The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-12-06
By DICKSON
Author Of
The Black Vols Breed &c
1R~sO=a~9f~s-s9Rsso-a&
CcoryHghti sE. 10 D Appleton e Cal :
CHATTER XI.-Continued.


gerald questioned Victor Labouisse a
much shorter time than he had either
of the others. Then Fitz opened the
door himself and marched out, abrupt
and decided.
Mr.. Chaudron. I'm going to search
this house, Just to satisfy myself and
the young ladies. The sooner it's
done, the better. I'll have a house
full OF men here in ten minutes
And you have learned nothing?"
Fitz shook his head.
Felix Chaudron called WOodford
Vance aside. These girls ought not
to stay here" he said. This thing
is getting serious, and there's no tell
ing what We may find I'm going to
telephone my mother to come and
take them to our house"
For hours and hours. as II seemed
to Alice and Anita. men went tramp
ing through the hotel. slamming doors
and making a great noise. Alice
threw herself across the bed. and
listened. Every few moments. at
some unusual sound, she sprang up
expeetantly, but dreading to ask what
had happened.
For half an hour Anita stood lean
Ing against the window, looking out
upon the prim old Creole garden with
the high wall around t. Il was a
misunderstanding wall, with broken
bottles sunk in the cement on its ton
Gaping the bricks with jagged spikes
OF glass. OF course. nobody could
climb such a wall as that.
She saw several men ont there
Casey, Chaudron and Vance. thrashing
about among the s~hrubbery. poking
into the tangled honeysuckles. search.
Ing everywhere. Anita, terror-strick-
en-, watched the men pulling aside
the vines and peering into those damn
dark corners. What could they ex.
peet to hnd2 She kept her fascinated
eyes upon them and could not turn
away. Then they all came in; they
had discovered nothing.
Presently someone knocked. She
and Alice rushed to the door together
II was Vance and Chaudron. Both
men were dusty and covered with
spider webs from their search in gar
den and garnet. Both looked very
grave.
Miss Cameron" said Vance. "you
cant stay here tonight Mr.. Chau.
dron has telephoned his mother; she
Is on her way 10 take you and Miss
Ashton to her house"
NO, no" Alice protested; Il don't
want to go; l want to stay here. II
would be deserving mother"
But you can't help her"
Il don't care; ! won't COL won't.
leave her TO me-" Anita whis.
pered. "We viii go; Of course we
cannot stay here"
II must have been about two O'Clock
In the afternoon when Mrs. Chau.
dron's carriage stopped In front OF the
Hote! Louis lie Grande. and Mrs. Chau.
dron stepped out-a dark little lady
who had once been very beautiful
Her son hurrledly explained 10 her
what had happened.
Where are the poor little dearsg"
abe asked; and he led her 10 them.
Chaudron left his mother alone with
the girls. In a few moments Anita
opened the door and handed out her
baggage 90 Woodford Vance.
Put that In the carriage" she whis.
pered; Alice will be ready. We are
trying 10 persuade her 20 20 quietly "
Alice developed more OF her moth
er's determination than one might
have suspected; Mrs. Chaudron and
Anita were quite a little while In v
coming Il. Presently they emerged
from the room aud came slowly
through the hall Alice made no re-
sistance until she came to the door
with the broken knob.
"Oh, don't want to go-I dom
want TO go" she cried. and held back.
They forced her on as gently as
they could, past the room, and out to
the carriage. She dropped on the seat
and hid her face in Mrs. Chaudron's
lap.
Anita sat bolt upright on the front
seat, staring about her--staring at
those garrish banners OF purple and
gold which Haunted from every bal.
cony in honor Of King Rex. Il was
early afternoon, and all the world
seemed dressed for a holiday. Chau
dron leaned on the carriage door.
talking to his mother.
Anita tried TO think. II all seemed
so unreal and so terrible that she
could not comprehend. There must
be some explanation OF &. II she
could only think-could only think.
But she could not think, IA spite
Of herself she kept her eyes hxed on
che window OF that dingy little cafe
across the street. Therel There he
was. mat same man, peerlng az her
again: a face Of wrath and gildness.
She shlreredi e. seemed %uncanny 20
b. afraid OF a man because he hap
nened 10 look Hike Noel Duke.
ctaqdron stepped back from the
carriage and stood beside young
Vance on the banquette. AN right"
ho nodded 10 the driver. Home.