The Lamar register., 1902-09-17
They surveyed the plunder dubious

HSnteu at tne opportunity VI Ddchih6
such a load-but then Merrick was an
odd lot. taken in all. and as we know
had particular reasons for disliking
great accumulations of riches Just at
present.
Strangely enough, the idea had not
yet presented itself to him that the
same end he had in view might be ac-
complished, and the obstacles brushed
aside through an accumulation or
wealth on his part that would counter
act the malign influence Of those de-
tested diamond mines.
Several men appeared Just outside,
and to their tender mercAs the prec-
ious sacks were intrusted. while our
two friends walked just behind.
The four entered a vehicle and drove
off.
Among those at the station Mer-
rick saw the Russian bear. but Count
Leon had vanished, having little
bag of his own to look out for Just
then.
When the treasure was snugly de
posted in the hotel safe. and a receipt
for the same slowed away in Jones
pocket book. Merrick endeavored to
dismiss the whole matter from his
mind, and occupy himself with affairs
more in keeping with mis- own private
fortunes.
Like all lovers, Merrick endured all
the doubts and fears that go hand in
hand with things of this sort, and in
his case there was reason for an un-
usually large crop-still, lovers come
on in endless numbers, and will con
tinue to do SO up to the very end of the
chapter. for no man is willing to ac-
cept some predecessors experience as
a warning to his own feet, but must
needs try his own conclusions.
How would it end?
The scene in the cabin of the yacht
came vividly before him again. and he
could hardly believe that even such
an egregious failure would discourage
| so persistent suitor as Count Leon
when there were millions at stake.
How could Constance be the more
surely protected against this insidous
and unscrupulous enemy?
Two ways presented themselves to
| Merrick.
The first was to take the bull by the
horns and on the least provocation
| give the African explorer his Quietus;
while the second would cause him to
take the girl and her fortune under his
name, in fact to marry her as soon
as she would agree.
Long Merrick deliberated while he
savagely chewed the end of his cold
| cigar-one of two evils must be ac-
| cepted-it was either the risking of
his life in a duel with dead shot. or
| the thrusting aside of all his scruples.
"All right" he said to himself final
| ly, with grim resolution. "one of us
must go under. If ! should marry her
now he might make her widow in
a week. Evidently he left his luck In
the Sahara, and | can meet him on
equal terms. Kismet as the Moham-
medans say, 1t is fate. A little smoke,
then, to propitiate the goddess of des
tiny. Perhaps the next time Captain
Leon the Valiant and myself come face
to face with weapons in our hand1
something not exactly down on the
| bills VIII happen. And, deuce take 1t,
| | for one will welcome the change.
and lighting his cheroot he sent rings
| of blue smoke circling up toward the
decorated ceiling, where the said god
| dess with her balances seemed sitting
| in judgment.
At breakfast Jones made a PROPOSE
| ton.
1t was to the effect that they go over
to Mentone bag and baggage.
Merrick eagerly welcomed the
| change.
o,,I
man could ask greater blessing OF
Providence than to saunter about
those terraces of Mentone, along the
Condamine road winding up the steep
hill to the fortress, under the guarding
shadow of Mont Agel and Mont
Bataille. past the famous palace of the
Grimaldis or the Tete du Chen, and
having in his company the girl he
loved best in all the world.
So they went down about noon, after
Jones had managed to bank the pro-
ceeds of his previous nights great vic
tory, much to the relief of the hotel
proprietor, who had been rather un-
easy over the fact that such fabulous
amount of gold and notes was known
to rest in his safe.
Merrick was uneasy, because among
the vessels at anchor near by he had
discovered the steam yacht of Sir
Lionel, which he had very good cause
to remember with displeasure.
1t was very natural for this unprin-
cipled English cousin of Constance to
come to Monte Carlo, where all of his
class gravitated at some time during
the winter; but, remembering what
had occurred recently at Nice, Mer-
rick had sense of impending evil
come over him.
The cleaning gradually gave place
to the darkness of night-a night long
to be remembered by this strange COM
nunitY of Monte Carlo since IL would