The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1906-01-27


blow to alma when he found himself rob
bed Of everything by his brothers In
justice What did he dot Where did he
gor'
II don't know. He is as proud ~ any
Of the family. and. when his brother
told him never to come near the place
again, he put on his hat without enc
word, and walked away with his head as
high as If he were the heir Of thousands.
We've never seen n sight Of him since
that day. and it's my belief we never
shah"
BAbette believed she had found the
keynote to Pauline's secret trouble. That
there was secret trouble she never doubt
for an instant. She had observed her
mistress too closely to be misled on that
point; she knew that nothing but some
mighty fear could cause those sudden
starts, followed by periods Of anxious,
heavy-brOwed thought. TO which she was
subject. Aud. when Babette went ap-
stairs, she reasoned the matter oAt.
Il have heard that she never knew
she was her uncie's heiress until after
her fathers death. What is more likely
then than she should have married out
there in ltaly-married some poor idiot
who was caught by her pretty facet And
then. when my lady suddenly hnds that
she is a rich woman, she Is tired OF this
poor fool, and runs away and enjoys her
life by herself. | believe | have found
the dark spot in my hne lady's life. II
this 10 as | think. | can take from her
her beloved dance and her riches al one
blow. How glorious that would beT
Her face glowed with savage salts
faction at the bare thought Of 50 COM
plets a revenge She left her seat BY the
bay window Of Pauline's dressing room.
/ and paced up and down. her excitement
being too great for her TO remain still.
The dusky gloom deepened until the room
was all in shadow. and presently house
maid came In and lighted the candles in
the large silver branches on the toilet
table.
As the door closed behind the maid Ba-
bette resumed her promenade. and came
to a sudden stop as her eyes rested on
| the key left in the lock Of a small bronze
Sox. This boz contained Miss Mailing ;
| private keys. She locked up very little
but what she did lock up she was rather
| particular about. and her keys were In
variably kept In this Indian bex. the
key Of which she carried ahJut with
/ her
| As Babetts stood looking with a dun.
/ fascinated gaze at the key, she heard
| the rustic Of silken skirts in the gallery
outside. With a swoop like a hawks,
/ 50 swift aud noiseless was il. she pluck
/ ed the little key from the lock aud slip
| ped il ints the pocket VI her dainty frill'
ed apron. The next instant Miss Mailing
| turned the handle OF the door and "a "
Babetts rearrangiRg the lace draperies
round the looking glass. She crossed the
room and went straight u the table
glanced quickly az the box, And thea
turned to Babette.
Have you seen the key Of this box p
Not to-day. mademoiseile.
Provoking She took 1t up in bet
hands and shook IT, Yes. the keys ars
inside. Babette. wish you not to leave
these rooms tonight until come ug
TO bed. l have dropped the key some
where ! don'r suppose il will be found
until We have daylight to help us-tt Is
so small Have your supper sent up ts
you here"
Very good. mademoisslle.
Babette stood with her hands held
tightly over her heart. listening to rh'
rustic Of the silken skirts along the gal
teryr aud down the stairs Then hsi
expression changed from strained atten
tioa 10 vivid triumph. She threw he
clasped hands high over her head. Sh,
locked both doors. closed one window u
prevent the blinds from Suffering. an,
then unlocked the small bronze box Sh,
laughed as she picked out a KEY frua
the bunch aad tried to unlock Pauline
large desk.
AT lastr' she whispered. a. the Isel
Of the desk few bacs
| re ~ ~aaFIa1sdh