Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-03-02

evidently come a long way for that pur.
pose. am charmed, 1attered and abash.
ed all at one time-charmed and fat.
tered to receive any one who comes a
distance to pay homage to art"
lie put his hand on his heart and bow.
ed with the air of a prince. His belief
that Mr.. Mallett had come to visit and
compliment art in his person was SO evil
IDENTITY genuine that the sensitive gentle
man felt almost unhappy to have to un-
deceive him; but time was pressing. He
had none for the observance of unneces-
sary politeness. He took the little photo
graph from his pocketboOk and held it
toward CASTELAR,.
believe you took that picture. Now.
want you to tell me where the grave
OF which this is a picture is to be found,
now you came to take the photograph,
whom you took it for, and any other cir
cumstances you can remember in connec-
ton with it."
The Spaniard leaned forward with his
hands on his knees to look at the pho-
tograph, but he did not attempt to touch
u. lie stared at it earnestly while Mr..
Mallett was speaking. and. when he had
nnlshed' he looked up with scared face
as he answered:
said something was wrong about
tnat,r anair at the, time. and now my
words are coming to pass. did not like
the )oo, can assure you; have an
antlpathy to graves and collins and all
that reminds one of death, and l would
not have taken that picture for untold
gOld' but that l was enslaved by the
beauty of the lady who asked me to do
1t. Monsieur has not seen such another
tan, shapely, with eyes, hair and skin
perfect, and her voice soft and sweet like
a silver bell. Sne coaxed me to do it
against my will, and crept into the vii
lage graveyard one morning at 8 o'clock
WIN my camera, before even the busy
sisters. re..out Of their, cells, and took
the picture for her. You may see how
imperfect the picture Is, how many
blemishes 1t has; and you must not Judge
OF my usual work by It, for my hand
shook with fear" The soul of the
artist was BUSTING the shade of the aris-
tocrat.
Never mind the blemishes, Senior Cas-
tellan," interrupted Mr.. Mallett. "The
photograph IL good enough for my pur-
pose. l want you now to tell me the
name OF the lady who gave you the or
der, the name of the convent where the
grave Is, with directions for getting
there"
Castellan's hands went up In dismay.
You cannot get thereI 1t would be
sacrilege. No man is permitted to en-
ter the gates but on two days in the
week, for couple Of hours at visiting
time, you understand, when the holy
sisters are all shut In their cells at pray
erS."
"Still must get to see that grave
before sunset tonight, and will give
two hundred francs to any one who viii
help me-"
1.-TWO hundred francs! II ID a large
rum here In villa Silentlo. There ia a
servant woman who does the orrands
Tor the convent ladies, with whom am
acquainted, who might be induced"
de paused thOughtfully.
That 10 settled then. And now how
Ler II 1t, and how are We to get thereH'
Mr. Mallett asked, riSing briskly from
CASTELAR, mOtiOned him back to hlS
Jeat.
LOU must leave this 70 me entirely,
monsieur. One ill-eonsidered step might
'alk your plan, and rob the servant and
ne Of our reward. 1t must be done
Turing veSpers, IL at all; and In the mean
line l must see this woman and make
ny plans. 1t 10 now, two, and, If might
Idvise refreshment and rest before we
tart on our expedition, monsieur would
'e more fitted for it,
Zone moment" said Mr.. Mallett az
Jastellan rose to call his daughter to
heir guest. "Tell me the name Of the
onvent before you CO."
1T is called the Convent of the Holy I
assumption, and it is but Eve minutes ,
walk from here"
And the name of the lady who or !
cred that Photograph
"Ah, that l never knew! My accom-
lice managed all the business part of
he affair, as she will do now, and the 6
ady's name was never mentioned" I
ySenoK CASTELAR, 5Went through the front s
DOR into the market place, pausing on r
he threshold, with his fingers on his >
ps, to say:
Until six and a quarter then, au re-
dr." c
Go be cOntinuedl
Ea,,~