The Afro-American advance., 1899-10-28
and make the wedding trip a sort Of

business trip, too. But--confound IL
you know the girl, and she has simply
backed out until the papers come. It's
all right. though, and in two weeks
the matter will be arranged
81 eoRitated little and then said:
"'Better have the settlement drawn
while you are waiting. suppose You
intend TO give Marcia everything, and
you might make the will and then have
Dupray sign the settlement. or at least
have IL all drawn up so that il can be
signed when the time comes. am free
10 tell you that ] want 10 draw that
PAPER. for while your foreign son-in-
Iaw may be the best fellow In the world,
and willing TO promise everything now,
am going to put British law about his
neck. so that he will have 20 keep his
promise by-and-by II he should want to
change his mind
THE old man laughed.
AZ know you were always in favor
Of that young doctor, and he's good
enough fellow, but now that better
man has come along and wants my
girl. and she il willing. he's going TO
have her. But it's right that every
thing should be done in proper form,
and I'll bring Dupray down in day
or two and we'll fix the things up
Three days later, one afternoon, Je-
roy and the Frenchman came into the
| Office. Duprny was as polite as one
could ask, and yielded a quick consent
10 all the suggestions ! made with re-
lation TO the papers 10 be executed:
but, somehow, as I'began to write.
felt that he was not friendly with me,
and that he laid II at my door that these
papers were being brought 20 head so
certainly before the marriage.
"You may be sure that when that
idea took possession Of my mind, was
stubborn enough 10 determine that the
papers should be drawn and signed that
day: and when Leroy proposed that
they should leave me to my writing,
while they went and had smoke,
said:
"'No, smoke here, and then when I
want you to sign ! shall not have TO
run after YOU
"And they sat down again.
LEROY took out some cigars, and Of.
fered one TO the Frcnehmnn and one
TO me. declined, as I do not like to
smoke and work and the Frenchman
declined. saying that he preferred q
pipe, produced from his inside pocket
handsome meerschaum, and proceed
ed 10 fill and light II.
Remember that this was more than
five years since my brother-in-law had
told me of his foreign experience, and
half that time.
"Wcil. the two men smoked and I
wrote. but all the time with that un-
easy feeling that sometimes comes
when you are not In accord with your
surroundings. and II was with sntis-
faction that after an hour completed
the first draft of the paper and laid
down my pen TO read II TO the high con-
tracing parties.
AS | turned in my chair with the
agreement In my hand, Leroy threw
away the stub Of his third cigar, while
the Freuchmnn removed his pipe from
his lips and drew nearer TO me To listen
carefully TO the legal bars that he knew
| was preparing 10 keep him out OF
the money. ] felt pleased 20 think that
IL was so, and perhaps my face showed
n trace too much Of that pleasure.
"As I began to read. the man re-
placed his pipe in his mouth, and from
| time Co time blew clouds OF soft. aro-
matte smoke in my face; but as was
smoker myself. | determined not to
allow this TO disconcert me. as had no
doubt he intended II to do, hut read
steadily on. When an agreement had
been covered, I would pause and look
at Leroy for hls approval, then con-
tinue 10 read.
AT one of these pauses. for no known
reason, my eyes turned upon the pipe
held loosely IN the Frenchmnn's hand
as he sat listening ~ my side, and my
heart leaped into my very mouth as I
saw that II was Turks head. small
and with flowing hair and beard, with
an open. laughing mouth. wherein
CLEANED a single small gold tooth
cit was the pipe that my brother-in-
law had described to me as having been
stolen by his valet.
"'Mny ! see your handsome piper
said !, extending my hand. while my
eyes studied the face of the French
man. IT certainly is beautiful one.
and very odd, Where did you find it2'
For an instant the fellow hesitated.
his mouth twitching. then he handed
the pipe TO me, replying:
al purchased Il In Paris some years
ago. from friend who imports them.
I think II rather a curio in It's way my
self
at surely Is said. for never saw
but one like II, and that belonged 10
naval officer. Lieut., Merriam. II was
stolen from him. think. in Paris
THE mans face famed in an instant.
"'Whatr he cried. do YOU accuse
nae of stealing this plpe9 DO you call
me a thiefe'
AS he spoke. the door OF the outer
office swung slowly open, and a man
entered who advanced directly TO our
group. looked mp in surprise. but
before l could speak the newcomer
said
"'No, Felix. he does not: hut do.
This Is my pipe, and this Is the man
who stole II from me Ave years ago!'
And with Il quick motion he seized the
article In question, And now will you
kindly cail the police9'