Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

i-- CAUGHT AT LAST; OB, THE FELON'S BRAND. TALL RIGHTS RZSMYZDJ CHAPTER XXI, fC MY FRIEND FROM PARIS." SHORTLY after six o'clock that evening, Raymond White punctually made his appearance at the West- end branch. He was not particularly pleased at being Compelled to encroach upon the scanty leisure which was of right his own but it was one of the business peculiarities of that unbusiness-like firm to transact its affairs at all sorts of extraordinary hours. Voices were audible in M. Parlandet's presence- Chanjber when Raymond knocked at the door—voices and hearty laughter—with clinking of glasses and a gurgling sound which he knew could only proceed from the pouring out of wine. "Oh!" he thought, "M. Parlandet has visitors this evening, seemingly. I suppose h i has forgotten all about my calling for instru, tion, The dis- arrangement, of his faculties by our p ppery friend's ruler appears to be set to rights by this time. Let us see." He kneel: i d at the door, and entered at M. Par- landet's reply. "Aha: deitr M. Vhite!" exclaimed M. Parlandet, who was appa-rentty in the highest possible spirits. Welcome, my instructor, my guide,philosopher, and friend! To hut am I indebted for this extraordinary pleasure? But stop. permit me first to present to you am->ti)er old ar-d very dear friend, just arrived from Paris, M. Jules, my brave, let me introduce rh- < t., \1. Yiiire. Enchanted to have the op)K.f.i'irty to known one to the other two gentlemen of and singular merit. The two IRIMI II-H/'C acquainted in these high-flown terms boweo è1Jl<l 'C, iked as foolish as men ordinarily look luifi r ■••'u-rar eijeumst;; rices, then eyed each otliP!- M. CL.rouilleux was a fresh- coloured fellow or aoout Raymond's age, also willi s. "č:U fie con>pii?\i>in and light-coloured hair In build, at.d <•>««! frame, even in facial expressions. the two might have pass< d'for brothers. The main difer<>iu:« lay in the eyes and general re- finement of leafure. in which respects Raymond had greatly the There v.as a downcast look about tJi, a kind of "by reluctance fairly and ovenly to meet another's «a/.e, which might per- haps have been set down to the bashfulness not usual among his nation, but which contrasted strongly with the free and honest, glance of the young Lancastrian. Further difference existed in their mode of wearing the beard, M. Chatouilleux's adorn- ments in that respect being cut to Paris fashion. The general likeness, however, .between the two was sufficiently noticeable to strike M. Parlandet, who exclaimed, looking from one to the other-- "Jules! thou and M. Vhite might be taken for twins. Astonishing, the similarity in your appearance 1 If I did not know all thy relations so thoroughly, I could swear that you were brothers at jeast. Btft dear M. Vhite," he continued, you have not yet told me to what I am indebted for the happiness of seeing you here to-night. Do not Suppose for a moment that I am not charmed: but it was a pleasure I hardly dared to expect." Surely, M. Parlandet, you must recollect that I Call by your own appointment," answered Raymond, II made in Augustine-close this afternoon, to receive Instructions for important letters." Ah, then you evidently did not receive my message,, asking you to postpone your visit till to-morrow," responded Pari, in a tone of great vexation. How' unfortunate that my carelessness should have put you to such needless trouble. And yet -1 telegraphed it before six. How was that ?" « You forget that I necessarily left the City early, to be here in time," returned Raymond. No message reached the Close before I came away." Tah ejaculated M. Parlandet apparently JXluch annoyed. Dear M. Vhite, I have to b.eg of you at the least one thousand pardons for bringing you here in vain. I congratulate myself again, upon the other hand, for the chance that procures me a. pleasure at once so precious and so rare. It is im- possible that I shall give you the instructions to-night. To-morrow, however, will do equally well. Come, as '1 you are here, let us spend the evening together—you, jny friend, and I. We will be very sober and very irational. You shall be our Gamaliel; we will sit at your feet and learn to be good boys. Jules, my brave, ying for another glass for M. Vhite." But Raymond had no desire to be M. Parlandet's guest, and to enact Gamaliel for the benefit of himself, and his friend. ParFs ready falsehood that after- poon, coupled with his language and his demeanour j pow, had started into life the old suspicions his recent good behaviour had almost lulled to sleep. The con- version was only superficial, that was clear-perhaps '1 even worse, and utterly hypocritical. Were this last gurmise correct it must have been for a purpose. Was that purpose to allay all mistrust ? Then, too, this stranger, with the downcast look-this intimate friend of M. Par'andet, never heard •spoken of before-who was he? Sudden alarm arose in Raymond's mind lest this Blight be the myjsterious Poi)icl-qui- i-appe," against whom he was so solemnly warned in the letter of his anonymous friend. These thoughts take minutes to write thpy fiew in a second through Raymonds brain; and his hand arrested that of M. Chatouilleux, about, at M. Parlandet's request, to ring the bell. Pardon, M. Parlandet," he said. I shall be glad if you will excuse me, as there is no business necessity to remain. I never pass the evening away from my family if it can possibly be avoided. Indeed, you must permit me to go now." He turned to take his hat, and missed a glance of intelligence exchanged between the two. The stranger pointed rapidly with his thumb over his shoulder to- wards the window. M. Parlandet nodded. Ah, well, dear M. Vhite," he observed with a sigh, ..S if the necessity of parting with his young friend were very cruel; what must be, must. Painfully sensible of the inferiority of our companionship to the society of your charming family, we yield to the ,ad decrees of adverse Fate. Some other time, and at J a very early date, we must hope that Fortune will be more propitious. Farewell, dear M. Vhite, fare- well 1" chap 21 He bad clipped his hand into his pocket as he spoke, but drew it out as rapidly as if it bad been bitten, bringing to view a little parcel well secured with String, sealed over, to prevent illicit cpenlng, witli pany meatf — -VN-tk 0

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termed a boat, and' iMTy cMfgetffoFm tfi6 teh-r But it was of so frail a character, that Fabian van Flewker had not the remotest intention of trusting his valuable person to its fragile charge. The sacrifice was not great, as middle-aged foreigners who wear blue spectacles are rarely of aquatic tastes. The cottage was approached at the back by the winding' road upon the river's bank, along which Raymond was coming. It was now half-past eight, and com- pletely dark. The moon would rise in half an hour, and he anticipated a pleasant walk upon his return to Richmond. He passed the little gate which led to the back of the cottage, and knocking at the door, asked to se& his employer. The servant showed him into the library-a cheerful room upon the ground floor-the light from whose windows streamed out upon the lawn towards the river. The merchant was at the table, writing. He raised his head in some surprise as Raymond entered, and his face darkened as the young man told him his errand, and presented the packet. Fool," he muttered, breaking open theseal., angrily. M. Vhite, pray take a chair." Raymond complied. Please tell me the circumstances under which M. Parlandet asked you to bring this packet." The order was embarrassing., Raymond saw clearly, or thought he saw, that Parl had made some foolish blunder; and thoroughly believing in the genuineness of,the tale by which he. had been induced to come to Richmond, was unwilling to plunge the unhappy iiounderer deeper into the mire. He stated the reason of his calling at Parl's chamb ers, and the excuse made by that worthy gentleman for not giving him the instructions. Van Flewker stopped him. "M. Parlandet did tell you tat te letters could be postponed till to-morrow without harm, you say ?" He certainly did," replied Raymond, hesitat- ingly. "Lie te first," inwardly remarked Van Flewker. "Von, at any rate, cannot. Afterwards, M. Vhite ?" I was then going away, when M. Parlandet sud- denly recollected this parcel. He said it was of the utmost consequence you should have it to-night, and I volunteered to bring it on at once." Lie te second," murmured the merchant. Any more, M. Vhite ?" chap 21 Not at present, sir," answered Raymond. "Very well, M. Vhite. Now, sir, listen to me. Tis parcel, vhich M. Parlandet considered of so much importance, vould have been as valuable yesterday, or von month hence, as it is now. His assertion tat te letters-von of tem at least-can be postponed, is incorrect, perhaps worse. That blunder, however, ve can amend. Here are paper and pens. I shall tell you vat I vish written. You vill do it for me here, at vonce." Van Flewker gave his sub the heads of the com- munication. Raymond jotted them down, drafted the letter roughly, submitted it to his superior for approbation, and copied it in a fair and clerkly hand. Very good, M. Vhite," observed the merchant, nodding approvingly; excellently and quickly done. I may take tis opportunity to say tat I am highly satisfied vit your conduct. You execute everyting intrusted to you vit promptness and ability as rare as tey are valuable. Continue as you have begun, M. Vhite, and you shall find Fabian van Flewker knows how to reward good service. Upon tis subject I shall shortly speak vit you again. Goot-night now, and tank you. I repeat, you have done me able service. Goot-night. He slfook hands with Raymond, saw him to the door, again wished him cordially good-night, and went in, leaving his clerk in the porch, astonished, delighted, confounded, almost at this unexpected termination to the interview. Praise from Van Flewker The thing was unex- ampled. Why only the other day Whiffles had said at the office that in all the time he had been in the merchant's service, he had never known him express unalloyed satisfaction with a single thing done for him by any of his subordinates. And here was high praise lavishly expended! It was hardly credible. even now. ——— CHAPTER XXII. RAYMOND PUTS A CASE. THE moon had risen when Raymond left M. van Flewker. and was sailing maiestically aloft through a cloudless sky, her clear rays lighting up the cottage and its grounds to brightness rivalling day, and casting by contrast into deeper blackness the portions of the landscape veiled in shade. Raymond walked rapidly along the path to the little gate leading on to the road by the river side. Arrived here, two figures —ladies—turned suddenly in from the direction of Twickenham, and stood before him. They were Gertrude and Natalie. A cry of recognition escaped the three at the same moment. The greeting was friendly and warm. chap 22 "This is quite an unhoped for pleasure," said Ray- mond. Unexpected business suddenly brought me to Richmond; but I had quite given up the thought of meeting you. I have only this instant left M. van Flewker." Indeed!" returned Gertrude, while Natalie nodded to Raymond, and walked slowly on towards the cottage. Tell me, M. White, for I have not seen you lately, do you think my father's health im- proved since our stay here ?" They had lived at Richmond then just three weeks. Hardly, I think, just yet, Miss van Flewker," re- turned Raymond, with a smile but consider the shortness of the time." Gertrude laughed. Of course, M. White: why, how silly I am You must pardon my foolish question for the anxiety I feel to see my dearest father in his former health. After all I know that his labour is chiefly for me." It was a little self-deluding fiction of this loving soul, that the merchant's pursuit of money was solely for the endowment of his daughter with a collossal fortune. Raymond sighed. The thought called up by Ger- trude's innocent remark was a discouraging one. He drove it resolutely away, and continued the conversa- tion. "I can understand your feeling, believe me," he observed. I judge of it as we estimate most things in this life-by my own sensations. I know how nervously apprehensive I am respecting my mother's health; and then I am a man, you know, Miss van Flewker, one of that stern sex supposed to be so blunt in its susceptibilities." That may be true of some men." answered the girl hastily, but not of all. Certainly not of you, for example," she added, gently. V^f thfi fivot time in their acquaintance the though* damigIA: « £ o. Ml. miudtftit wrbaoaJ* pot ia—