Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1906-12-15
DUKE OF
DEVIL
MAY-CARE
By HARRIS DICKSON
~0f-es--aQHe
CHAPTER xI.-Continued.
Author of
The Black VOLTS Breed" Etc.
Copyright, 1905, by D. Appleton & Coz

CHAPTER XI.-Continued.
1t seemed to those outside that Fitz-
gerald questioned Victor Labouisse
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 it 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
expectantly, but dreading to ask what
had happened.
For half an hour Anita stood lean
upon the prim old Creole garden with
the high wall around it. 1t was
misunderstanding wall, with broken
bottles sunk in the cement on its top.
Gaping the bricks with jagged spikes
OF glass. Of course, nobody could
climb such wall as that
She saw several men out there
Casey, Chaudron and Vance, thrashing
about among the s1lrubbery, poking
into the tangled honeysuckles, search
ing everywhere. Anita, terror-strick-
en-, watched the men pulling aside
the vines and peering into those damp
dark corners. What could they ex-
pect to find? 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.
1t 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
can't stay here tonight Mr.. Chau-
dron has telephoned his mother; she
is on her way to take you and Miss
Ashton to her house."
No, no." Alice protested; 'tI don't
want to go; 1 want to stay here 1t
would be deserving mother"
But you can't help her"
II don't care; l won't go-I won't
Leave her to me- Anita whis-
pered. I'VE will so; of course we
cannot stay here
IL must have been about two O'Clock
in the afternoon when Mrs Chau-
dron's carriage stopped in front of the
Hotel Louis lie Grande, and Mrs Chau-
dron stepped out-a dark little lady
who had once been very beautiful.
what had happened.
Where are the poor little dears %
she asked: and he led her to them.
Chaudron left his mother alone with
the girls in few moments Anita
open cd the door and handed out her
baggage to Woodford Vance
Put that in the carriage" she whis-
peiec; Alice will be ready. We are
trying to persuade her to go quietly -
Alice developed more of her moth
er's determination than one might
have suspected; Mrs. Chaudron and
Anit;s were quite little while in over
coming it, Presently they emerged
from the room and came slowly
tnlOuSn IEf. nall AHce made no re
sistauce until she came to the door
with the broken knob
oh, I don't want to go-I don't
want to CO." she cried, and held back
They forced her on as gently as
they could, past the room, and out tic
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 al
those garrish banners of purple ant
gold which Haunted from every bal
cony in honor of King Rex 1t wa:
early afternoon. and all the worlt
seemed dressed for a holiday Chau
drcn leaned on the carriage door
talR ing to his mother.
A uita tried to think. 1t all seemed
so unreal and SO terrible that sh,
could not comprehend. There mus
be some expiana lion of it, if sh,
could only think-could only think
But she could rot think In spit,
of herself she ke-t her eyes fixed OF
the window of tat dingy little cat
across the street. Therei There h
was. that same man. peering at he
again; a face of wrath and wildness
She shivered; it seemed uncanny t
be afraid of a man because he har
pened to look like Noel Duke.
Chaudron stepped back from tn
carriage and stood beside youn
Vance on the banquette. IAN right.
be nodded to the driver Home