The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-04-06
NQUbkeCk, me GO|fTQIlgT.
BY SEWARD w. hopkins,
Author of Jack Robbins Of America" ''In tho
China Sea-" Two Gentlemen Of
Hawaii" "0n a False
Charge" Etc.

CHAPTER II.

had finished with Graglscourt, but
not with Nita Bariotti. The impulse
to see her again was too strong to be
controlled, and that evening | again
occupied a box in Madison Square
Garden.
But was doomed to a disappoint-
ment that was keen in the same meas
ure as my former eagerness. Instead
OF Barlotti. there appeared Oh a 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
Golfers and in thick voice said:
Ladies and Shentlemens: It haf be-
come my sad duty to inform you dat
you viii be disappointed great dis efen-
ing. De bright star, de Won shining
jewel Of dis great aggregatl-one Of
mammoth attractiones, win not be
able to appear before you dis efening.
Signorina Barlotti haf been suddenly
taken i'll, and my regard for dis young
lady is so great dat hat insisted dat
she remain quiet under de care of a
doctaire, until she haf fully recovered.
But If she is better tomorrow efening,
50 dat It will not do her any harm,
den, maybe, viii allow her to come
once more and gif you pleasure. My
friends. thank YOU"
Bowing again, the Italian disap-
peared.
| did not tarry long. With feeling
of keen disappointment left the Gar
den aud went to my hotel AS | was
going up the stairs to my room | met
Major Simmons coming down.
The major accompanied me back to
my rooms, and | turned on the light,
rang for night waiter and ordered
some cigars OF a brand that | knew
the major liked. and also some wine.
These comforts Of a bachelors life
having appeared, the major lighted a
cigar and ensconced himself comfort
ably In large armchair, resting his
head on the high back, and throwing
one leg over the c%ler, settled into a
lazy position.
Now go on he said "Tell me
what you have been doing and where
you have been hiding all day"
| thereupon told him all that | had
done. leaving out no detail
While / was speaking the major
looked at me gravCly. and when | had
finished he merely blew his cigar
smoke into the air ard 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 81 impression
that | could not shake on. Nor could
resist the impulse to investigate
Nor L."
"You?" | jumped from my chair in
excitement. ~Youl"
Eyes. When GraYiscourt held that
photograph II his hand detected eyi-
dences of agitation in his manner
The impression the whole thing gave
me was very like yours-the impulse
the same. This morning rose early !
and visited Trinity Cemetery. In the |
afternoon visited 301 Mott street,
the Bureau OF Vital Statistics.
Il saw just what you saw, went on
the major; and had Il not been for a
chance meeting. would have reached
the same conclusion that you have"
My breath was coming hard from
me now.
"Well?" | gasped
when left 30l Mott street saw
Graviscourt's carriage. Thinking ii a
strange coincidence that he should be
In the vicinity. followed it. It stopped
before one of the most miserable
places in the Italian quarter In the
lower portion Of the building was a
drug store. over the
door was the sign II. Tortoni
saw Grayiscoart get out Of the car
riage and enter the drug store,
hurried past, hoping to get a look into
the window. was not disappointed
saw the proprietor greet Gravis-
court as an acquaintance. and they
went into q back room. When l re-
teTned the carriage was still there,
and woman was in attendance at
the store. The conference between
and Tortoni was a long
one.
IF I am not Mistaken may be,
because dissipation changes faces
but IL am rot mistaken L. Tortoni
is no other than DR.. Charles Sigmotta,
old friend"
"Sigmotta! 1 exclaimed. "The man
who signed the death certificate OF
he Graviscourt child?'
'The same"
This news was so overwhelming
hat sat silently smoking for sew
sral minutes. In fact. but little more
vas said by either of us. After a few
minutes the major reached over,
poured himself out some wine, drank
t, and took his hat as If to 70. 7
saw him to the door, and promising
o meet him at the Lotus Cluo the
day, | returned to my room.
where | threw myself down on the
ouch In the alcove. utterly lost in the
sensations that the ma
or's story lad aroused.
A,no~at... .. 49,, .,~o,,,frn .,,ot /