The Lamar register., 1902-09-24

thropical soul with the thought Of the
great good he was doing.
With Count Leon it was different.
When a man of his character dis
covers an opportunity to kill two
birds with one stone, he seldom fails
to take advantage of it.
He was in his element-a fortune
he must have, whether 1t came
through means of an enchanted dos
sier, allowing him at his will to de-
mand heavy tribute from the funds
the Prince of Monaco annually receiv-
ed as his legal share of Monte Carlos
profits, or from certain glorious dia-
mond fields in South Africa of which
we have heard more or less.
AS usual thing. when Count Leon
made up his mind with regard to
certain object, 1t was as good as ac-
complshed.
True, the cute Yankee had gotten
the better of him with regard to the
secret dossier business, but Villebois
had managed by manipulation to
catch a few OF the droppings.
Besides, that deal could hardly be
called closed, so long as single
chance renamed.
He reasoned, with apparent saga
city that since Merrlck had taken hold
personally on this night, he must have
the packet in his possession.
Hence, II Mark could only be en-
trapped, the papers might yet be Sc
cured.
OF course he would be on his guard.
| remembering the fate of Darragh, who
had been SO neatly kidnapped on for.
mer occasion, when somewhat SINH
lar conditions prevailed.
| Merrick was unconscious of his
danger.
| He seemed to believe that since he
had in his own mind washed his
hands of Jones great plan for the re-
demption of. mankind from the Ills
brought about by this mad desire to
gamble. he was no longer an object
of interest to outside parties.
Perhaps he would ere long be rude.
ly aroused from this dream of fancied
security.
Fortunately, Jones was there to
have an eye out for breakers-Jones.
who was not madly in love with little
| Miss Millions. and could therefore
keep his wits about him.
Mark, having won the sweet con-
fession Of love from the lips of Con
stance, might fondly delude himself
with the idea that his vessel had sur
vived the storm and reached safe
harbor.
Alas! many a gallant ship has gone
on the rockies at the very entrance of
the harbor and the cruel waves have
swept the forms of those beloved to
the very feet of sweethearts and wives
waiting upon the strand.
So no man can call himself actually
safe until he is within the port of
matrimony, since there is many a
slip 'twixt cup and lip"
| Merrick had passed through many
experiences, but there We're a few
more things for him to learn.
Not finding Constance about the
Casino. he sauntered into the gardens.
Fairy bowers, they certainly were.
and because adversity had struck the
bank for two nights in succession 1t
was no reason why the myriads of
colored lights should glow less WV
idly, or the endless profusion of flow
ers cease to exhale delightful per-
fume. Many people wandered about
in certain favorite paths. laughing and
chatting, while the music came in
halfmuHled notes from the Casino.
There were some places apparently
deserted.
Perhaps the cool wind from the sea
penetrated these points more keenly
than at others; or else there might
have been an absence of such pleas
ant surroundings in the shape of flow.
ers and benches inviting rest. as
marked the more favored localities.
Merrick began to cast his eye about
for a form beloved, one glimpse of
which would appeal to him-indeed,
like most lovers, he believed it pos
| sible to know whether his sweetheart
were near from the peculiar magnetic
| influence her presence would have
upon him.
! ITO be continued)