The Holly chieftain., 1903-01-16
.AlIdkeeA, he UufIQneI.
By SEWARD W. HOPKINS.
A.thss 4 ..J.c. Rsss,ss 4 A.sr.ea.- ..ls ths
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eaawsil,'' 'Os Palse
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cssynsAt. rsss. By Ronrrr Bo.s-..s sess.
II.

had finished with Graviscourt, but
not with Nita Barlotti. The impulse
to see her again was too strong to be
controlled. and that evening 1 again
occupied \ box in Madison Square
Garden.
But was doomed to q disappoint-
ment that was keen in the same meas
ure as my former easerness. Instead
of Barlotti, there appeared ON \ small
balcony. near the bandstand, the same
greasy. mean-looking Italian. who had
led the trApeze queen away on the
night OF her successful debut. This
creature bowed low to the audience
that had poured their silver into his
teoners and In a thick voice said: ~
Ladies' and Shentlemens: It hat be-
come my sad duty to inform you dat
you will be disappointed great dis efen-
ing. De bright star, de Won shining
jewel, Of dis grest. aggregAti-ons. Of
mammoth Attractiones, will not be
able to appear before you dis efening.
Signorina Barlotti haf been suddenly
taken Ill. and my regard for dis young
lady is SO great dat hat insisted dat
she remain quiet under de care of
doctaire. until she haf fully recovered.
But If she Is better tomorrow efening.
70 dat it. viii not do her any harm.
den, maybe. 1 will allow her to come
once more and gif you pleasure. My
friends. thank YOU"
Bowing again, the Italian disap-
peared ~, 4
did not tarry long, With . feeling
of keen disappointment left the Gar
den and went to my hotel. As was
going mp the stairs to my room met
Major Simmons coming down. a. 3
The major accompanied me back to
my rooms. and turned on the light.
rang for a night waiter and ordered
some cigars OF brand that I knew
the major liked, and also some wine.
These comforts of bachelors life
having appeared, the major lighted a
cigar and ensconced himself comfort.
ably in a large armchair. resting his
head on the high back, and throwing
one leg over the other, settled into
4 lazy position.
Now go on" he said. Tell me
what you have been doing and where
you have been hiding all day" NJ
l thereupon told him all that ! had
done, leaving out no detail. .Bt
While was speaking the MAJOR
looked at me gravely, and when 1 had
finished he merely blew his cigar
smoke into the air and said nothing.
Il couldn't help It," said in apol-
ogy. That story Of yours about the
lucky uncle and the remarkable SINH
larity in the faces left an impression
that 4 could not shake OF. Nor could
| resist the impulse to investigate" ;"
: "Nor L.
\ "You?" 1 jumped from my chair in.
excitement. '.You!"
"Yes. When Graviscourt held that
photograph In his hand detected evi-
dences Of agitation In his manner.
The impression the whole thing gave
me was very like yours-t.e impulse
the same. This morning I rose early
and visited Trinity Cemetery. In the
afternoon l visited sO1 Mott street,
the Bureau OF Vital Statistics.
4 Il saw just what you saw" went on
the major: land had It not been for
chance meeting, would have reached
the same conclusion that you have"
My breath was coming hard from
me nov.
"Wellf" gasped:
When left sO1 Mott street l saw
Gravlscourt's carriage Thinking It q
strange coincidence that he should be
IN the vicinity. I followed 1t. It stopped
before one of the most miserable
places In the Italian quarter. In the
lower pertion of the building was
dirty-looking drug store. Over the
door was the sign. l.. Tortoni'
saw Grayiscourt get out of the car.
riage and enter the drug store. I
hurried past. hoping to get look into
the wiAAow. was not disappointed.
! saw the proprietor greet Gravis-
court - an acquaintance, and they
/ went inAo . back room. When re-
turned tAA carriage was still there,
and : wonan was I'm attendance at
the stare. The conference between
GrayisccHrt and Tortoni was long
one.
III ana NOT mistaken--I may be,
because dissipation changes faces
but II I am not mistaken L. Tortoni
| Is no ether than Dr.. Charles sigmotta,
GraviscOurt's old friend"
"sigmotta!" exclaimed. '.rhe man
who signed the death certificate Of
tho n~vS~<1,,,S< ohttN