The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-12-18
CHAPTER /.
Conspira tors.
NIX ONSIEUR JACOBI--the Bar
I'M oness de Nantillev'
AVA Monsieur jacob bowed with


de NantiIle inclined her head without
raising her eyes, and the introduction
was complete. The introducer, Mrs.
Wright, turned away with a little sigh
Of relief to continue her duties Of hos
tess. Monsieur Jacob and the baron
ess had never been to her house before,
and the astute little English woman
was not prepossessed in favor Of the
foreign lady. Monsieur Jacob, of
course, was irreproachable. Every one
knew the name Of the new musician,
whose violin had insinuated him into
every circle in London where the fine
arts came under improbable discus
sion.
The introduction took place in the
bmaller drawing room. which was al
most deserted at the moment. Indeed,
there was only one other person pres
ent. This was a man with hair and
pointed beard, mustache and overhang-
Ing eyebrows, as white as snow. The
head was that Of an old man-such as
one pictures the ancient patriarchs to
have been-but the body was straight
and the movements, without being
1.-THE, were far from denoting infirlnity.
This was Laurance Lowe--a mossless
stone whose rollings days We're done.
People whispered to one another that
In days gone by Laurance Lowe would
fam have ceased his rolling ways. but
that providence had willed 1t other
wise, sending a courageous and fairly
aA4n1lfrvo,,+ x-<.,nc rntdfnr- Tfo11fot1-
ant Wright--to set the stone once mere
a-going, and to gather for himself the
moss. Whatever mar have passed be-
tween the white-haired man and the
CHEEKY little matron-stili comedy and
hearty-in those forgotten days was
only known to themselves, and neither
ever referred to it. People wondered
why Mrs. Wright should trouble her.
self with this silent old man, who CON
tributed in no way to the entertain
ment os her guests. They considered
him an old bore, though he never dis
played the least anxie;y to be honored
with their attention never yawned,
never confessed to fatigue. and never
partook in a general conversation.
It was to him that Mrs Wright
turned with her ready smile, which,
however, had something different in it
when her eyes met him.
"Coffee?" be said. interrogatively,
without moving mustache or beard,
and offered her his arm.
Thanks, Luuranee, WILL" replied
the little lady. with grateful smile.
During the last twenty years these two
had gone through that little ceremony
many hundreds of times.
They passed into another room and
the Baroness was left alone with Mon
sieur Jacobi He had possessed him
self Of her engagement card, and was
now studying 1t, pencil in hand Every
curve of his body, the very manner in
which he held his pencil, his eagerly
bowed head, were exprestive of the ut
most Difference and respect.
The Baroness had not yet raised her
eyes from the polished floor. Her
strong white hands, beautifully shaped
and incased only in open-work mittens,
lay idly upon her lap. There was
something in her whole attitude, in the
repose of her fair face, in her down
cast eyes, which.was forced and unnat-
ural. Hers was indeed q beautiful
lace, sculotured on lather smaller
scale than Engllshmen admire, pale
and very calm, with red, level lips and
close set eyes. Her soft, colorless hair,
almost white in its exquisite fairness,
was arranged with extreme simplicity, !
but she wore 1t parted upon me side,
In accordance with fashion now obs0-
lete IN England. She could not have
been more thar twerty-five years OF
age, despite her repose Of manner,
which was almost that Of matron.
When Monsieur Jsccbi had made
sure that they were alone, the express
sion Of his keen face underwent re-
markabie change. though his attitude
remained unaitered.
'Wh0?' be asked in low-pitched
voice. and with an unpleasant smile
s'who is the old fossil who wears an
eyeglass in one eye and sees with the
otherg" The Baroness raised her calm
blue eyes. ana met Jacobs sardonic
smile with contemptuous stare.
''Your conscience must indeed be an
evil one Jacobi," she said, slowly.
"You are forever suspecting the most
innocent and harmless Of treachery
and double-deaIing
Nevertheless. Baroness. who is that
mani"
.sThat man, my friend, is one Lau-
rance Lowe--an English radical, which
means nothing. He has by this time
completely forgotten the existence OF
both of us. should imagine TINT his
whole attention ana time are given to
the management OF his own affairs"
"You know him. theni" said jacob,
seating himself lightly and gracefully
near the Baroness.
by reputation only"
'You know some one who knows
him welIa'' persisted The vlolInIst
calmly.
II doI'
"Ah. Nay I srioulre"
The Baroness suddenly cast down
her eyes, and the white lids closed over
them. A faint pink tinge appeared on
either cheek,
II obtained my information from Mr..
Charles bfistley." she said in an in
different voice
Brother Of the Mistleysg
Brother Of the Mistley"
''Who is daily expect d ia England.
with his chief, Colonel AvrIghtT'
The Baroness bowed her head In ac.