Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-07


you've got to get that picture back, somehow.
don't care how. Give me that note. Give It to
me. Cecilia sha'n't have It till you get the minia-
ture."
"How in the deuce can get it,"
when is he going to meet herr" asked Fanny
at nine think"
well, while he's out them you'll have to break
into his place and steal It and bring It here I'll
put It back Then I'll give Cecilia the note and
say found It on the floor"
'I can't see how that"
mo Of course you can't But can. It'll be
in her trunk, won't It? And she can't accuse me
of having. taken tat least not right away I'll
you're dreadfuy virtuous all at once" retorted
"It's worried me all the evening-taking that
picture. And I'd never have done it II 1t hadn't
been for you"
We'll I like that Who found 1t first, anyway.
and"
TO with me. You've got to get the picture.
Cecilia dear is that you? You must be tired to
death. Come in and let's get to bed right Off"
sweetly finished Fanny, hastily concealing Pretty
mans note in the folds of her robe de chambre.
In all probability the somewhat imperfect scheme
Of Fannv's would have worked In the fashion she
anticipated had it not been for reason of which
she naturally, could have known nothing. 1t had
beon Ceceia's romantic custom, since the painting
of the miniature to take 1t from its hiding-place
and to bid II the tender whispered goodnights she
might not properly bestow on the original. She
did this in the kitchen at a moment when Fanny
under the impression that Cecilia was saving
her prayers. In consequence, on this particular
evening, Cecilia Francesca went to her trunk to
perform the last sacred rite Of what had been to
her peculiarly hannv dav Her fingers touching
the familiar place did not feel the miniature She
hurriedv dashed ont the contents OF the trunk her
hosom heaving with anxiety. She could not hnd
the token. For moment Cecilia stood petrihed
with shame and fear Then suddenly the truth
Hashed in upon her Fanny! She must have taken
IT, No else could have The gentle Cecilia
shook with torrent Of anger the like of which she
had never known. like wild nocturnal avenger
she flew at Fanny in her bed.
Glow dared vou!" she cried. snatchng the he'd
clothing from the terrified conEnirator 20: how
dared vou!" She shook her violently Don't lie!
know took It! Won stole 1t! vou-you-vou
thief hate voul Where is It? Where is it?"
Cecilia ter15ed the collaDsing Fanny from her cot
and towared above her. covering on the floor. Its
crue' How could you! Beast!"
Fannv essaved to sneak. but Cecelia looked so
toll and terrifying in the dim gaslight of the
that. for the life of her. she could not get out a
word
''Beast!" repeated Cecilia. with awful tragi-
calitv.
FANNY recovered herself slightly. "Cecelia," she
quavered. .~'''t was only Joke. =" q --ga ~
Pnt ceoe1'a's raee was sDent. She, Eat down
weakly the trunk-ton and sobbed Long. shfv-
erine drAadfu convusive sohs 20 it's mean
Cruel Fanny, how could you! o dear! dear
dear!"
To describe the mental state of FANNY is hardly
necessarv. She dared not sneak she Law wretch
edv her he'd for half an hour. in her ears the
monotonnus means NJ the girl there the
trunk Sometimes FANNY was enraeed. sometimes
renentant sometimes historically fearful and some
times full OF nervous laughter I shall die II she
teens this much LONGER" she assured herself.
Final1v she leaned from her cot. flung on wraDper
and srncrs tied her head in scarf and nre-
cipiatelv left the She ran straight to Fritz
Fritz. Fritz" she whisnered as she heard
sleenv sounds within his uuarters. ''Frltz!"
"Fannv! What the-what is it? Are you ILL.,"
"Come ont here. uuick!"
In moment the astounded Allen emerged. his
hcad tousIed and over his pajamas bathrobe
"What earth-"
Don't talk cecelias discovered that the ric-
ture is She's made an awful scene. She
nearly tore me limb from limb ! was so fright
ered nearly died She's sitting there now moan
ine and going on like maniac. never saw such
fool We've rot To do something"
"Do something" weakly repeated Fritz.
''Rieht now DO sometime If YOU could hear
her My heavens. never had such time in>my
"Put wh-wh-what are you. going to do?" he
asked helnIessIv
eve thought it all ont. There's inst one chance
to save orr lives. You've got to 20 and get Lucius
andetell him Ceceia wants to see him"
Allen easned. Lucy. But-o, my good Lordl
Bnt supposar--"
"You needn't sunnoee anvthin~. There's inst
one chance! Thev're both silly about each other,
and II he gets there and sees her. he'll try to COM
fort her and-go-now. Tell him to bring the pic
turA. too"
The thoroughly confused Allen Departed, rub
hing his ewes He found Tmcius still sitting In a
da7e before his little table the portrait in his hand
"Say," FRITZ began awkwardlv. "cecelia has sent
for vou She wants IN SEQ YOU to-night-now.
Don't walt She's in a hvrrvl"
wants to see me?" asked Prettyman.
''Now--right off--in the studio. I don't know
what for. Come Bring the miniature"
go. saw Lucy the Piy wants vou. Come on"
And he half draeeed half nrshed the older
from his room. feehly protesting. Fanny stole be-
hind them on tiptoe
Don't mind what she saws" encouraged Allen at
Cecelia's door. "You go in and make it all right
with her!"
Without listening to Prettyman's vague RAM
hlings' and distressed protests. Fritz opened the
door and showed him In.
"Reach in and eet the kew and lock the door,
the outside" commanded Fanny at his elbow,
The key turned In the lock-
NOW. we'll have to stand here and walt
and" began FANNY.
"And prav" finished Fritz
From within came low murmurs-then long ST.
lelces--then again the murmurs With chatter
ing teeth and shivering limbs Fanny and Fritz