Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-04-24
CHAPTER XVII.
Spinning the Web.

some weeks ndu pdSStu
All along the line the Marquis found
himself in a condition to report prog
ress.
Mazette had removed to coy lodg.
ings in a respectable neighborhood.
and encouraged by the appreciation Of
this unknown but wealthy patron, she
had set to work most diligently upon
the task given her
With nourishing food. and hope fill
ing her heart, the future appeared
rosy-hued, and she soon began to APP
pear like the CHEEKY Mazette of old.
More work followed-M. Duyal
sounded her praises aloud and there
were those who already thought IT the
thing to follow in the footsteps of the
latest lion, SO that Mazette's future
seemed assured.
Then one day there was knock at
the door OF her studio, for success had
enabled her to have workroom such
as she lad longed to possess. 10. these
many years.
Upon opening the door the little min
iature painter saw tall. heavily
bearded gentleman, whose air was
somewhat foreign.
She straightway began to tremble,
under the conviction that this must be
her illustrious patron to whom she
owed SO much; for, be it known, M.
Duval had been artfully prevailed
upon to give as elaborate descrip-
ton of the noble Marquis as lay in his
power.
When her visitor spoke his voice
was deep and reassuring; and there
seemed to be some rare quality about
it that almost startled little Mazette.
arousing ill-defined and hazy memo
ries of the past which she could not
whip into any concrete form. try as
she might.
When the Marquis offered his hand
at leaving she was little confused
by the warmth of his clasp and the
eagerness with which he promised to
drop in again and see how the work
progressed.
When the Marquis left the modest
little studio he was surprised at the
glow of generous feeling that came
yer him.
God bless the brave little woman
II does man good to even bask in
her presence. Here. at least, Is no de-
ception such as stalks abroad in So
ciety's circles-she had only good
words for her fellow creatures. At
least let me be grateful for the priyi-
.lege of being able to secure her fu-
ture. This holy desire for her good
may In a measure Offset the still fierce
passion for revenge. At least 1t gives
me Joy, an experience had never hop
ed to feel again
His other plans were maturing.
Evidently the Marquis was in no
hurry-neither is the satiated cat
when she has caught mouse that she
cannot devour.
.-iyermere's losses at the gaming Ia
bles were not all-indeed. 1t seemed
as though circumstances had taken
fiendish delight in combining to smlte
this son of fortune at a time when he
could not find means of resistance.
The several companies controlling
South African mines in which Liver.
more had investments. and which had
been paying good dividends. were
bought up by some new combination.
backed by unlimited capital, and
there was grave suspicion that the
small shareholders were about to be
frozen out in way perfectly legiti-
mate yet shockingly cruel.
And there were others. too.
Really, the doughty captain was
passing through an experience that
promised to make an old man OF him
II long continued.
Twice the Marquis had called upon
Fedora. and ON each occasion exerted
himself to fascinate as he had never
before done in all his life.
Affairs were in this state, and the
Marquis could see the possible tragic
outcome of his systematic assault all
along the line, unless his nerve failed.
or something occurred to break the
stern resolution by which he had
bound himself.
A few more visits. he believed. would