Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-02-23
~ CHARLOTTE N. BRARMH

ca uIty POUNDS at q big sacrifice this
morning Sign this bill for seventy-fve
at three months, and the fifty is yours"
Mr.. Mallett's lip curled with contempt
at the shameless extOrtion.
You must feel very sure Of this
game" he remarked, ito be so-generous,
shall we call itr'
DAVIS listened to the innuendo with
placid unconcern.
Well, do feel sure Of II, and I'll
tell you why. Miss Mailing called upon
me the very first day our advertisement
OF your address appeared, and tshe was
in such an awful state Of fright about Il
that saw In a minute she was afraid
Of you for some reason or other. Put
ting what / observed and ma selle's
theory about that photo together, con-
cluded that we were on the right track
that your niece is dead--died six years
ago-and this woman IL nothing but an
impostor."
"Oh, yes, 1t Is sure enough" inter
posed Babette. But let US waste no
more time. l must get back to my fine
madame, and you, Sir Godfrey, will
have to say good-by to the charming lady,
your daughter, ~and make arrangements
for your absence. Here is the address
Of the photographer who took the pic
ture. That ends the arrangements so far
as / am concerned at present; the rest
remains with you and Monsieur DAVIS;
he will let me know how you 90 on in
your search. Good afternoon
DAVIS looked after her in surprise.
She had not spoken a word about the
need for haste if the marriage was to
be prevented; he had been expecting it all
through the interview, and she had gone
without once introducing the subject.
Perhaps she had altered her mind; any
way, that part of the business had moth
ing to do with him. Once more he open
ed his desk.
Here is-the money Sir Godfrey, and
here is the bill ready stamped to sign.
You will send me an occasional tele-
gram, If you come across any news; and
If you find another fifty necessary you
can have 1t on the same terms. wish
you a successful search, sir, and a speedy
return"
81 shall wire If necessary, not unless;
and you may depend upon my earliest
possible return"
He put his name to the bill, took up
the small roll of notes, babe the lawyer
good day and left the room without see
ing his extended hand.
"As proud as Luciferw muttered
DAVIS. not a bit abashed. Never mind,
the palmer and simpler the better"
Mr.. Mallett reached the noisy, busting
street and looked about him for a cab;
time was getting precious, if he meant
to start tonight; and he would like to
do SO, if possible-for an intolerable rest
lessness had come to him, and he felt
that he could not spend a moment in
peace until he knew everything.
To his surprise, as he looked up and
down the long street. Babette glided
from the shadow of doorway and beck
Oned to him.
II want to say dozen words to you
that / do not care that littl eman to
hear" she said, as he reached her sidt.
II have only two minutes to spare, and
l was afraid you would not leave in
time. If you find out that your niece is
dead. and that this woman is an i'm
postor soon enough let me have a tele-
gram to that effect by Wednesday morn
ing. l will not ask for my half of that
Ave thousand pounds"
Here was another complication.
why by Wednesday" asked Mr..
Mallett, in surprise.
Because she is going to marry Mr..
Dornton at Bishopgate church at II
o'clock on Wednesday next-all in secret,
you know-and l would not only give up
the money, but the best years of my life
to prevent itr'
Married to Dornton on Wednesday,
the very day after her birthday-at a
busy city church! Great heavens, what
does it all mean?" asked Mr.. Mallett, in
perplexity.
at means she Is fond of that young
man and will marry him in spite of ev-
cry one, If you do not prevent 1t,
must fly for my train-do what you
can"
He stood for a moment looking after
her retreating figure, tried to make out
what the news meant, then gave it up in
despair and bestowed his thoughts ex-
elusively on the arrangements for his alb
sence.