Us beat years, was us ed the most envied of bachelor*. EQs jPMferao won aoaoowhat faded by Us

wild, reckless life, and hia eyes shone with an uncertain light, while his stature, though robust, waa not elastic. His comrades dubbed him the “Jolly fellow,” but those who knew better criticised him differently, end thought him capable of employing any means to accomplish a desired purpose and regardlesaly set aside law and order if they obstructed his path. He had met Beatrice during her vacations, and he resolved to marry her In case her fortune corresponded with his expectations. After becoming informed on tble point and also as regarded her family affairs, be introduced himself to Herbert Marsden, the guardian of the lady, explained hie Intention*, lie position, and by mutual understanding a compact was made. Count Bozell tried to gain Beatrice's love by conceited courtesy, hut she met his advances with polite complaisance and avoided his company whenever it was practicable. This indifference provoked the count Although be did not really love the girl, he we* chagrined at finding her so distant, and the less the favored him the more he redoubled his efforts. Her singular aristocratic beauty, the elegance of her appearance, and the gracefulness of her manners had captivated him until, at last —having her guardian's consent —he determined she should become his wife, either by fair means or foul. CHATTER IV. Beatrice sat at the piano and suffered her fingers to glide over the ivory keys aa if In a fanciful dream; expressing her inward emotions In wild discords or plaintive harmonies. Count Bozell was pleasantly affected by the noble profile of her beautiful face, and he began to study the outlines with the eye of a connoisseur. “You play divinely, Miss Albenson, and the execution, I dare say, comes from the heart” What maiden, at times, is not susceptible to compliments? These few words had their desired effect. Besides the count was quite an accomplished musician. He had heard all the world-re-nowned violinists, pianists and court singers, and bis criticisms were usually accepted aa final. “You love music, then?” she questioned with vivacity. “Paaaionately,” he rejoined, quickly, and, bending over the piano, he added, aa he fixed hia eye* upon her: “For hours could I listen. Why did you not grant me this great pleasure long ago?” “My guardian hates music of any kind.” “He ought to congratulate himself upon possessing such a discreet daughter.” “You are mistaken. Mr. Marsden is not my father. And, as to my discreetness, It is certainly not for you to say. Moreover, I think he has a perfect right to command silence if he so desires.” “Of course, quite true, I will admit; but It’* not every one who would deny himself music as you do; some would show obstinacy.” “Why so? I can satisfy myself during his absence.” “And by so doing, you always retain the good will of Mr. Marvden. Yon act nobly, wisely. You know, Miss Albenson, we all have our opinions, and I do not think there le much love lost between yon and Mr. Marsden. Nor Is this to he wondered at when w* consider that you were his hated rival’s daughter.” “Hia rival’s daughter? What do you mean? How could Mr. Marsden have a rival r “Listenl” and with this word his vivacious face assumed a mysterious aspect. “When your mother was about your age, two youths asked for her hand; the one a poor artist, the other a prosperous business man. Your mother favored the first, notwithstanding the latter proffered a true love and a faithful heart. For some years your mother suffered with patience the terrible fate of poverty and its consequent miseries, but waa powerlers to restore her husband’s impaired health.” “Poor mother!” Beatrice sighed eoftly. "They may have endured a penurious existence, but I think mother was not unhappy.” “If your mother coaid hear yon at this moment and could reply, she would undecoive you. She endured a very pitiful life, and accepted, after Mr. Albenson’e death, the helping hand of Mr. Marsden. Hie hospitality waa thankfully and gratefully received, and your mother never had occasion to regret the step she had taken daring the many years of her married life. Not so the banker. Although he bestowed upon hie wife the same love as in the past, hia disposition was not the earns as before. His amiableness toward hia fellow beings was gone, and he manifested this lack of attachment particularly towards yon. Yon are like a thorn in hia path, because yon remind him daily of hia more favored rival; your soft look Is as a stab to his heart and your lips have lisped to the father whom he disliked.” “Therefore,” asserted Beatrice, “he has hated me from the first Although I had no knowledge of this until now, my heart repeatedly told me that my stepfather did not love me.” "And Who can erasure hkn when we take everything into consideration. But how he can hat* yet with your charming beauty, ia\what pussies me.” “But why did be wish me back after my mother's death?” inquired Beatrice, with great emotion. “I will not remain any longer under a roof where I am not Welcome." “Dear lady, I hope you will not commit any such set without due consideration. I did not imagine yon would take my words so seriously to heart, otherwise I would bars spoken moee thoughtfully,” confessed the count cympsthetioslly. “Yon most not forget that Mr. Manden Is your legal guardian; yon can neither leave him without hi* ooneent nor oppose his authority. At each opposition ha

would adopt methods regardless of you* thoughts or feelings.” She covered her face with bar hands, then burst Into tears. Her frame shook with convulsive eobe. He stared at ha* a tittle surprised, a little disconcerted. <■ “Mies Albenson,” importuned the count, seemingly agitated, "you can .family liberate yourself from these bonds which render yon so unhappy." “How? What do you mean?" "By conferring this authority upon some other person. A married lady does not need any other guardian than her husband.” Her face suffused with crimson which, when It had subsided, revealed a look of suffering. Her thoughts flew to Victor Raymond. Could she marry Victor? Would Marsden ever give his consent? No, she felt certain be would never do that Count Bozell’a thoughts were turned in a different channel. “Beatrice," he said, excitedly, "for a long time a passion, strong and deep, has consumed me. Before I mad* yonr acquaintance you were my ideal, for whose possession I would willingly, gladly sacrifice titles and highest position. And at last 1 cannot conceal my love for you any longer, and now I lay my fortune and future in your hands. Oh, Beatrice, Beatrice, say you will not make my life miserable by a refusal.” His fluency did not lack the ardor of youthful passion; bat Miss Albenson remained unmoved. ‘‘Count Bozell,” she said, “I fully appreciate the high honor conferred upon me. But, alas! I am too humble and um assuming to occupy such a high position/ I am better fitted for an humble cottage Than for your fine castles, and I must thankfully refuse your honorable proposal,” and with a courtly bow she quitted the room.

CHAPTER V. Count Bozell entered the dining room exceedingly ill-chagrined. He waa presently conducted to the billiard room, where he found the banker. “Obstinately headfitrong!” muttered Bozell, “but she shall be eonqueredi” and a fiery gleam left his eyes. “Well, how does the matter stand, Ludwig?” inquired Marsden of hia friend, laying aside his newspaper. "Badly enough. Your ward Is a mystery to me. To treat me In such a wayl 1 can hardly believe it.” Then he repeated as much of the coavereation he had with Miss Albenson as he thought prudent. The banker clinched his hands; he had not expected such a result. “What will we do? Will your guardianship prove sufficient to force her into i marriage, or shall I retreat from the field? I am not accustomed to such treatment —at least, I did not expect It from one In your house.” “Don’t worry, Lndwig. Upon my honor as a gentleman, Beatrice shall yet implore you on her knees to make her your wife,” avowed the banker, with a sataulc smile. “If I could only humble her—she deserves it,” averred Ludwig Bozell. “You can do It, Please read this letter.” The count hastily grasped the missive and perused its contents. It was written by the Countess Stratmore, whose daughters had been educated at the same seminary as Beatrice, and it extended an invitation to Mira Albenson to visit them at their country villa, with the advice to travel by carriage as the trains mad* irregular connections. “What! and you will permit her to go?” queried Bozell. Countess Stratmore waa well acquainted with the count, and had politely but very positively requested him to discontinue his visits. “Of course; It is the beet opportunity for furthering our schemes. Beatrice will only be too glad to go.” “You may be right,” admitted BoselL “but how will that advance our plans? You don’t auppoee that I 1m a mind reader, do you?” “But. dearest friend, it is quite plain. I certainly expected you to be more adroit in love conspiracies.” Then after whispering a few words in the count’s ear, he sank back into the cushions of hie chair and laughed long and loud. Bozell gased upon him at first a little surprised, a little disconcerted, then actually shook with hilarity. “Good scheme—although an old one, It is well adapted to our case. It is certainly a fact that hatred prompts better Inspirations than love; eh, Marsden?” “Yes, count; hatred is a mighty swinging wheel in society. Beatrice will become your wife.” <To be continued.)