Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 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 of

nltoa Q. Keiffer to Co./’ “ Won By Strategy," ** The Tramp’s Stroke," “ No. 2,001," Etc. Copyright, I*o3. By Chicago Niwsrtm Chios.

CHAPTER X.— (Continued.) w. qiMtoaad (to (room, and tfcen reMtni to Ui fallow-conspirator’a house. XJmmm to entered the apartment* of the BMimei he poaeeeeed a key (Iren to y, Aa toon as his Mend, «U«mS good humor, appeared In the MMmA mm ; th« banker felt more at did everything peas off amooffi"Ym, m responded the count, locking Amt. “Thanks to the big purse you mi M far that purpoae.” ■ «n]j a trifle. Aa aoon aa Beegrim In your srife, you will receive, acmtof to our agreement, $250,000, half aha, I possess, the other half she will mriia after my death.” “ur-n well, my friend, I would not imkir any thoughts of death; you are little elder than I,” rejoined the count. "Bri, anyhow, it ie all right to me. Your •bep-da lighter’s dowry will lift the many muatgngaa encumbering my estate*, and miff net me once more on a good financial Inal lug By the way, Msraden, will M gaß me what causes tbla great maggdty towards Lady AlbenaonV It la a pwfcct mystery to me after you have fctckiiawiedged your antipathy against the

A tremor convulsed the banker. "1 loved the mother. She agreed to •uniy sea provided I promised to take emu sf tor daughter and that she should ■hms squally If wa had children, and sole toftr to ease wa remained childless. Wa fcal ms children. This promise binds ms •—4 cannot break ttl" **l comprehend,” responded Bozell. Hla (cawt was prompted more by prudence qu— cenviodon. He did not fall to observe the illogical action of hla friend—to make fulfillment of his given promise ■atf yat mat ahftnk from inflicting a great tsfsqr by desiring her to marry Count Beato. However, the count refrained fmm correcting Marsden’s false concepUsa sf duty. **fVVB you visit her to-morrow T' lnqtout toe banker. "Ym, I shall leave early. I feel aesurai 1 vrtn find her in a more amenable meed, end in time I hope to accustom tier to my presence at my bouse,” “What do you Intend to do with JuBas She must not return here, or the whale c flair will become known.” “I tore already taken the proper precantlana; she will not trouble us any aaore." At these words the banker raised bis Bead, hut, not receiving any more explicit ciptomlhnu was satisfied with the myetoriem answer and did not inquire aa to farther details. Ob the following morning, while Maredds repaired to the bank, Count Bo**ll aaemtoi his horse, and after having inall acted the groom to drive the carriage la advance, leisurely followed at a little distune*. Groat consternation and confmlan eras presented to their eyes as toap mitered the old building in the for-

Mademoiselle repeatedly asserted her taMence and claimed no* to hare the lahM recollection at last night's events ami iceased the cook of not haring lockaf the door. But the cook vehemently ami Irmly denied haring been negligent, -mhßa the Trench maid blustered and exyatpiattd, though she carefully avoided motioning that rihe had been Jn Latiny'* company the previous evening. Ttiemnt words were exchanged and the tyearrel was at its highest pitch when the aeant arrived upon the scene. The cook. te a stammering voice, tried to explain. Count Bozell quickly descended from his horse and in a stentorian voice •xcWfemed: "Wm is tshs way you serve me, is It? 1 each* to have known better than to tract rath people as you, but who can teti everything beforehand? And Marstiea himself was opposed to my taking lamil command!” and, storming terxibiy, he ran through the room and ostrwlufl the stairs. All had been risked in vain, he argued. (The birds bad flown! The trap was empty! The meshes of the net, which he •ad supposed were successfully woven, Asm! relaxed. What next? He was already heavily in debt, and the urgent dehsradt of usurers had been mitigated by |Ae prospect of a splendid wealthy rmarpiaga—it was Impossible for him to intact ■ too severe revenge for this sot. Mimstes upon minutes the count meditated deeply over the situation. The supmar which had been served the previous Evening remained almost untouched; the tad, too, bed not been occupied, only the ■ew-hnrned candle indicated a former Cmeoce. Finally the words escaped from tips, hatefully: *T must end will accomplish my object; hf ast in this manner, then by another. Mstrrden has tried his hand—should he Assr of this fiasco—well, no matter, ha wont harm one hair of my head, without Jeopardizing his own neck, and I will tut even that!” A tremor passed through his body, Crum the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, but with a firm step he left She apartment. “Ttst French maid has to go knmegi»triy!“ he announced, addressing the guana “Let her return to London on eta wit train. The missing lady will ■stsalitritiT return of her own accord.” However, the investigations did not utai say light upon Mies Albertson's mistsriniw disappearance. They could •at ee certs ip her whereabouts; the station agent positively disclaimed to have •alt tickets on that particular evening, •am to a gray-haired peasant and his m mod daughter. CHAPTER XI. tata mi bar mistress anxiously waited dor tab rsecner, after having made all Iritit timriy end cautiously the bok was I pg— seftlie tws ladies.

motioned with his left hand for them to flolkrw. Cautiously he conducted them down the stains. Beatrice repressed her breath, although her bosom heaved tumultuously; the fear of discovery choked her and aha was forced to use all her enorgy in order not to frustrate their escape. Noiselessly, Kenneth pushed the heavy oaken door opto. Darkness rested mysteriously over nature’s bosom, while sweet repose had enshrouded every living creature. Only a nightingale aung her melancholy, plalntlv# song, and th# stamping at a home’s hoof denoted the road which the fugitives were to follow. Kenneth untied the animal and said: “My lady, you had better ride the distance through the forest, as the road is very rough.” Beatrice nodded assent and Kenneth assisted her to mount. And holding the steed with one hand and with the other supporting Julia, he conducted them to the broad open road where he had left the luggage hidden in the bushes. Then he assisted Beatrice in dismounting and requested her to accompany Julia for a short distance to the inn, while he followed closely with the horse and haggage. Mrs. Lathrop welcomed the two women at the open door. “My mother, Miss Aibenson,” explained Kenneth. “She will see to your welfare.” “My lady, you are heartily welcome. Our home Is humble, but open at all times.”

At this cordial reception Beatrice’s anxiety vanished; gladly she entered the house, and sank exhausted upon an oldfashioned nofa, near the old gentleman, Humphrey Lathrop. White linen covered the table on which was served a Hght repast. “You are surely tired and huugry and cold, so please accept at least a cup of hot tea,” pleaded the hostess. Beatrice repeated the singular acacqualntance she had made with Kenneth, and expressed her since rest thanks for the service rendered. ‘‘Yon have performed a service for me, Mr. Lathrop, that I can never repay; but I will always remember you with my slncerest thankfulness,” she said. "And yet I need your further advice. Where shall I go? I will never return to my step-father's house, for I earnestly believe him to be in the conspiracy.” “That is so," affirmed Kenneth. “You will understand everything better when you are yourself again. But this day Is precious, Miss Albenson, for you are not yet in perfect safety and mint not miss the train.” “Of course I shall follow your directions Implicitly, as I know I cannot remain here very long. When shall I go? What shall 1 do? Give me your advice.” “To London; only there can you sucoeasfully baffle all attempts to find your hiding place.” “I will take the train for London. Though my means will not reach very far, I hope to gain a livelihood in some honorable way.” “Never mind that, Miss Albenson. At present you must not do anything that would have a tendency to make us known. The detectives are very keen, therefore they must not see you if it can bs prevented.” “But how can I earn a maintenance, thou?" “Troot to me; Srhere there's a will there’a a way.' W» will look after that, Mias Albenson. Bat It is time mother was ready; father and I will bring out tha carriage and pat old Bob to It.” A few minutes later Mrs. Lathrop and Beatrice hastily left the room. Julia flung her arms around Kenneth's neck and exclaimed : “Kenneth, my love, you are Indeed a faithful soul. What you have done this night, how you have behaved yourself toward my mistress, I will never forget.” “Then we will get married at London," he responded, lifting her up and Impressing a kiss. It Is not necessary to placard It on every comer. We can be married in one of the most frequented churches, where, among a number of couples longing for matrimony no inquiries will be made.” "What then? Our love is not sufficient to support us and the young lady.” “Too true, Julie. But then my father can aid us. He served for many years on the police fores and he certainly has acquaintances who can procure me a position. The young lady will remain with us until she has attained her majority.” Tor a few momenta the carriage stood before the inn. Kenneth’s parents accompanied them to the station, where Beatrice, Julia and Kenneth shortly afterward departed for London without any mishap. *•••••• Darkness was creeping over the ground and yet Victor Btaymond had not arrived at hie parents’ home, which was situated a Utile distance from the city. His parents did not entertain any anxiety as yet, as they presumed be was at his uncle’s residence, or, perhaps, had been invited to supper and then had gone to attend the theater. However, the old lady could not banish a vague presentiment of portending evil. Finally the door opened and Victor entered the room. Mrs. Raymond quickly raised her eyes from the work she was performing, and the hearty salutation which was on her lips died away when she gazed upon Victor’s haggard countenance. "Mother, I have come,” was all he •aid. and then tank heart-broken into a chair, covering his face with his hands. Gen. Raymond arose, full of sympathy, while the mother graciously knelt before her son. “Is Bestrios sick?” inquired tire. “The newt will break her heart,” he responded, wringing his hands In despair. “My son, yon seem to have lost your mind; what is it that offsets you so seriously?” interrupted tha general, enxtouatyjtsrtng open Victor’s wild, distorted

“Oh, father, how mm I endure It toy longer? I am dishonored, and you, my mother and Beatrice am alto diagraoed. It will kill ma. I have bam accused of theft! Oh, father, can you compNfceud the seriousness of this accusation?” The general’s face became aa pale aa a human fact could get end etui be a living one. “My eon accused of theft? Oh, this cannot be true. There la eome mistake. My son, you can surely prove to the contrary?" “No, no, I cannot! My position le bo peculiar that I am entirely powerless in the hands of my accuser. Nobody can disbelieve the charge.” “Victor, you are greatly excited and look upon the dark side more than necessary. My brother wiH surely help you with his advice and assistance.” “He has already denounced me,” cried the young man, “and has discharged mo from the firm.” The general battled manfully for a few momenta; then sank upon a chair. “ADd you, too, father? Do you aloe doubt me?” Victor asked in broken aocentA. “No, my son; I sen grieved to hear that my brother, who is usually a doss observer, pronounced such a hard sentence upon you. However, he Is not infallible, and may be mletaken. To me, your father, your word is sufficient. No matter how much the world may accuse you, my heart can never be misled.” “Thank heaven! You at least do not doubt me. The day shall surely coma when my innocence will be clearly established.”

Then he narrated —but did not mention his love for Beatrice and Marsden’s severe refusal, with which his parents were well acqualnted-r-the little comedy he and Beatrice had enacted. “Yourilid not act very prudently, my son,” remarked the father with n smile. “With a man like Marsden, besides being your superior, you should not have dared 6uch a risk.” “I fully understand it; but alas! it le too late now. Marsden was informed in pome way, and in order to take revenge, he contrived this cowardly trick by inclosing a twenty-dollar note in Beatrice’s letter, and after I had secured lb—believing only to find her answer —he accused me of theft to my uncle. Ha must have written down the number of the noite and gave it to your brother for identification. I will never forget the contemptuous look which my uncle cant upon me as he compared the two numbers. On account of their respect for you, Marsden and my uncle were satisfied with discharging me, without any further examination. I am compelled to meet my fate silently. Triumphantly Marsden wave* his sword above me, but the coward shall yet tremble. And Beatrice? Alas! mother, how much I will suffer by seeing her in that man’s ; house without protection, for I am forced to go “Then you will leave us?” interrupted the general deeply. “Yes; I cannot remain here any longer —but tall me, father, was I wrong in withholding our little secret from my uncle?” “Certainly not, my son. A young lady’s good name should never become complicated with such affairs. However, if time should demand an explanation, I will speak to Mias Aibenson and with her permission I will inform my brother. For the present we will have to wait patiently. But where do you intend to go?” “First I must see Beatrice, and then I will try to commence a new life at another place.” ‘>lf she will only remain faithful, Victor,” said his father. “Do you doubt It?” asked Victor, anxiously. “No; Beatrice Is ns pure as an angel; she will never forsake you,” reassured Gen. Raymond. (To be continued.)