Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-29
CHAPTER X.

lock tx. listening 70 the EASplnE DOT
as n slipped into place.
Mother did come here with us.
didn't She Anita?" Alice sobbed.
Anita frightened her clasp about The
younger girl II seemed a thousand
years ago-last night-a thousand
miles away. confused entanglcd
memory Of some strange land. some
vanishing castle. where men wills
pered. and where a pair Of tense
black eyes stared az ber from a win
dow
Instiuctively her thoughts turned
90 Noel Duke. ~. indeed they had
ever strayed from their usual abiding
place She forgot his neglect. forgot
her resentment. she felt only her
weakness. and hoped he might be
near She would appeal TO him: even
n ne did hate Mrs. Ashton he would
come for her sake He would com
pei this shriveled little mummy 20
tell TIE truth. Yes. yes she would
so TO the street door and call him.
Come Alice" she said: and half
supporting her cousin. Anita moved
decisively toward the door az the end
OF the hall
But n that were Noel. why did he
sit in that window across the street
and stare? Why did be look so pale
and haEEard7 What was &c that ne
and Victor were talking about so
earnestly? What agreement was
there between them2 Why should
Noel De $50 anxious 20 hide some
thing? Why did ne agree not 10
come back 90 this house II Victor
would not tell7 What was 80 that
Victor could tcn2 Victor had said
ladies must De protect. what did he
mean by thst2 What woman Gid Noel
mean 90 harm2
A thousand jumbled ideas flashed
through Anita's mind. no. no" she
stopped herself at the threshold But
she must do something. Monsieur
Nictor-wrctchcd little creature
kept watching her with his toad's
eyes. and Alice was worse than help
les
I shall cali the police" she said.
vaguely.
What Tor does madenoiselle wish
ze police Victor Inquired. blandly.
with palms outsprcad.
Il want the police," she almost
screamed back 20 him.
"oui, oui. ma'm'sallc: have gem
In ono minute" Victor bowed with
the air of doing foolish thing IN or
der % nacify child HIpIeetf
Hiplcet, De called rum quick.
fetch 20 police FOR ma M sellc-"
Hippolyte came FROM the court he
low and hohh'ed up the stair. his cap
In hand, Doe had not un1er-too1.
Anita advanced 20 meet him at the
door. Arain she sto0neI. a choking
fear ciutching az her throa.
The man across tic street" she
thought. aud shuddered. what had
he done2 Perhaps he knew-per.
haps."
She raised her band on. no. no.
Monsieur Victor. do not call the po-
hce-yot-"
Victor shrugged his shoulders hope
lessly; was ever man so bcset?
Hippolyte had scarcely disappeared
before he came back again. Anita
turned 20 him os she might have
turned 20 any trihe which promised
explanation.
Two gentleman. zcy wait" he said
and handed Anita their cards-''AGr.
Felix Chaudron. Mr.. Woodford
Vance Anita read the names aloud.
and duly wondered how Woodford
Vance happened 20 be here
oh" Alice exclaimed. Il know
Mother wrote him a month ago; he
was TO meet us here. and surprise
you"
She tore herself away from Anita
sped through the hall. down the stems
and without noticing strangers
presence, ran straight 10 Woodford
Vance.
"Oh. I'm so glad you came" she
burst out; something terrible has
happened Mother was here with Ms
last night Now she's gone. and we
cant find her anywhere Come
She caught his hand. led him stuun-
bling up the stair round the balcony
and into the back han.
The young Creole followed sien-
der fellow with tiny nustache. and
indolent-looking eyes. Victor greet.
cd TINS man with elaborate poIiteness,
for he knew the Chaudrons
They came upon Anita standing in
the hall where Alice had left her her
deep eyes gazing through tho doorway
She held out her hand TO Woodford
Vance without a word.
What's the matter?" be asked |
after he had hurrieEy presented
Chaudron
don't know-exactiy; we came
down from Vicksburg last night WIN
my aunt She went 10 sleep in that
room think It was that room"
No. Anita, it was not that room "
Alice corrected
Tn sure that was the room" AMI.
In insisted. and now she isn't here. |
she isn't in the house These neonIa
say she did not come"
Impossible, How foolisht" Vance
was practical business man. and
would have laughed outright but for
Alice's hysterical distress. Felix