The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-01-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

inquiries after the health or Madame
Midas, he went into Ballarat in search
sf Pierre. On arriving at the Waffle
Tree Hotel he was received by Miss
Twexby in dignifed silence, for that as
rute damsel wa beginning to regard the
fascinating Frenchman as a young man
who talked a great deal and meant moth
ing.
He was audacious enough TO wiz her
acart and then break it, so Miss Twsx 10
thought the wisest thing would be to keep
him at a distance. So vandeloup's bright
smiles and merry jokes failed to call forth
any response from fair Martha, who sat
silently in the bar, looking like a grabbed
sphinx.
rs my friend Pierre in?" asked Van
ieloup, leaning across the counter, and
looking lovingly at Miss Twexby.
The lady intimated coldly that he was
IN, and had been for the last two weeks;
also that she was sick of him, and she'd
thank NJ Vandeloup to clear him out
all Of which amused vandeloup nightly.
though he still continued to smile coolly
sn the sclr-faced damsel before him.
CASTOR, however, failed to persuade
Pierre to accompany him round to buy an
outfit. For the dumb man lay on his
bed, and obstinately refused to move out
Of the ROOM He. however, acquiesced sui
ienly when his friend told him he was
going to Melbourne. so Vandeloup left
the room. having first secured Pierre's
Knife, and locked the door after him. and
hen sailed forth to buy his shipwrecked
friend a box and some clothes.
In the afternoon Vandeloup went TO
the lake and espied a little figure in
white, and seeing that it was Kitty, he
strolled up to her in a leisurely manner.
She was looking at the ground when he
came up, AID was prodding holes in the
spongy turf with her umbrella. but glanc-
ID up carelessly as he came near. Then
she sprang up with a cry of joy, and
throwing her arms around his neck, she
Kissed him twice.
II haven't seen you for ages" said
Kitty, putting her arm in his as they sat
iown. II just came up here for a week,
and did not think I'd see you."
"The meeting was quite accidental, /
KNOW" replied CASTOR. leaning back laz-
lily ''but lone the less pleasant on that
recount. Wouldn't you ike to leave
Papa and lead a jollier life?" asked Van
3eloup, artfully, lin Melbourne for in
stance"
IL don't KNOW she faltered. look
ng down.
"But / DO, Bebe," whispered CASTOR,
putting his arms round her waist you
would like to come with me-"
why? Are you going?" cried Kitty,
u dismay.
Il think / spoke about this before" he
said. Il never say anything / do not
neap." answered vandeloup. with the
ready lie on his lips in a moment "and
{ have got letters from France with
money, so / am going TO leave the Pac-
bolus.-
And meY' said Kitty, tearfn.y.
THAT depends upon yourself, Bebe,"
ne said rapidly, pressing her burning cheek
against his own your father would new
n consent to my marriage and / can't
take you away from Ballarat without sus-
~picions, So"
"YesY' said Kitty. eagerly. looking at
him.
You mnst run away" he whispered,
with a caressins smile.
"AlopeT"
For a time, yes" he answered "listen
next week you must set me here, and
1 will give you money to keep you in
Melbourne for som time then you must
leave Ballarat at once and wait for me
At the Butte-cup Hotel in Gertrude
street, Carlton you understand"
yes" faltered Kitty, neryopsly: 81
{ une-stand-"
And you will Gomez he asked anx-
lously, looking keenly at her, and press
Ing the little hand he held in his own.
"Yes." she whispered. cIinging to him
with dry lips and a beating heart: II
will GOMEZ" Then her oversfrained "a
ture gave way, and with a burst of tears
she threw herself on his breast.
"Ny dear Bebe," said vandeloup, kiss
ing her white cheek. you must go hops.
now, and get a little sleep: it will do you
good"
"But you:" asked Kitty, in a low
voice, as they walked slowly along.
"Oh. l." said NJ vandeIoup, airiIy; az
am going to the Waffle Tree Hotel to
see my friend Pierre off to Melbourne
You are now on your own response
5ility, my friend,r said Vandeloup to
Pierre. as he stood at the window of the
railway carriage; 'for we must part,
though long together have we been. Per
haps / will see you in Melbourne; if I
30 you viii find / hSve not forgotten the
past and. with a significant look at the
dumb man, vandeloup lounged slowly
away.
The whistle blew shriIiy, the last good
oys were spoken, tn. guard shouted "An
aboard for Melbourne" and shut all the
doors. then, with another shrek n puff
Of white steam, the train, like a long,
1.-the serpent. glided into the rain and
darkness with its human freight.
AT last l nave rid myself of this dead
weight" said Vandeloup. rs he drove
along the wet streets 70 Craig's Hotel,
where he intended to stay foT the night.
aand can now shape my own fortune.
Pierre is gone, Bebe will soon follow, and
DOW I must look after myself"
Kitty left a note saying she was going
down to Melbourne to appear on the
stage Meanwhile. the nan who was the
primary cause of all this trouble was
working in the Office OF the Pactolus claim
with a light heart and cool head CASTOR
had really managed to get Kitty away.
in a very clever manner inasmuch as he
never appeared publicly to be concerned
in ii. but directed the whole business Sc
cretly. He had giren Kitty sufficient
money to keep her away for some months
In Melbourne. as he Was in doubt when he
could leave the Pacfolas without being
suspected of being concerned in her dis
appearance. He also told her what day
to leave, and all that day stayed at the
mine working at his accounts. and after
ward spent the evening very pleasantly
with Madame Midas. Next day Mcintosh
went into Bailarat on business, and on
returning from the city. whore he had
heard all about it, be saw ysndeloup come
out Of the Office. and drew Up in the trap
beside the yo1sg man.
AHA. Monsieur" said ysn..e:oup. gaiIy.
shooting q keen gianre az Archie: you
have had = pleasant day"
"Mayhs yes, maybe 10" returned Nc
Intosh. cautiously. ~fumbling ir the bag
~there's ~osthing much IN the town, but
I've gotten q letter or no from France"
"For freF' cried Vsndeioup eagerly.
holding ~. as hands
ar f,- ~r1 o1.n ,.or,fI IL 10 y, ~~,o.