The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-02-18

sire 90 change his fye-frano piecsg h
had ordered dinner, and, finding sh
vine very good. was calling for more
when he looked up and saw his EN-
ployers.
"Well, YOU are in a strange state!
he exclaimed.
Prosper replied that they had gont
to see friend and losing their way
had fallen into a pit. as if there weri
pits in Vesinet forests.
"Ah. that is the way YOU got GOV
cred with mud, Is it2' eXclclmed thi
driver, who, though apparently con
tented with this explanation. strong
ly suspected that his two customers
had been engaged in some nefariow
transaction.
The opinion seemed 20 be enter
tanned by everyone present, for 'heJ
looked at Prosper's muddy clothes
and then at each other ia a know
ing way.
But NJ. yerduret stopped all com
ment by saying:
Come on!"
"Aii right, monsieur; get iu while J
settle my bill; j win be there IN .
minute.
The drive BACK was silent, and
seemed interm'nably l,ug prosper
at first tried TO draw his strange com
panion into conversation; but, as j,
received nothing but ronosy'la5les in
reply, held his peace for the rest Of
the journey. He was again beginning
20 feel irritotcd at the absolute EN-
pire exercised over him by this mau
Physical discomfort was added tt
his other troubles. lie was stir anc
numb; every bone in i'm aoled win
the cold
Although mental endurance may bt
unlimited. bodily strength must i'm the
end give way. A yioen- effort is al
ways followed by reaction.
Lying back in a corner Of the car
riage. with his feet upon the frcli
seat. NJ. Verduret seemed to be en-
ioying a nap; yet he was never more
wide awake.
He was in a perpleNcd state oI
mind. This expedition, which, he hac
been confident, would resolve all his
doubts, had only added mystery 10 The
mystery. His chain Of evidence
which he had thought so strongly
linked, was completely broken.
For him the facts remained the
same, but circumstance had changed
lie could not imagine what common
motive, what moral or material com
plicity, what influences, c'uld have
existed to make the four actors in MS
drama. Nine. Fauvel Madeleine
Raoul and Clameran, seemed TO have
the same object in view.
He was seeking in his fertile mind,
that encyclopaedia of craft and sub
tlety, for some combination which
would throw light on the problem be-
fore him.
The midnight bells were ringing
when they reached the Archangel,
and for the first time NJ Verdurct re-
membered that he had not dincd
Fortunately Mime. Alexandra was
still up, and in the twinkling of an
eye had inprovised a tempting sup
per. 1t was more than attention.
more than respect, that she showed
her guest Prosper observed that
she ga1ed admiringly at NJ. Yerduret
all the while he was eating his sup
/ per.
You will not see me tomorrow
said NJ. Nerduret TO Prosper, when he
/ had risen 10 leave the room; but
will be here about his time to.mor-
row night Perhaps l shall discover
what / am seeking at Nlessicurs jan
didiers ball"
Prosper was dumD vita astonish-
ment. What! would N Nerdurct
think of appearing at a ball given by
the wealthiest and most fashionable
bankers in Paris? This accounted for
his sending TO the costumer.
Then you are invited 90 this ball?"
The expressive eyes OF NJ. Nerduret
danced with amusement.
"Not yet" he said, "but ! shall be-
Oh, the inconsistency of the human
nina! Prosper was tormented by the
most serious pre-occupations. He
looked sadly around his chamber and,
as he thought of NJ. Verdurets pro.
jected pleasure al the ball, exclaimed:
"Ah, how fortunate he isl To-mor-
row he will have the privilege of see.
ing Madeleine"
CHAPTER XI.
The Rue St. Lazare was adorned by
! the nnlatial rpsidanpes Of the Jandi