Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-03

when 1 was twelve. and the excessive anx-
iety NJ. Beauhlliard displayed that should
be removed to another world All, what
grief l endure said the poor man to my
mother, If it should please lie bon Dieu to
remove our suffering chief. how could We
live" But when mother left the room,
charging him to watch my every breath,
he muttered, That 1 will. parbleau! and
hope each may be the last, the little viii
lain! All, mon Dieu. take him to Thyself-
OF If that be asking too much, just take
him from this world"
''Of course, 1 made haste to get well. and
IN his disappointment he resigned his post.
Poor old Beauhilliardr'
Mr.. Montjoy laughed heartily. We'll. L
must bid you good morning, Mr.. Dupre-
My profession is tyrant.'
He left the house thinking what a lucky
accident it was that had sent them so en-
tertaining a guest. and one who might
prove SO much more to them than guest.
He pondered, he was driven toward
EaStOn, whether he had decided on the
wisest method of discovering If the young
man was an imposter. for there was much
more than the valuable ring at stake.
Madame Dupre had long had a modest
fortune well invested for the ever-expected
son or grandson.
Well. indeed. would Bernard fare If he
could establish his relationship-far better
than he knew.
He had come into the house with no
idea of remaining longer than was neces-
sary to secure madame's ring. knowing
nothing of the fortune in store also for its
owner. Had he known of it. he would have
made an effort to learn more of the family
history. and forge proofs of his identity as
the rightful heir. His plan was to learn
the hiding-place of the real ruby and eX-
change it for the false one which he wore
In return he would receive from Blackhart
receipt in full for all he owed him, as
well share of the money which he
hoped the ring would bring.
What a pity that Mr.. Dupre cannot sit
out here with u.s." said Antoinette to her
mother. one evening when Bernard had
been their guest for week. Il never
heard of sprain keeping a person indoors
on such a perfect evening"
Mrs. Montjoy, the children and Mr..
Glover were sitting out on the terrace. The
moonlight falling on the beautiful mansion
on the hillside. with the grand old trees
on the east. and the winding road and
meadows on the west, made scene almost
of enchantment.
ing careful was the reply. Naturally,
he does not wish to proong his stay in a
strangers house and if cold were to settle
in the weak ankle. his recovery would be
retarded He certainly has shown himself
very considerable"
Mark scowled fiercely. He was the only
one in the family whom Bernard failed to
please. Had he been asked for a reason
he could not have given one. "I'll keep
STILL he thought until can give some
better excuse than a mere impression that
he is an imposter and a villain" He was
ever on the lookout for some proof of this,
and Bernard was quick enough to discover
Marks antipathy.
Could Mr.. Glover have seen the visitor
at this moment his suspicious would have
been confined. Instead of nursing his
ankle, he was gliding softly down the pas
sage that led to Madame Dupre'S rooms,
using one foot equally well the other,
and both with exceeding nimbleness Ar
irving at her door, he turned the knob and
found it unlocked, but his heart stood still
for a moment at the horrible squeak as it
opened. 'It never did that before, he
thought, ''for have taken pains to listen"
He waited few moments, but hearing no
stir. boldly entered the room. He knew
only that some Of the servants might hear
him.
He went directly to an antique cabinet
which stood between the windows. and
searched carefully through 1t without re-
apartments. There were two only, that
were locked, but these. even his skeleton
key would not open. His heart leaped with
exultation at the discovery, for, he rea-
scned jewels must be kept in these strong
places.
81 have found it, and 1t is mine! Black
hart shall bring me something to open
those drawers and the thing Is done"
Thinking that he knew just where to find
the ruby when he should return to the
room with the tool which his confederate
would bring him, he started for his own
room. He had almost reached 1t when he
met Cover.
CTo be continued.)